Red + Red + Rose : Chpt. Thirteen // Alpha (The Beginning)
- She could feel a hard, cold surface beneath her body, it felt like marble. There were dim, small lights that hung from the ceiling, illuminating the large conference room. Quistis was lying on a table, in the skimpy red dress, and sprawled out across it. Immediately coming to her senses, she sat up and saw several empty chairs around the black, rectangular piece of furniture. At the head of the table sat a tall man dressed in some kind of uniform. He had short, dark hair that was graying at the sides, however his face was clean and shaven. The man appeared to be in his forties but he might have passed for younger if he did not have those strands of silver. He looked thoughtful; the male was neither smiling nor frowning, much like how Squall usually looked most of the time. The man's feet were propped up on the large structure and his hands were placed behind his head. Perplexed, was how she would describe him.
"Quistis, Quistis, Quistis. I've finally got you here."
"Who are you?" Her voice echoed like in the dream, making her wonder if this was just another part of it.
"The table isn't very comfortable for lying on." He patted the chair beside him but she did not move.
"I think that I can manage fine over here."
"You like the dress and the diamond?"
She looked down to see the shimmering stone delicately placed on her neck on a silver chain. The dress was short, shiny, and low cut. It was complete by thigh-high platform boots and long black gloves. For a moment she was repulsed, thinking about how he had got the dress on her and what he might have done. Hopping off the table, she took a seat at the opposite end of the table, as far away from the man as she could possibly get. There was a double set of doors a few feet away and she glanced at them out of the corner of her eye. Every nerve in her body screamed for her to run. Ignoring her conscience and fear, she crossed her legs and stared at the man, studying him carefully before her eyes darted back to the doors.
"They're guarded outside, by men with guns and what-not."
"And you are…?"
"Richard Blake Caraway. A former General to the United States army."
He had cold eyes, that was the only thing that worried her, his eyes. They were like glass and his irises had no color at all to them. They had probably seen many murders, witnessed countless crimes.
"Why don't you just get it over with? You want to kill me, so do it."
"What makes you think that?"
"It's obvious. I was a witness to a kidnapping you were involved with and I'm one of Seifer's allies. I've killed several of your men and stirred up more then enough trouble for you. Need I really go on?"
"I suppose you're right. But I have things to ask you first."
"………"
"Like why you believe Seifer is still alive."
"I don't know. Perhaps he's valuable to you."
"Fair enough. Tell me, how much do you know?"
She might have lied, but it was pointless now.
"I know that you're a major criminal who has formed an organization in secrecy and takes part in countless illegal actions."
"I see, Well," He took out a cigar from his front pocket and lit it, staring at her with those stone cold eyes, "I have a business proposition for-"
"Forget it."
He ignored the comment and took a long, slow drag.
"You come work for me and I'll release Seifer."
"Liar. I'll do no such thing. It's the most degrading career a person could possibly have and I'm willing to bet my life that you'd double-cross me."
"Think of the money, think of your lover."
"There is no way in hell."
"You don't know anything, do you? That's fine. Allow me to explain as I take you on a tour of the building."
"I don't need a tour of the building to prove to me what a ruthless fucker you are."
"That was unnecessary. Quistis, all I want to do is-"
"Just shut up."
He stood up, placing the cigar in his mouth and walked over to her. His eyes studying her features in the dress made her feel irritated and repulsed. She remained seated even after he motioned for her to get up. Scowling, the former general yanked her up by the arm, twisted it behind her back, and had a gun pressed against her head in a split second. She tried kicking him away only to be pushed forward and thrust through the doors. Her enemy gripped onto her once again, before she had a chance to escape, and escorted her outside the conference room, waving to the guards at the door. They lowered their guns and looked at Quistis who avoided their stares. Instead, she gazed at Blake with daggers in her eyes and began walking down the hall, falling in stride with him.
"What do you think your doing? Or more importantly, what does a tour of the building have anything to do with what's about to unfold?"
"What is going to unfold?"
"The pitiful thing is, only you know the answer to that because you're the one that has me stuck in this whorehouse."
"Whorehouse? Do you see any women dancing around?"
"I think I've seen enough to last me for a long enough time."
"And just what makes you think that I'm so bad? You should talk to your precious Seifer about being bad. Think he hasn't murdered anyone?"
"I don't think he hasn't murdered anyone. I know that he would never ruthlessly kill or inflict pain unto anyone the way that you do."
"You'd be surprised, Love."
"You're to one that doesn't know anything. You think that you have everyone figured out – I hate to be the one to break this to you – but you're wrong. Everything you do is wrong to a point where there's no turning back."
"Stupid slut. I took you in, gave you a beautiful dress, diamond, and I'm even taking you on a tour of the penthouse. How, in any way, have I done anything wrong?"
"For starters, you bloody kidnapped me to get me here."
"If you had come voluntarily I wouldn't have had to and then nobody would have gotten hurt."
"Why would I come to you of my own will? You're a cold-blooded criminal that wants Seifer and I dead. You have no life other then crime and can't seem to do anything that's morally right."
"Morally right? There's no such thing."
"Not to you…I don't know very much about you, but I know that you'd kill anyone without a second thought or any regrets. Morals are something that state what's right and what's wrong according to your conscience. You don't seem to be able to get it through your mind that what you are doing, what you stand for, and just everything here is wrong. I don't care how big this stupid diamond is, or how expensive this slutty red dress cost. What matters is that you have done things that cannot be changed and one day, perhaps not today or even tomorrow, but sometime in the future, they're going to catch up with you. That doesn't bother you one bit, all you care about is having things your way."
"It's a crime to want things to go your own way?" He seemed amused by her argument which only caused her to get angrier.
"You just don't understand. I don't think it's possible for people like you to ever know what it's like to be on the other side of the crime. You kill people! Don't you see that you're taking away someone's life? Don't you even feel any guilt?"
"Guilt? Never applied to me. I kill who I have to. I do what I have to in order to survive. Let me give you a piece of advice, in this world you either kill or get killed. Lives have to be sacrificed in order for others to continue to thrive. Sorry to break it to you, bitch, but things just work out this way sometimes."
"I suppose that no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, you'll never know what it's like to lose someone close to you that you care for so much, to suffer the pain of a loss that is so great that you feel like all you want to do is crawl into a hole and kill yourself because of the love and friendship that you've lost."
"Kill myself over someone else dying? Hell I crack open a bottle of champagne when I kill someone. It's a cause for celebration, I've just gotten rid of yet another worthless, pitiful life on this miserable planet. There's nothing that I enjoy more."
"You can't be human…" She stared at him disgustedly and shook her head sadly.
"I never used to want you dead. All I wanted was to spend the night with you but of course that protective asshole just couldn't do that. Even after leading me to believe that you would be coming over after selling me those tapes for an unimaginable price."
"I don't care what Seifer did. You don't seem to get it through your thick skull that no matter what you tell me about him or what he did, I'll always choose him over anyone, or anything, else."
"What if I got him to confess it to you himself, that he murdered some of my best men?"
"………"
"That is precisely what I thought your reply would be. So come, to his private room, and see what he has to say."
They approached a room with double-doors at the end of the long, carpeted hallway, and halted when finally a few feet away from it. For a moment she was nervous about what would be on the inside. Thoughts and images ran through her mind, forcing her to almost turn away, as her enemy twisted the doorknob with a gold smile on his face, as if he knew some dreadful secret that would pain her forever.
It doesn't matter. Seifer would never betray me. He would never hurt me. Blake's a liar and a fool if he's hell-bent on getting me to not believe in our relationship. That word…it seems to have more of a meaning now that I've realized what we are. It doesn't matter what he's done wrong, the line between the two sides is so blurred and twisted now that it's practically impossible to tell which side is good and the other is evil. Evil? Good? Those things still exist? There is no such thing as good and evil, there are only opinions and beliefs. Biased is what they are, one person forms an image of something sinister and people, like sheep, flock after him or her and believe their every word. Religion…Justice…
What does it truly mean to be on the 'bad' side? Am I 'bad' because I've killed and hurt people? It was in self-defense, though I still took lives. Was it necessary to kill? Could I have just avoided the situation completely? What is it like to have bloodstained hands? Will I have them in the future?
The door opened, to reveal a large room with a four-poster bed and Seifer lying, spread out comfortably with girls surrounding him, giggling and half-naked. He looked content, laughing and smirking at them, playing with their bodies and acting shocked at a few of the things they were doing. Her eyebrows narrowed and she tried to blink, hoping she was imagining this, praying that this wasn't real.
No…this isn't Seifer. It can't be him, he would never do something like this. He was kidnapped, beat up, almost dead when I saw him last time. Why would they treat him like this? Perhaps an even more suspicious thought would be, was he enjoying this treatment while I was fighting for his life and my own, being chased by those men? Why? What is Blake doing? Is it a mind game? Is he trying to trick me? What does he want from me and what did I do to make him want to hurt me so badly? Seifer could never do this with a clear conscience. He…has a conscience. He…knows the difference from right from wrong, doesn't he? What if he was playing me this entire time? All those moments, all those feelings, that love. It was love I was feeling towards him, wasn't it? Not just lust of pleasure, it was the type of love that only couples that return the emotion can feel for each other. Through my dark personality, I've always loved him. What is this? This isn't reality, he wouldn't be snogging with those chicks if he knew I was here. He wouldn't be snogging with those women even if I wasn't here! I was in danger! I almost died! This can't be…
"See how Seifer's enjoying himself? He's practically in seventh heaven without you bitching at him and slapping him around, treating the poor man like dirt."
"That isn't Seifer."
Her thoughts were interrupted by the person she had come to hate so much, that two-bit pimp that was now acting all-knowing and smug with that horrid grin displayed on his face that she so desperately wanted to smack off. But, what was worse that Seifer had turned her head and stared at her while the women continued to fondle him, paying them no attention. Hurt, betrayal, shock, disbelief, they all shot through her, she didn't know what was the truth anymore. She did not know where to turn, who to trust, what to do. Those eyes that now held her gaze, were they really the eyes that had sparkled so mischievously and attractively when they had been together? Those eyes, were they really the ones that she knew? Was that man lying on the bed really the person that had almost gave up his life for her? True, Seifer could be obnoxious and an absolute asshole sometimes, but this…it was too much. He had gone too far, if he really was involved with this whole scheme.
"Quistis, I'm so sorry. I feel horrible, I really do. Those chases and when you saw me beat up and kidnapped, it was all an act. I knew that I couldn't convince you to come here of your own will, especially not if I told you about those tapes. So, throw in a bunch of touchy, emotional shit and instantly you were Jell-O in my hands. It so sad…that you believe all that. I would have thought that the rabid whore I'd slept with was just a bit smarter then that, Babe." He snorted and turned back to one of the other women, pressing his mouth against hers and grabbing onto her breast, fondling it.
"Y-You…" She blinked back the hot tears that stung at her eyes, trying to force herself not to cry in front of him, not to break down and make an even bigger idiot out of herself, "I can't believe this. How could you…"
No! He's lying. He has to be, in another minute this will all go back to normal and I'll be trying to flee from here with him and we'll be running side by side, attempting to escape from this hellhole. He can't be on their side. He wouldn't have done that all this time, just to hurt me like this. He just would not lead me right to Blake. But how else would Blake know where I was all those times? How else would he have got me to 'be' with him? What if he offered Seifer such a sum of money that he just wouldn't turn down. Would he honestly do something like that to me, just for some green paper that everyone believes is valuable.
There was an arm that wrapped around her shoulder, Blake's she presumed, she couldn't see because her vision was blurred by the hot droplets of water that stung on her eyes as the shame came and then the numbness in her limbs as she gave into it all. What other reasonable explanation was there? She wasn't ignorant enough to believe that this was all just another part of her dream, all this couldn't be real. It was the cold, harsh reality that had formed groups and thrived in Chicago, Illinois. It was the average life of the pimps, players, and scoundrels that made a living by hurting others and taking advantage of the weaker ones. It was the world that she had feared most but had come to accept, as with all other things in her life.
"Seifer, what is this?"
"I'm surprised you haven't already figured it out for yourself."
"II don't know what you're talking about. This can't be real."
"It's real. We're both here now and there's no more running."
"Don't…you can't…you were all I had left!"
"Is it my fault that Blake pressured me into a deal and," He paused, sitting up on the bed while shoving the girls away, "I saved both of our lives."
"My ass! You save yourself, that's all you ever look out for."
"Would you really want to see me dead?"
"Perhaps you shouldn't ask me that right now." She growled, trying to back up, only to be shoved forward again by her original adversary. He snickered and slammed the door shut after motioning for the other girls to leave.
"You'll have to kill me before I come to work for you." She told him with an icy tone.
"I don't think that will be necessary. Besides, it's only sex." Blake replied.
"That I don't want!"
"I really can't see your huge problem with it…" Seifer scowled, hopping off the bed.
"No, I suppose to you it wouldn't matter." She argued.
"You're right, but come on, there's no other way out of it. You're trapped – there aren't any other choices."
"Then kill me" Quistis demanded.
"Not when I'd be putting such a good body to waste." Blake said, "Besides, I promised Seifer if we got you here then I wouldn't."
"You're an asshole." She retorted, trying to squirm away from him.
"Now Quisty, if you'd just cooperate then this would all go so much smoother. For one, you wouldn't be injured and, for another, maybe you'd enjoy the job."
"Only cold-hearted monsters like the both of you could ever enjoy this kind of smut. I don't have any other options and you know it. My views on the subject aren't important to you anyway. It doesn't matter how much I hate it. All you care about is the money."
"Why so innocent? So…righteous? Why do you bother with virtues or morals when you have to push them aside if you want to get by in this world."
"I wouldn't have to if people like you didn't exist. This is insanity!"
"Don't try to tell me that you've never done anything wrong. You're not a damned saint so don't bother trying to act all defensive." The ex-general said.
"I may not be a saint but I'm certainly against you and everything your kind stand for."
"My kind? Do elaborate."
"Exploitation, profiting off of the weak and innocent, murder, prostitution…the list continues. Need I really go on?"
"You don't know anything about us, you little bitch. Grow up, it's a tough, hard life. Kill or get killed."
"Just shut up! What you're saying doesn't justify anything. It's true that I haven't know you very long but in the time that I have, it's been enough to convince me that you're lower then scum. It doesn't take a genius to figure out your horrid ways so don't even bother with that shit about not knowing what it's like. You're the only one responsible for putting yourself in the 'kill or get killed' situation, don't try to tell me otherwise because you know what I'm saying is the truth."
"So I suppose it was justified when you killed my men."
She sighed, as much as she didn't want to admit it, he had a point. Only a moment ago she had been against his concept and now she felt the same way. However, instead of acting like a hypocrite, Quistis bit her tongue and glared at both of them. Seifer was only a few feet away from her and she wondered what he was going to do. It disturbed her that she was not only outnumbered but trapped as well.
The only person that she had ever put a shred of faith in had turned against her and had been working with Blake the entire time. She was a victim and she hated it. But would her emotions betray her or would she be able to keep a backbone? Only time would tell, and it was running out very quickly."
"It doesn't matter what you claim, we can argue the entire night but you'll never convince me that I should enjoy working for you. I'll always have my values and, though you can force this on me as much you'd like, I'll never be just another one of your whores."
"Fine then, I'm getting tired of this anyway. I think…Seifer should be your first fuck here. He should get to test you out before I start selling you. It'll be easy for him to rate you." Her enemy laughed as he pushed her forward and she landed in Seifer's arms.
"Hey…" He protested, something sounded odd in his voice, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was, it didn't sound as cold as she expected, "This wasn't part of the deal."
"Hmph, I thought you might enjoy it. Oh well, If you don't want her then I'll have to get someone else to do it. Somebody has to take the bitch for a test drive." Blake scowled.
"Alright, alright." He agreed, "I'll do it."
"Ungh." She cried, trying to get away from him as he pulled her closer.
"Resistance really is futile." Blake sighed happily at her growing discomfort when Seifer pressed his lips against hers, roughly, and probed her tongue with his.
I hat this! Why, Seifer? Why couldn't you just come through for me this once?! What have I ever done to you to deserve this? Now, you're going to treat me like one of your sluts and you're going to rape me in front of this…this…inhuman bastard! Haven't you already done enough? You have to be even crueler to me? For what? Is there something that you're out to prove here? I want to die, just kill me now and save me from the humiliation, shame, and even more pain, if that's at all possible right now…
She felt him tug away her arms that she was using, in a desperate effort, to cover her body from him. She could only wriggle in uneasiness when he placed his hands on her and fingered her chest, which was practically already exposed due to the skimpy dress. He was so heartless, it seemed, and she shivered as he pressed his body against hers.
"N-no." Quistis mumbled as he pushed her back with him onto the bed.
He ran one hand through her hair while using the other to pin her down underneath him as he climbed on top of her. Seifer reached for the top of her dress to take it off but she tried to claw away his hand with her nails. It only got him angry so that he tore off one of her straps and shoved her hand away. The cheap material fell down to her waist, leaving her half naked as he fondled her body and she thrashed at him.
It was no use, soon his mouth was on hers again and she felt his hand on her leg when he began inching up and getting up to her mid-thigh. In one last, frantic attempt to get him off, she bit his lip and he pulled away for a second, cursing at her while wiping away the blood she had drawn. His hand slid under the dress and was soon farther, it made her want to smack his stupid fingers away.
It was different from the times she had been with him of her own will. He was forcing this on her, doing it against her will. He was her enemy now, just another one of Blake's cronies. Now, he was getting nearer, he would get his way and Blake would come out as the victor in all of this. She had failed, this was it, the end was close, the wheels were set in motion and it was too late to get away.
Seifer was fumbling with his belt, eagerly anticipating what was about to occur, either that or he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. They were so estranged, he felt like a stranger when he pinned her down, there was no meaning in what they were doing, only the hatred that she felt.
Her attacker was no mounted so that his body weight kept her down and he was pressing Quistis hands back as well, preventing the female from getting away. His tongue, exploring her mouth, kept the blonde from shouting or protesting as he pulled down her fishnets and tore off the boots that also covered her legs. Reaching for his pants, he fumbled with the belt and ripped down the zipper, giving her a moment of freedom when he focused on his clothes.
At that time, she pushed him over on the mattress and flung herself on top of him as they fought. She dug her nails into his arms when he tried to grab her, in response, Seifer took hold of her wrists and held her close as she tried to roll off of him, but couldn't slide away because of his strong grip. In panic, she brought up her knees to ram into his member, yelping out in pain as she accidentally smacked her head against the headboard.
"Seifer, don't do this!" Quistis pleaded with him as he pushed himself onto her.
"Just follow my lead, Love." He whispered, before licking her ear and making her cringe.
He moved his hips back…
This is it. Please just get off. This isn't you!
One more deep breath…
Someone…anyone…help! She closed her eyes and braced herself.
And with that, he thrusted forward. She clenched her fists, expecting to get the familiar sensation she felt when he was inside her, however it didn't come and she realized he hadn't even entered her, even though he was now moving back and forth, up and down vigorously. She narrowed her eyes in confusion, staring at him.
"Like I said, just follow me." He breathed heavily in a barely audible voice. She didn't know what was happening, why he was telling her this now.
Finally, it hit her: he wasn't going to force her to do anything, just telling her to play along. She didn't know why he was doing this if he had an alliance with Blake. Seifer was the one that was responsible for this whole mess, yet when he was supposed to be carrying out an order from his superior, her foe, he was trying not to hurt her. Even though she knew he was still probably against her, she decided to listen to him and moved her body with his, rigidly.
She saw him smile and nod as she moved and threw in her own acting skills as Blake watched, smirking coldly. The plan was working, he thought that they were joined, thought that Seifer was actually raping her as he groaned.
"See, I'm not as horrible as you think." He murmured before slowly placing his mouth over hers for a quick kiss.
"The sooner this is over with, the better."
"Fine, then start your moaning so I can have my pleasure."
"You really think I'd moan and call out your name if I was actually being raped?"
"You'd better, or I'll be forced to find out."
"You're sick."
"I know, now shut up or he'll get-"
"Suspicious…ooh yes…" she pretended to moan.
"Mmm." He replied, starting to move faster.
"I can't believe I'm doing something this stupid…Aahh."
"Baby…" The bed began to creak and Blake sighed, checking his watch.
"I really do hate you for this." She began breathing faster before closing her eyes and biting her lip for a moment, "Oh God, Seifer!" She cried out, gasping.
"Love…Quistis…" He grunted loudly, going even harder for a moment before slowing down and she stopped moving with him.
As they laid there, both panting, she frowned in disgust as he pinched her before getting off and sitting up, wiping a few beads of sweat off his forehead.
"Alright, Almasy, what would you give her?"
Quistis got up as well, pulling up her dress in an effort to cover herself because of the annoying broken strap that kept making it fall down as she stood up.
"Hmm…I don't know. She wasn't that great, really."
"Come on, you looked pretty-"
"Nah, she's okay I guess, but I don't think I'd become a return customer if I was paying for her. I've had her before, in bed, she just doesn't compare to Denise or," He snorted, "Rinoa."
She felt her face becoming red, though she wasn't quite sure what it was from, the feeling quickly turned to anger as Seifer draped his arm around her. The ex-general scratched his head, wondering what he should do with the girl. At that time, the other blonde had his arms enveloped around her waist and held her close, despite her attempts to push him away while he kissed the top of her head.
"Let me have her." He suggested. She widened her eyes in surprise and squirmed in the embrace.
"What? I thought you said…?"
"I know, but with time I could teach her. She could probably bring in a lot of money if she was trained properly and we gave her a whip. It's really tight, if you get what I'm saying."
Blake scowled but took the idea into consideration as he rubbed his chin and studied them.
"I think I want to try the skank out for myself. Teach her my own lesson."
"Hey man-" Seifer sighed, realizing that he couldn't protest, "She's still fresh, don't get too rough."
Reluctantly, he let go of her and gave her a shove towards her opponent.
Seifer! Her eyes pleaded with him, suddenly she still wanted to be in his arms. At least when she was with him, all she had to do was pretend.
"Maybe that's what she needs, hmm?" He opened the door and smiled cruelly.
Don't let him do this! How can you let this happen? You're right here, stop him! What's wrong with you? Aren't you the same person that wanted to save me just a few seconds ago by not hurting me…?
"Goodbye, Love." He quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her close for a brief moment one more, kissing her hard, violently almost. She responded this time, just for a second because it was likely that it would be the last time she ever felt his lips on hers. Quistis only allowed a single tears to spill down her face as she was led out in the hall, away from him, and he frowned before shaking his head in defeat.