Some Where I Belong

Chapter 4

This pain haunts me like a ghost

Zack put Cloud down and took the keys out of his pocket to open the door. "Hold on. Hm, ok it's opened!" Zack then picked Cloud back up and carried him inside. / He's acting like we just got married. / Cloud thought as they entered. He looked around and saw a beautifully decorated home, full of art and expensive furniture. "Wow..." Cloud said softly. Zack smiled. "Nice isn't it?" Cloud shook his head. / It really is nice. I've never been to a place like this before. / Zack shut the door, then carried Cloud to the front room and sat him on the couch.

"My parents work for these well established companies, so they have the money to make our place look nice, you know?" Zack said looking at an amazed Cloud. He laughed.

"Oh, come on man; don't act like you've never seen a house this nice before."

Cloud shook his head. "I haven't..."

Zack looked down. "Oh. Well that's ok." He looked back up and smiled at Cloud. "So, let's talk."

Cloud looked down and shuffled a bit. "About what?"

"Well, I was hoping to talk about what's going on with you. I want to know why you hurt so much." Zack said looking at Cloud.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

Zack looked down. "I understand, but you know I'd really like to help you." He sat down and scooted closer to Cloud. "It may not seem like it, but I can be a good listener."

Cloud twitched. /I just can't...confide in Zack. My crush of all people! But, he does seem like he's interested in knowing. It might be nice to get some things off my chest, but if I tell him and Sephiroth finds out, I'll be in more trouble than before. /

Cloud looked up at Zack slightly. "Um, well." He played with the hem off his shirt and looked down. "What do you want to know?"

"Why you're so unhappy."

"Uh, well I'm sure you'd be unhappy too if you got beaten up every day at school."

Zack looked at him. "Why do they hate you so much?"

"I honestly don't know. Maybe, it's because I'm a freak." Cloud said looking up at Zack. "If I were them, I'd hate me too. Everyone hates me."

Zack shook his head. "I don't hate you."

"Yet."

"Oh, come on man. I'm not like those other guys."

Cloud nodded. "Yeah, I know...That's what I like about you." / Wait! Wait! Wait! What am I saying? /

Zack smiled. "You like me do ya? Well, you're not so bad yourself."

Cloud blushed and looked down.

"So, what else is bothering you?"

"Um, that's basically it. There's nothing else." Cloud said looking nervously.

"What about your home life? You're family? How is it?" Zack asked.

Cloud thought about his brothers and the poverty they live in, but he wouldn't think of telling Zack, because he was too embarrassed. "It's great..." / Lie of the century. /

"Your lying aren't you?" Zack looked at Cloud. "I know that just bullying wouldn't have caused you to have such a big break down like you did."

"How would you know...you've never been bullied."

Zack nodded. "I know, but I also know your brother, Sephiroth, and from what I've heard, he isn't the nicest guy around."

"Did Angeal tell you that?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah, he did. Along with a lot of other terrible things. But, it's obvious just from looking at you, that you're not well." Zack said touching Cloud's hand. "You're so fragile." Cloud pulled it away.

"I-I know I have mental issues ok! But, you pointing it doesn't make me feel any better." Cloud said. "Angeal probably told you I belong in a straight jacket, right?"

Zack shook his head. "No! No! That's not what I meant." Zack sat right next to Cloud, so their hips were practically touching and looked Cloud straight in the eyes. "What I meant was when the last time you ate was?"

Cloud froze and thought back to Monday, when he had two bites of salad and a Pop-tart. / Do I really look physically sick? What should I say? /

"I ate this morning." Cloud lied.

"What did you eat?" Zack asked.

"Is that really important?" Cloud asked and stood up.

"Well yeah, because I think you're lying." Zack said and looked up at Cloud.

Cloud began shaking a little. "So, you think I'm a liar?"

"I don't think you're a liar, but I know you're lying about eating this morning. Angeal told me today in the library about Sephiroth and this little agreement, he made with you and your brothers. Angeal really didn't want to tell me, but it bothered him to know what his best friend is doing to his brothers." Zack said and stood up as well.

/Seems like Zack already knows a lot about me. Oh my god, he probably thinks I'm such a loser! He probably thinks I'm a crazy, ugly, freak! /

"That's none of your business." Cloud said backing up.

"Well, I'm making it my business. Do you expect me just to stand around and just watch as someone dies?" Zack said and stepped closer to Cloud. "Remember, I'm the one who saved your life today."

"Yeah?! Well, I never asked you to!" Cloud said and began running towards the door. / I've got to get out of here! I can't take this kind of interrogation. / He was about to run out the door when he was pulled back by Zack on to the floor.

"Hey! You're not going anywhere!" Zack said as he struggled with Cloud on the floor.

"Get off!" Cloud yelled.

"No! Not until you tell me the truth." Zack said holding Cloud down.

Cloud struggling, kicked Zack in the stomach accidentally, which made Zack roll off him. "Ow!"

Cloud panicked. / Oh no! Oh my god, I can't believe I just did that! Ah, I'm such an idiot! / Cloud then got up quickly and ran down the hall. Zack stood up slowly. "You're determined to get away aren't you? Oh, by the way, that was a good kick!" Zack said and then followed Cloud down the hall.

Cloud stumbled into the kitchen and looked around in a panic. / Ah! Ok, where are they?! / He looked up and saw a knife set sitting on the counter by the sink. / There! / He stood up quickly and ran over to the knife set, when Zack had walked in. Zack looked over to the counter and saw Cloud grabbing the biggest knife in the set. "Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?!"

Cloud was about to pierce himself with the blade but Zack grabbed him by the wrist and began to struggle with him. "Let go of the knife!"

"No! Just let me kill myself and get it over with!" Cloud yelled struggling with Zack.

"Not in my house you're not!" Zack yelled back.

"Then I'll go outside!"

Zack then grabbed hold of the knife and pulled it out of Cloud's hand. Cloud then tried running again, but Zack had him by the wrist and pulled him back. Cloud fell on the floor which caused Zack to go down with him. Zack lost his hold on the knife and it flew into the air as he fell. He looked up and saw the knife coming down at them. He quickly covered Cloud's face with his arm and the knife fell point first into Zack's arm.

"Ah! Man that hurts!" Zack yelled and quickly pulled the knife out of his arm. "Ah! You know that was almost your face!" He said looking down at Cloud. Cloud felt terrible, he couldn't believe, he was the reason Zack got stabbed in the arm. He felt tears begin forming in his eyes. / It's all my fault! I'm a walking monster! /

"I'm so s-so sorry." Cloud said scooting away from Zack. "It's all my fault! I've caused you more trouble in the last five minutes than anyone has caused you in your life!"

Zack grabbed a towel and wet it in the sink; he then wrapped the towel around his arm. "No, it's my fault I should have held on to it tighter. Ow."

"NO! If it wasn't for my stupid actions, you wouldn't be hurt right now! I should have never been born!" Cloud then began crying hysterically. Zack turned to look at Cloud and sat down next to him on the floor. "Hey, it's ok. Cuts heal, it's no big deal."

"Yes, it is! I'm such an idiot!" Cloud said and began pulling at his hair.

"It's ok. Please, calm down." Zack said reaching out to Cloud.

Cloud slapped Zack's hand away."No! I HATE myself!" He then began crawling away from Zack quickly, but Zack pulled him back. "Stop running! Please, just talk to me!"

Cloud shook his head. "Sephiroth was right! I am the reason mother left! No wonder why she didn't love me! Because, I'm such an embarrassment! Look at me how could any love this!" Cloud said pointing at his face.

Zack tilted his head. "No, Cloud don't say that."

"I'm a monster! I only exist to ruin lives and for other people's amusement!" Cloud began hyperventilating.

Zack wrapped his arms around Cloud's waist and pulled him towards his chest. "That's not true." Cloud tried to keep his breathing consistent, but his sobbing made it difficult. "The only thing that can stand to be around me is my shadow!"

Zack looked down at Cloud's face and once again, he saw the tragic beauty he had seen earlier today. "You know, you're really beautiful." Cloud's face turned dark red. / What...what did he just say?!/ Zack then nuzzled his face into Cloud's hair. "Yes, very nice." Zack smiled. Cloud felt like he would throw up. / Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! / Zack slowly leaned into Cloud's face and then...

"What's going on here?!"

Zack quickly released Cloud in a panic and looked up to see Angeal looking down at them. "A-Angeal! Hey! What-what's up?!" Cloud looked up at Angeal as well. / Oh...my...god!/ Cloud felt himself beginning to shake in fear. / If Sephiroth finds out...Oh my god! /

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Zack?! I tell you a little about the boy and his situation and then I come home to find you groping him on the kitchen floor?!" Angeal yelled.

Zack looked down embarrassed." I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Angeal put his hands on his head and paced. "If Sephiroth were to find out Cloud's here, oh gosh! What is he doing here anyway?!"

Zack looked at Cloud then back to Angeal. "Well, he came over, because...we have an English project to do!"

"You can't do it alone?" Angeal asked.

"We're partners!" Zack smiled confidently.

Angeal raised an eyebrow. "And I suppose groping your partner on the floor is part of the project?"

Zack blushed. "Um, well no."

"Didn't think so." Angeal said. "Cloud I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Cloud looked down and nodded. He was about to get up, but Zack pulled him back down.

"Oh come on, man! It's not his fault. Please let him stay tonight at least." Zack begged.

"Does it take a whole night to finish a project?"

"Yes!" Zack smiled.

Angeal shook his head. "I don't know, Zack. I don't want the reason for Sephiroth's next bitch fit to be because Cloud stayed here over night."

"What Sephiroth doesn't know won't hurt him." Zack said and smiled. Cloud looked down. / Yeah, but it might hurt me. /

"Please! Please! Please! Can we keep him?" Zack pleaded. "Look at his face? How can you say no?" Angeal looked down at Cloud, and in his eyes he saw the sadness and hurt. Angeal sighed, he couldn't deny him.

"Fine, we can keep him." Angeal said.

"Aw, thanks! Angeal, I love you man!" Zack said and hugged Angeal. Angeal pushed him off. "Yeah, yeah. Now go to your room."

Zack grabbed Cloud by the hand and ran with him upstairs. Angeal shook his head and sat down in the front room. "I just hope Sephiroth's not missing Cloud right now."

Zack lead Cloud down the hall into his room. Cloud looked around and saw that Zack had a real nice bedroom; it was well furnished and neat. / I can't believe I'm in Zack's room! Ah! / Zack led Cloud to his bed and sat him down. "Sorry, if that English project excuse was a lame excuse." Zack said and chuckled. Cloud shook his head. "It's fine." Zack nodded. "Ok, cool."

Zack sat next to Cloud. "I know, you don't want to tell me what's wrong with you, but whenever you're ready to talk...I'm here." Cloud looked up at Zack and saw the sincerity in his eyes. / Why does he care so much? / Cloud nodded. "Um, can I please use the restroom?" Zack nodded. "Yeah, sure. You don't even have to ask."

Cloud got up from the bed and walked into Zack's bathroom; he shut the door and then slid on to the floor. / What's going on? Why is Zack taking me in? Why the sudden interest? I have a bad feeling about this, it's just too unbelievable. / He stood up and looked in the mirror and sighed as he touched the cuts on his face. He then lifted up his shirt and touched his stomach, he hadn't eaten in four days and he wasn't sure if Monday even counted. Cloud made a disgusted face. / I never realized until now how fat I am. No wonder why Sephiroth didn't want me to eat. He's doing me a favor by starving me. / Cloud laughed and fell back on to the floor. "I'm so disgusting."

Zack went into Angeal's bathroom and took out a roll of bandages. He took the bloody towel off his arm and began to wrap his arm with the bandages. As he was doing this, he heard his cell phone ring. Zack quickly wrapped up his arm and answered. "Hello?"

"Hey Zacky Locs! What's taking you so long!?" Leon asked on the other end.

Zack panicked, he totally forgot him and the guys were supposed to hang out today. "Hey! Sorry man, I just lost track of time, you know?"

"That's alright, man. We had a feeling you were going to forget, so, we decided to come to you!" Leon replied.

"What?" Zack asked.

"Yeah, we're waiting for you outside of your house!" Leon yelled.

Zack panicked, "Shoot! Uh, alright. I'll be right out!" Zack then hung up and ran out of the bathroom. "Shoot, shoot, shoot!" He went into his room and grabbed his wallet out of his drawer and just as he was about to run out of the room, Cloud came out of the bathroom.

"Hey!" Zack yelled in freight.

Cloud looked at Zack and tilted his head in confusion.

Zack sighed and went over to Cloud. "I'm really sorry. I forgot that I made plans with my friends tonight and I promised I would go out with them." He looked at Cloud. "I'll try to be back as soon as possible, ok?"

Cloud looked down and nodded. "I won't be gone long, k! Bye!" Zack said and left the room. As Zack ran down the stairs, Angel looked up from the TV. "You're leaving?" Zack turned and looked back at Angeal. "Yeah! I forgot my English book at the school so I'm going to Leon's to borrow his." Angeal nodded. "Alright, hurry up. You don't want to leave Cloud alone for too long." Zack nodded. "I know. Bye!" He then ran out the door.

"Zacky Locs!" They all greeted.

"Hey guys. Sorry I took so long." Zack apologized.

"It's alright. Come on let's hit the town boys!" They all then left for a night on the town.

Cloud stood there silent and alone. / I can't believe he just left me...I thought he was going to stay here and keep me company. / Cloud shook his head. / I'm such a fool to expect so much. I bet he was dying to find a reason to get away from me. / He sat on the floor and looked down. / Just when I thought he really wanted my company, he leaves. He sounded so sincere in his words...I was tricked into believing he cared. I don't know what to think right now. I'm so confused. How could he just leave? Does he really expect me to just sit here and wait? And to top it all off he tried to kiss me earlier! Well, that was nice, but he didn't even bring it up after! Maybe, it was just a mistake. /

An hour or two had gone by since Zack had left and Cloud was more upset than ever. Angeal looked at the clock and then walked up stairs into Zack's room. "Hey, I'm sorry about my brothers absence." Cloud nodded while looking down. "I'm leaving right now, so if you'd like to come with me, I'll take you." Cloud looked up at him and mouthed. "Where?"

"To your house. Sephiroth's having a party right now." Angeal replied.

Cloud thought about this. / Sephiroth's having a party? Not surprised, it's about time he started throwing his ridiculous parties. What's the point of staying here anyway? Zack probably forgot all about me...like he cares anyway. /

Cloud nodded and followed Angeal down stairs and out the front door. / I hope my room isn't too destroyed when I get home. / Angeal opened the door to his car and got inside. Cloud got in as well a little confused. / If Angeal has his own car, then why does he need to get a ride from Sephiroth each morning? /

As they were driving, Cloud stared out the window and sighed. / I'm so unhappy. / Angeal glanced and noticed Cloud seemed upset. "Hey, are you ok?" Cloud looked at Angeal and nodded, even though he wasn't. As they approached the house, Cloud saw people and trash all in his front yard. There were cars parked everywhere and the music could be heard from outside. Cloud knew the neighbors wouldn't complain, because they feared Sephiroth would kill them in their sleep.

Angeal found a parking spot and got out of the car. Cloud followed Angeal as they pushed through the crowd of people, into the house. Cloud looked around and saw people talking, eating, etc. He looked into the front room and saw Kadaj and Loz eating like crazy, which was a smart thing to do, knowing they might not get to eat again anytime soon. He walked into the kitchen to find Sephiroth surrounded by a crowd of people.

"And I was like bitch, please!" Sephiroth said which caused everyone to start laughing. Sephiroth then flipped his hair and took a drink from his cup. Angeal approached the crowd and waved to Genesis and Sephiroth. They waved back.

"Angeal! I was just telling everyone about the fat ass in the tight spandex that tried hitting on me in the store last week, remember?!" Sephiroth yelled.

Angeal laughed. "Yeah, I remember that."

"Oh oh! Ok, Monday, I got a call from some crazy bitch and she was all like ' Is this Sephiroth? I'm calling to confirm your doctor's appointment.' and I didn't make any arrangements to see a damn doctor, so I was like ' Excuse me? Is this some kind of booty call?' then she got all flustered and answered ' No! This is confirmation of an appointment!' and then I said ' Sorry I only take booty calls Tuesday-Sunday!' "Sephiroth said and the group erupted in more laughter.

"Damn Sephiroth, you're crazy!"

"I know, right?" Sephiroth flipped his hair once again and look around. "Hey, where the hell is Genesis? I just saw his ass not too long ago."

What Sephiroth didn't know, is that Genesis was over with Yazoo, having a flirtatious conversation. Genesis sat with Yazoo at the top of the stairs, holding a drink and playing with Yazoo's hair. "Mm, Sephiroth wasn't kidding when he said you have a high sex appeal." Yazoo giggled obviously drunk. "I also heard that Sephiroth is refusing to support you and your brothers now and that you guys are going to have to find ways to support yourself." Genesis said and leaned in closer to Yazoo's face. "Maybe, I can help you with that." Yazoo smiled. "Oh, really?" Genesis nodded and picked Yazoo up. "Which room is yours?" Yazoo pointed and they entered his room.

Cloud pushed his way through the crowd and walked up stairs. / I just want to go to bed. / He walked down the hall and opened the door to his room. He looked around and saw empty cups on the floor and some of his things thrown onto the floor. / What happened in here? Who was in here? / Cloud bent down and picked the empty cups from off the floor and put them on top of his dresser. When he turned back around to pick up his things, someone lunged at him and pushed him against the wall. Cloud looked up and saw a man standing over him.

"So, I'm assuming your one of Sephiroth's brothers, aren't you? You seem to fit the description: Blonde, fair skinned blue eyes. Looks like you're my guy." The man said leaning down closer to Cloud's face. Cloud smelled the alcohol on the man. As he got closer to him, he knew the man was drunk.

"So, let's have some fun shall we?" The man said and grabbed Cloud by his chin and pulled his face closer to his. Cloud immediately yanked his face away and tried crawling away, but was stopped when the man jumped on his back. He fell to the floor and he felt the man pulling on his pants. "Come on, Blondie. Can't we just have some fun?" In desperation, Cloud threw his arm back and elbowed then man in the face. "Oh crap, what the hell!" The man said and Cloud quickly wiggled himself out from under the man.

Cloud got up and ran out of the room, he stood in the hall looking around frantically for a place to hide, but just as he was about to run down the hall, he was thrown into the bathroom, which was directly across from his room. He stumbled inside and hit his head on the edge of the counter. / No! My head, ah! / Cloud felt his vision start to become blurry, and began to panic. The man then tried pulling Cloud off the floor, but was having trouble, because Cloud began to fight back and started kicking him.

"Stop resisting, Blondie!" The man said and slapped Cloud in the face. Cloud felt dizzier than ever, but he couldn't stop fighting. Cloud then pushed the man back into the wall and quickly climbed into the tub. "No point in fighting! You're just going to get yourself hurt!" The man then lunged at Cloud in the tub, but Cloud was ready. As the man tackled him, he turned the knob for the hot water to come on. "Ah!" The man screamed as the burning hot water hit his back, Cloud quickly pushed the man off him and crawled out of the tub as fast as he could. He was about to crawl out of the bathroom, but the man grabbed Cloud by his legs and began pulling him back in.

"Get back here!" He yelled, while trying to pull Cloud back in.

"No!" Cloud screamed and kicked the man in the face.

"AH! You little slut! I swear I'll kill you!"

Cloud then ran down the hall blindly, he was so scared and distraught. His vision was so blurred he couldn't see what was ahead of him, so he ended tripping and falling down the stairs. / Ah! My head. Help, someone Help me! / Everyone was so drunk and absorbed in conversation they didn't notice Cloud at all. Crying, Cloud got up off the floor and ran down the hall into the kitchen.

"Come on Sephiroth tell us another story!"

"Yeah, we're all listening!"

Sephiroth smirked. "Well, I guess I could. Ok, so there was this one time." As Sephiroth began telling his story, Cloud pushed through the crowd of people that surrounded him.

"And then..." Sephiroth was about to say something, but before he could, Cloud threw himself on to Sephiroth. Cloud was crying and his face covered in blood. "Sephiroth! Sephiroth! H-help me! Please! Help me!" Cloud cried and screamed, he had a death grip on Sephiroth and didn't want to let go.

Everyone around stared in horror and confusion, they were shocked.

"Oh my god...is he ok?'

Sephiroth looked down at Cloud and was even shocked himself. Cloud looked as if he had just fought for his life. Everyone looked at Sephiroth to see what he would do. Sephiroth stared and watched as Cloud clung to him and continued to cry. Sephiroth didn't know why, but he felt this overwhelming pain hit his heart, and for the first time in his life, he felt bad.

"There you are!" The man that was fighting with Cloud said.

Cloud screamed and clung onto Sephiroth for dear life. "Sephiroth, help!"

The man then pulled the belt off his pants and held it threateningly. "I swear when I get my hands on you, I'm going to beat your ass!"

"Get out now." Sephiroth said and stepped forward to the man. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched.

"Not until I get Blondie!"

"If you don't leave right now, I swear I'll KILL YOU!" Sephiroth yelled and grabbed a knife off the counter. "I will cut your body up into a million pieces, but leave your head, so I can carve myself a pumpkin for Halloween, Bitch! Now get OUT!"

Kadaj and Loz then stepped in as well. "You heard him! Get out bitch! Unless you want to get shanked!"

Fearing for his life, the man began to walk away, but before he left, he turned and looked at Cloud. "This won't be the last time you see me." He then pushed past everyone and walked out the front door.

Cloud then looked up at Sephiroth and tried to control his crying. "Th-thank you." With that, Cloud then fainted.

"Bye guys!" Zack said and waved goodbye to his friends.

He then opened the door to the house and walked in. "Angeal!?" Zack yelled. He looked around in the front room and in the kitchen. "Hm, he must have went out." Zack then ran up stairs into his room. "Cloud! Man, I am so so sorry! I lost track of time! Wait...Cloud?" Zack said looking around his room. He looked everywhere in his room and in the bathroom, but Cloud was nowhere to be found. "Aw, man." Zack said and smacked himself in the face. "He must have got tired of waiting and left."

Zack shook his head and sighed. "I'm sorry, Cloud."

End of chapter 4. Thank you to all that have been reviewing and reading this story! I appreciate it so much! Thank you to TsumeLover666 for being my beta! I hope you guys continue to read and review. Chapter five coming soon.