Chapter 4: Time Resumes
Cloud blinked away the scenes that played before his
eyes in reoccurring flashes and whispered voices. He shuddered as an eerie
sensation slithered down his spine and then he truly opened his eyes for what
seemed to be the first time in hours. Reawakening to his surroundings, Cloud
realized that he was still in his kitchen, but something was different….
What the…? Cloud scratched his head in bewilderment as his mind flowed
over ever aspect of the room, trying to zero in on what exactly was bothering
him. His eyes landed on the incandescent red numbers, seething out toward him
like daggers tearing at his heart. Cloud staggered to his feet in shock. His
body shook uncontrollably as reality began to sink in.
No… Cloud frowned and raised his eyebrow in disbelief. This
can't be.
What had seemed to be minutes had actually been
hours. The kitchen clock taunted Cloud with this fact and also revealed new
tribulations. Not only had he lost time, Skylar, who had been right next to
him, was nowhere to be seen.
"Shit," Cloud mumbled under his breath as he spun
helplessly around the room without a trace of the boy.
This can't be happening. Cloud thought to himself as he
exited the kitchen and proceeded to the living room while checking ever corner
for Skylar. I couldn't have zoned out for that long……
Cloud heard a low voice coming from the next room. Without
hesitation, he slammed the door opened. Striding at full speed into the room,
Cloud suddenly froze.
"Cloud, what's the matter?" Tifa asked, startled by his
abrupt entrance.
Cloud's mouth hung open in astonishment, unable to
comprehend what exactly was going on. He stared blankly at the four pairs of
eyes that looked to him for an answer he couldn't grasp.
He moved his lips, but no sound escaped them as if he were
a mute searching for a voice that he didn't have. In the moment that followed,
Skylar appeared from behind the couch.
"Uncle C-oud!!" Skylar yelped, unable to control his
excitement. With that, the little boy swiftly rushed over to Cloud and began to
playfully tug on his arm. "Did 'ou s-eeep good?"
Cloud looked down and smiled at Sky. You have no idea,
kid, no idea…
"That's right. I hear you were sleeping on the damn job."
Cid interrupted. "What idiot would leave a kid to fend for himself? You're one
lucky son of a…."
"Cid! Your not cursing in front of your kids, are you?"
Tifa rebuked him slyly and winked at Shera. "Besides, Sky's fine and while he
watched television, Cloud got to sleep. After all, Cloud's been working so hard
lately…."
"Yup, Daddy. I had fun here wit Uncle C-oud," Skylar added.
Barret remained silent with his eyes still fixed on his
motionless friend as Tifa and Shera continued their conversation with Cid
adding his unique comments in whenever he saw an opening. Finally, Barret
noticed a discolored piece of paper held in Cloud's hand.
"What's that?" Barret asked hastily and loud enough to
attract the other's attention.
Cloud shrugged, "Just a picture of Tifa and me when we were
kids…"
"Yeah, an' Aun' Air-isss is in it toooo!" Skylar smiled.
"Right, Uncle C-oud? That's what 'ou were dreamin' 'bout."
"Yeah," Cloud sighed as he handed the picture to Tifa.
……It was one heck of a dream………
Author's
Note:
Well, this is my first Final Fantasy
VII fic so it's a little sketchy. The idea that Cloud would forget of his
meeting with Aeris and Zack seems a bit farfetched, but with all the tragedies
I figured "what the heck" and wrote the story anyway. I just loved writing
about Cid and Shera's son, Skylar, and of course Cloud who was my favorite
FFVII character.
I'm planning another FFVII fanfic,
but much longer so this story is more like a warm up as to what is to come….
Not exactly a prequel but somewhat linked to the next story. Anywayz, it was
all in good fun…. Although I think the last chapter is a bit lagging the rest
is cute.
Oh and about the whole "box" thing….
I was watching The Great Escape at the time and the solitary confinement idea
just stuck. After all, I always hated summer camp… heheh.
~Lavantis