It was a strange feeling, this frantic pulsing that circulated through her chest. It was like adrenaline that made every touch feel stronger, every sight clearer, every tear fell faster.
Soria never realized that this type of feeling existed. It was worse than anything she had ever felt.
It was uncertainty mixed with….fear.
Though perhaps those two emotions were one and the same.
Looking at all of the faces she passed as she dashed down the corridors, serene smiles or grumpy expressions etched onto their faces, a quiet realization spawned in the back of her mind.
Nobody knew the only family she had could be dead. Nobody, save for a few top SOLDIER executives, knew about the young girl lying in the infirmary. Nobody knew the girl's story. To everyone else, Kaden was just a statistic. She was just a number to report back to the President. She was a failed experiment.
She was nobody. And nobody cared.
Soria dashed down the halls, down the stairs, and into the SOLDIER infirmary.
"Where's Kaden!?" The nurse on duty looked up, startled by Soria's sudden and erratic appearance.
"What was the name again?" The nurse asked politely.
"Kaden Caller. Age twelve. Height 5'1". Brown hair, violet eyes. SOLDIER Third Class."
Soria yelped as the deep voice spoke from behind her. Standing there, in all of his infuriating glory, was the seventeen year old General Sephiroth.
"Oh! General sir! The girl you're looking for was taken by Professor Hojo for examinations." The last word had no sooner left the nurse's lips than Sephiroth was on his way to the labs, Soria hot on his heels.
Angeal Hewley was right beside her all of a sudden. His arm brushed hers every so often, and his footfalls clapped loudly on the floor.
"We'll find her. Don't worry. Sephiroth knows what he's doing."
Kaden's blood was on fire. Her body ached, her chest heaved with each breath she took. Opening her bloodshot eyes, blazing pain seared through her. The light was too much; a quiet groan came from her parched lips.
Her throat was painfully tight and constricting without pause. There was a roaring in her ears, her mind couldn't find clear enough of the haze away for her to have a coherent thought.
"How nice of you to rejoin the land of the living." That voice…that cackling voice that she had only heard from a distance.
"Your mission was a success I've heard. And without a single casualty on our side, and they all seem to be accrediting that to you."
"Wh…?" Kaden croaked out. There was a rustling in the air and soon the young girl felt something press forcefully to her lips. The cracked skin sent shockwaves of pain through her body as protest.
The piercing cold began to disperse, leaving only droplets of liquid that she happily accepted.
"Perhaps now you can talk?" Kaden felt well enough now to glare at man in the spectacles.
"Professor…" A hoarse whisper one moment, a coughing fit the next.
Author's Note: Please review! Or favorite or follow! All are appreciated! Thanks for reading! Sincerely, Kay.