Chapter 9
Cloud lead the group as the move through the deserted streets. They had been lucky so far that they had not encountered any of the Gigases. The entire group was jumpy though, at one point a stray cat had knocked of a can, causing Elena to fire at it. They had stayed silent for 10 minutes, listening for traces of Gigases, luckily they heard none. Now, Cloud entered the sector 3 slums, still searching for Reno and Vincent.
"Maybe we should turn back." Yuffie suggested.
"Yeah, every minute we're out here increases the chances of us getting found by the Gigases."
"You didn't have to come with us." Cloud explained.
"Quiet." Rude said.
"Don't tell him to be quiet." Tifa snapped.
"Shut up Tifa!" Cloud said, covering her mouth. "Don't you hear that?"
There was the sound of footsteps. By the sound of them, the owner was injured. They slowly approached the corner that the footsteps were coming from. Cloud peaked around the corner.
"Vincent!" He said shocked. He ran to his friend just as he collapsed. Cloud caught him in his arms. There was a huge hole in his chest. "Vincent, what happened?" Cloud asked urgently.
"He took it." Vincent said weekly. "Hojo took it"
"Took what?" Cloud asked.
"Chaos." Vincent responded weekly, his eyes slowly closed. Cloud felt his body stop.
"Vincent!" Cloud said, shaking him. There was no response.
"He's dead." Came a voice above them. The group looked up, finding Hojo standing above them. "As are you going to be."
Suddenly, a swarm of Gigases started running into the end of the alley way in front of them.
"Run!" Elena screamed, as the group started running for the other end of the alley. Cloud could hear Hojo laughing maniacally behind them as they fled. In front of Cloud, Yuffie tripped on a loose stone. Cloud quickly grabbed her, and tried to help her. The Gigases were almost upon them. Finally, Cloud couldn't wait any longer. He let go of Yuffie, and continued running. Yuffie's screams filled the air as the Gigases reached her. The group exited the alley, slamming a metal gate behind them.
"We don't have much time." Cloud said. The other three were trying to catch their breaths.
"We have to get back to the house." Elena breathed.
"We can't out run them that long, besides, I'm not leading them to the others." Tifa argued.
Suddenly, the truck appeared in the distance. It screeched to a halt next to the group.
"Get in." Yelled Reno. The group quickly piled into the truck, and it sped off down the street. Suddenly, a loud roar filled the air. Cloud turned back, seeing Chaos standing atop a building.
"Drive faster Reno!" He yelled through the window.
