Red + Red + Rose : Chpt. Seven : Followed
Diary Entry: 0058 Date: 04-15-05
I finished watching the videotapes, I don't know what to think. If Seifer was using me for profit of if he actually cared for me at one point…I don't know and I probably won't ever find out. I talked to Zell yesterday, I didn't tell Rinoa or Squall, just living with two other people is enough to make me want to leave this place but then Blake's men will find me and death is pointless. Rinoa has come up with a plan to get into Blake's penthouse and apparently we're going over it this evening. Without school or my job, I've been going nuts in the apartment when Rinoa and Squall are out at work but I promised them I wouldn't go out so I'll keep my word.
Quistis glanced out the window near the balcony, the weather had finally been getting milder and the snow had melted. It was particularly noisy outside that day because of a parade in the downtown area and she watched a few floats pass by before signing off the computer and walking into her bedroom.
Another day wasted in this small apartment. I'm going to go insane if I have to spend one more moment in here. I'm not even permitted to use the damn telephone.
She grabbed her coat out of Rinoa's closet and walked over to the balcony to continue watching the floats go by.
I wonder what Seifer's doing right now? Who cares what he's doing, he was using me. But…Is he even still alive?
She scowled and willed the thought away, thinking about the last time she had been able to walk freely around outside without being caught up in any of this mess. Drumming her fingers on the railing, she contemplated going outside. Rinoa wouldn't be getting home for another hour or so and Squall was out at work as well.
They act like they're my bloody parents. Fuck this.
She went back inside the apartment and walked over to the door, turning the knob and opening it. The hall looked deserted and the elevator was only a short distance away. She shut the door behind her and walked over to the lift that took her downstairs, to the lobby. It was a short ride down but it seemed to take hours because she was slightly nervous.
I'm only going to be walking around the front yard and perhaps visiting a few stores. There's nothing to really be afraid of as long as I stay within a relatively close distance.
Quistis walked through the lobby and out the front doors before her conscience made her turn around, she had made it to the front yard without any trouble and began walking down the small, cement path.
There was a small café and a few boutiques nearby and so she decided to go shopping for a while. Calmly walking down the sidewalk, she noted that the temperature had risen and a few leaves had started to appear on the massive trees around the area.
I can barely remember the last time it was this warm, even if it's not even summer yet.
The grass was no longer frozen and she noticed that not a pinch of snow was lying on the ground. She walked into the café and waiting in line, deciding whether she should order her usual Moccachino or an Iced Cauppachino instead. In the end, when it was her turn to order, she chose the latter and paid the woman at the register before grabbing her beverage and going back outside to continue her walk.
She hadn't seen Seifer in over two weeks, the break was nice. But she had also not seen Irvine, Zell or Selphie either.
Irvine's dorm isn't too far from here, I could drop him a visit before Rinoa and Squall get back.
She began walking faster and broke into a jog, it felt good to run. At least she could feel something if she ran, unlike the numbness that usually set in when she was alone in the apartment. She felt her heart beginning to beat faster in her chest and her breathing quickened as well as she focused on the sidewalk ahead. All morning she had felt energized and finally she got the chance to get out and do something about it. A few people gave her odd looks, but most paid her no attention, making her nervousness slowly dissipate.
She rounded a corner and saw Trabia University come into view as she continued jogging, she was anxious to speak to Irvine and her movements hastened as she got closer and closer.
Why do I want to see him? To make sure he's all right? What if he starts asking questions…?
By the time she had reached the University grounds she had broken out into a full run, not even thinking about why she was running or which dorm she would find Irvine in. She just kept running, no matter how much her lungs ached and her legs felt like they would drop, she ran across the lawn, starting to perspire. Not thinking clearly, she tried to go even faster, to see what her limit was. Things went past her in blurs, she barely acknowledged anyone yet managed to avoid knocking anyone over, until he walked in front of her. She tried to dodge him, but it was too late, a swirl of a hat, a coat and auburn hair was all she saw as she and him tumbled to the ground.
He held onto her, not letting go until he had stared into her eyes and confirmed it was really her. Slowly, he regained his composure and realized they were both lying to the ground. Quickly, he got to his feet, dusting himself off, and helped her up as well.
"About time I saw you."
"I-I'm sorry." Was all she could mumble, now that Irvine was actually in front of her, she had no idea what to say to him.
"You're okay, then?"
She nodded blankly.
"Good. I felt pretty shitty after you got hurt and that bullet was fired."
"I didn't mean to worry anyone."
"Yeah, I figured you'd say something like that. I've only known you for a month and already you get yourself waist-deep in trouble." He joked, trying to make the conversation a bit less awkward.
"I don't know what they did with Seifer. I haven't seen him since." She told him. She didn't even know why she mentioned that.
"It must be hell for you." They started walking around the campus, "Where've you been?"
"My apartment was broken into. Everything was messed up and so I moved out. I've been lying low since then, the police said they'd try to protect me but they only send a cruiser around once a week or so." She lied.
"Is that it?"
"What else is there to tell? I haven't even gone to school…" She trailed off.
"Scarred?"
"A bit, but more concerned for him."
"I figured that. I don't expect you to ever come back to the opium. Too much has happened there."
"I don't know what I'm going to do or if I'm ever going to see him again. I want everything to go back to normal."
"Is anything ever normal? Heh, don't worry so much, Seifer's pretty slick. He's probably already broke his way out of wherever he was and out of the state by now."
"Huh?"
"He can take care of himself. He wouldn't want you to get sick to your stomach worrying about him, either."
"True, he's tough, but those guys had weapons."
"Tch, that's nothing."
"You're just trying to make me feel better. It's appreciated but not doing any good."
"Think what you want," He shrugged, "That guy, Zell, has been hanging around a lot, he keeps asking if I've seen you or if I know where you are."
Irvine scratched his head.
"Oh. I'm apologize if he's caused you any trouble."
"It's okay. Selphie's pretty worried about you too."
"I need you to do me a favor," She turned to look at him, "Don't tell them too much, alright?"
He raised an eyebrow but nodded, probably wondering what was going on.
By now they were near the front of the campus.
"I should go."
"Hey, not so fast. I have a few questions for you." He grabbed her arm and spun her around.
"Why were you running so fast? Was someone chasing you?"
"I don't know."
"Whaddya mean you don't know?"
"I suppose that…I wanted to feel something. But it doesn't matter. I've got things to do and you probably do too."
"You wanted to feel something?" He still hadn't let go of her arm and she looked down at his hand, holding her wrist. He blushed for a moment and let go.
"I don't quite know how to describe it. Lately, it's like I've been numb. When I run, and feel pain or exhaustion, at least I can feel something."
"…okay, but do me and yourself a favor, don't go around trying to get hurt."
"I promise that I won't." She forced a smile and turned around to go.
"See ya around."
She waved and began walking faster, leaving him thoughtful and wondering when he would see her again.
Quistis passed by the buildings, looking around for any hint of danger. Now that she was no longer running she could think clearly. It was getting dark, she wanted to get back to the apartment. She hadn't bothered to wear a watch and wondered if Rinoa had arrived home yet. She still had another five blocks to go and she was tired from earlier. The sky looked ominous and a few clouds had gathered.
She heard a noise behind her and turned around instantly, trying to figure out if she was being followed. The danger suddenly became very clear and very real but she forced herself to continue walking. A wind ruffled through the trees and she shivered as the temperature dropped a bit.
It's nothing, I'm being paranoid. Working one's self into a frenzy never helped anyone. All I have to do is make it home. It's really not that difficult.
Two blocks later the sky had gotten an even darker blue, the moon was almost up. She hugged herself to keep warm and picked up her pace. Few cars went down the street, and those that did usually went racing by. Drunk or partying teens, she guessed. Especially since the college was right near by.
The parade had already ended, she assumed and there was hardly any people walking around the streets, save the odd person walking a dog or carrying multiple shopping bags. She surveyed the area and wondered if she should perhaps stop for a while. Not having realizing how hard she pushed herself before, running five straight blocks and then almost the entire length of the yard of a campus, she brought her hand up to her forehead to wipe away a few icy beads of sweat that had formed.
It was useless stopping now though, she figured, and kept on going. There were only three more blocks left and it wasn't even that chilly outside.
I wonder what Irvine thinks. I doubt he believed my lie about 'laying low' but what else could I possibly tell him? I met up with these people who are going to be breaking into a major criminal's house in a few days and we're going to try to save Seifer. Oh and by the way, I have no clue who these people really are or if what they're telling me is true. It was pointless, sometimes lies were better then admitting the truth. What if Rinoa or Squall really was working with the same people that kidnapped Seifer and it was only a matter of time before they brought her directly into the Lion's den.
She scowled, trying to get the ridiculous thought out of her mind.
Wouldn't they have done it already? She had been with them for two weeks now and all they seemed concerned about was her safety, even if they were only using her to get Blake. Heh, 'bait' they called it. She wondered how much danger she was really going to be put in, and if she got caught or hurt there, would they leave her behind to rot with Seifer?
Only two more blocks to go, getting closer and closer she regretted her actions earlier. Sure, she had been bored out of her mind, but she was also most likely at the top of a major criminal's hit list.
There was one car, she noticed now, it was going very slow, the headlights were turned off and it was extremely quiet, yet she saw it, out of the corner of her eye, getting closer and closer. She closed her eyes and broke into a light run, even though she felt as though she would drop, she forced her legs to keep beating down on the sidewalk, she noticed the car was now going faster as well.
Shit, I've got to get out of here, They're trailing me.
She turned in, seeing the park that was near the elementary school, and began running at full speed down the dark, gravel path that was illuminated only by the odd streetlight. Her feet made a thudding noise as they pounded down on the gravel, she continued running, feel her heartbeat and breathing slowly accelerating. She heard car doors open and slam shut, then the sound of feet smacking against the pavement not too far behind her.
What am I doing? I've got to lose them.
One small glance behind her told her that they were men in trench coats and they were advancing on her quickly.
Keep running, keep breathing, stay alive. She willed herself to go on. Their footsteps were now closer then ever and she could practically feel them at her ankles.
She heard the jangling and then shuffling of something, and then there was an unbearably loud sound as a bullet flew past her, almost grazing her shoulder. Gasping, both for breath and out of surprise, she pushed herself harder, forcing her legs to carry her further and faster.
Irvine…Rinoa…Squall…
She was on the verge of falling, she felt one of them grab onto her arm and she roughly pulled away, there was a loud ripping sound.
Leave me the fuck alone.
She instantly came to a halt, surprising them so that they didn't stop until a few meters in front of her, then she turned sharply to the right and began running that way, across the field. Her legs made no sound against the soft dirt and grass, she saw the apartment slowly coming into view but still had roughly a block or so to go before she would be safely inside.
Her attackers were quick to regain their speed and were only a bit farther behind her now. Thanking whatever God there was aiding her, she was practically panting for air.
I might…actually…make it. I've got to keep-
Suddenly she felt her feet fly out from under her as one of the enemies kicked and tripped her. The ground rushed towards her but she managed to land on her hands and knees, quickly doing a flip to get back on her feet. They were too close now and she turned around to face them.
I'm not going to make it. I can't take on both of them.
She saw there was a road and sidewalk not too far away but knew they were out of reach now that the two foes were practically beside her. Hoping to catch them by surprise, she flung herself at the larger one and shoved her arm, as hard as she could, into his abdomen. Before he could push her away, she brought her knee up and felt it connect with his groin. He howled in pain and fell down to his knees. She immediately kicked the gun he had been holding, well out of his reach.
She had a problem, the other one was now directly behind her, she felt his breath against her neck and before he could grab her from behind, she swung her elbow back and smashed it into his ribcage. She had been aiming for his stomach but she missed, so he managed to get her in a headlock and slowly, but surely, was cutting off her oxygen supply. Not knowing what else to do, she flung herself to the ground, she felt here spine was about to break but just as Quistis thought it would snap, the man let go and fell to the ground beside her. She inhaled sharply and leapt to her feet, delivering numerous kicks to his side and gut. She didn't subside until she saw the other one struggling to get up, at which she ran over to him and kicked him directly in the temple, knocking him unconscious from the force of the blow.
Though the man she had just stopped kicking was bleeding and in much pain, she saw him roll over and was about to start running towards the road and the sidewalk when a car pulled up, under the streetlight. Three men got out, the third was dragging someone else out of the car. The three men, in trench coats like the other two, were all carrying guns. She was trapped and she knew it. Raising her hands in the air, and backing up slightly she almost shouted when she saw that they were dragging a bloody and bruised Seifer out of the car. Her heart rose into her throat, she desperately prayed that he was alive.
He can't be dead. They wouldn't kill him.
She tried to reassure herself, but it offered little comfort as they got closer and closer with their guns. For only a few brief seconds she had felt triumphant, elated, powerful…that had drained the second that the car had pulled up. She had finally won a battle, but lost the war.
She saw that Seifer was still alive as they came closer and she noticed he was walking, only being supported by the other man. He stumbled, and fell to the ground, she wanted to reach out to him, his face was covered with blood and it was practically blue from all the lacerations and bruises.
What have they done to you? Is it my fault? Seifer…
She couldn't help it she began walking towards him, the other two men aimed their guns at her, prepared to shoot her if she tried anything odd. When she reached the third man, he had the barrel of his gun aimed directly at her forehead, but she didn't' care, she lowered her hand slowly and placed them on Seifer's face. She felt the other two men surround her.
Is this it? Is this the end? Why haven't they killed me yet? Why did they bring Seifer?
"Love…" He whispered, trying to talk, but his voice came out raspy and choked, "Don't do it, whatever they tell you. Get away."
She let out something that was half a laugh and half a sob.
"I can't exactly do that, now that they've surrounded me, can I?"
His eyes pleaded for her to get away, yet she could not comply.
"Enough chit-chat. We came here for a reason." One of the men standing behind her said.
When she took her eyes off Seifer she realized that sky was black and the moon had risen high over head. The third man began backing up, taking Seifer with him.
"Wait!" She shouted to him, pleading him to stay. He did no such thing, instead he turned around and began taking a struggling and weak Seifer back to the car.
She felt a gun pressed against her back and realized that they wanted her to follow. The other man, she saw was helping the other two recover.
"Bitch." The man behind her said, stabbing the gun barrel into her back harder. Yet she did not cry out, it would only satisfy him if she cried or whimpered like a weak tart.
All right. How can I get out of this? I have a gun against my spine by one man, another had Seifer…but the third…he's helping the other two…
"Are you Blake?" She asked, knowing the answer would be a curt No, but trying to distract the man.
"Heh, if I was Blake I would've already had you down on the ground with your clothes off and a bullet through your blonde, little head." He growled, laughing slightly.
"Who are you?"
"It doesn't matter. Just shut up and follow the other guy, up ahead."
"Why didn't you just kill me?"
"Why don't you shut the f*ck up."
"I'm sorry." she mumbled.
"I haven't killed ya 'cause Blake wants to deal with you himself, and believe me, you probably will be wishing that I had killed you after Blake's through with you."
"Oh, really?"
They were almost at the sidewalk now, Seifer had already been shoved back in the car and it looked like she was about to be too, her mind raced, trying to think of a desperate action to stop or slow him down.
"Shit." She cried out suddenly, she could tell his finger probably tensed on the trigger, "I dropped it."
"What?"
She saw a woman dressed in black with a pair of sunglasses and a gun, running from up ahead. Immediately, she took her chance and spun around, before the man had a chance to shoot her, grabbed his gun, shoved him ahead of herself, and ducked as she heard a shot fire out from up above and then dropped the man as a bullet was embedded into his skull. Meanwhile, another man, dressed in black with sunglasses as well, ran up behind the second man that was helping the other two fallen ones. He fired his gun once, killing him almost instantly with a bullet directly aimed to go through the heart.
The woman up head fired several shots at the car that Quistis was about to get into, however she only aimed for the front seat, and not the back.
The driver immediately sped away, leaving smoke and making a skidding sound as he raced down the street. The woman stopped firing her gun and frowned in Quistis' direction.
"I owe you, Rinoa." Quistis mumbled, hoping it would satisfy her but knowing that she would probably lock her inside the apartment from now on.
Squall came up behind her, grabbing her wrist and leading her up ahead. He seemed angry, she wondered what he would do. She had never seen him that mad before, it interested her and, surprisingly, she was not scared as he pulled her towards the apartment, where Rinoa was waiting. She looked rather angry herself, her mouth was set in a straight line and her eyes seemed to glare at her.
Squall didn't let go of her as they walked through the lobby and entered the elevator, although she tried pulling away from him, she was too weak from the chase and his grip was too tight around her arm. Everyone was silent, she wondered what would happen and felt like a child that had done something one of her foster parents had specifically told her not to do. But she was too weary to think about it now as she was dragged down the hall and shoved, lightly, into the apartment.
"You know, despite what you may think, I'm not a child and I'm certainly not going to put up with this. You can't lock me up inside your apartment, drag me back here, and act as though I'm your damn property." She yelled, "What I did tonight was my own choice, I don't care if it was wrong because I can't even see the line between the two values." She would have stormed into the living room, had Squall not placed his arms firmly on her shoulders.
"You have a choice." Rinoa stood in front of her, yelling as well, "Either stay here, listen to us, get Seifer back alive and make it out of this thing alive as well, or you can leave, try to save Seifer, and get both of yourselves killed."
She spun around to face Squall.
"Let go of me." Surprisingly, his arms dropped to his sides and she was free to go.
"You're leaving?" Rinoa asked.
She was quiet for a moment, not answering, still calming down.
"What do you think?"
"Listen, I know you Quistis, you've been down that road too many times and you know where it's going to lead. Despite what you think, sometimes you need other peoples' help."
She did not yell, her voice came out soft and serious, but not angry.
"Stay with us, and we'll help you." She finished, staring at Quistis.
"Why? So Seifer can continue to die in there?"
"No. Tonight I got a map of the penthouse, after a few weeks of work I was finally able to sneak in, with Squall, and we drew a quick, overview sketch of the place by crawling through the vents."
"And yet you didn't tell me anything about that. If I'm going to stay here I want there to be no further discretion, treat me as an equal and take me with you." Quistis said.
Rinoa looked at Squall for a moment, the room was silent, and then she nodded.