Scream Introducing FFVII
Chapter 4:
Aeris opened up a plastic bag that contained Sky Zinnia seeds to plant in her little garden in the backyard. She scattered a few around the tulips.
"The zinnias will look beautiful with the tulips," She said to herself.
Bending down, she took a handful of earth and covered the seed under it. She took out her pitcher of water and poured a few drops along the tiny earth mounds.
"I really hope these turn out good," Aeris said. "I want mother to pleased with the garden when she comes home. After all, she placed all the responsiblity of taking care of the garden in my hands. I have to keep track of the amount of sunlight and water I use on the seeds."
Aeris had a thermometer with her to take the temperature of the water. "Hmm...a 70. Hmm....*sigh* Well. I guess it'll have to do. Elmyra did-ugh. I mean mother didn't give me a list of temperatures for the water. I thought they had to be a certain temperature."
Aeris gave a loud sigh. "So much for that. I hope they won't get ruined."
Aeris glanced around the garden. "It's so peaceful here, yet, something is missing. Hmm...maybe...maybe we should put tulip-wreaths around the gate. That would be a good idea. Elmy-ooh! I mean mother would be so happy. I'll have to find some time to get those vineyard seeds."
As Aeris studied the garden, she noticed that two of Elmyra's favorite flowers were ruined. "Oh no! Those two Angel's Trumpets! Those were El...oh. Those were mother's favorites! What happened? It looks like they were chopped off, judging from the leaves and stems that have fallen near them. It was probably Sephiroth. That jerk! What's wrong with him?! *sigh* I seriously wish he was dead. As far as I'm concerned, he's just a stranger that El-Mother has taken under her wing. He's not my brother. Just a jerk-off who happens to live under mother's care. Gosh! Even when he's not around he makes me mad! El-ooooh! This is so stupid! Why do I keep saying Elmyra?! She's my mother....*sigh* but she's not my real mother. If my real mom were alive, I wonder how things would change....would Sephiroth be here? I just hope he doesn't come back any time soon. I hate him. Ugh. I just hate him! Just thinking about hating him makes me hate him even more! O.K. Aeris. Slow it down a bit. He's not here. You're here. You're supposed to take care of the garden. He's supposed to fight and kill monsters, and get lots of publicity. O.K.?"
Aeris shook her head in dismay. "*sigh* Why can't Sephiroth just drop dead?"
"Because he's an arrogant jerk who wants to keep his fans happy," came a voice from behind Aeris.
Aeris swirled around. "Cloud!" She was startled.
Cloud walked up to her, smiling. "Hey Aeris. What are you doing?"
Aeris looked confused, and almost angry. "What am I doing? What are you doing? How did you get in?!"
"The door of course."
"The door was unlocked?!" Aeris exclaimed.
"Yeah, but don't worry though. I locked it for ya'."
Aeris shook her head. "I can't believe I left the door open."
"It wasn't open. It was just unlocked."
"Anyone could have come in here and stole all our things. I could have been held hostage, raped...maybe even murdered," Aeris said in a frightened tone. "What kind of home-carer am I?! Mom tells me to look after the house and garden. What do I do? I ruined two of her most favorite perfectly fresh flowers, no wait, that was Sephiroth. But I left the door unlocked! How could I?!"
Cloud shrugged. "It happens Aeris. But you don't have to worry about that now. I took care of it remember?"
Aeris nodded. "Right, but still...I had a responsiblity to live up to and I didn't. I'd make a terrible baby-sitter, even worse, a wife or mother!"
Aeris was off in another world, but Cloud was listening closely to every word.
"I don't think you'd make a bad wife or a mother," Cloud told her. "I mean, you can cook and you can clean right?"
Aeris shrugged. "I guess so. But I don't cook very well."
Cloud stared at her for a couple of seconds and laughed.
Aeris narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny?!"
Cloud continued to laugh.
Aeris put her hands on her hips. "Aren't you going to tell me?! I demand to know!"
Cloud placed his hand on his stomach. "Haha! Ooh. I'm sorry. But seriously, you can't cook very well?! That's bull! I've seen you cook! You can cook really well! You cook like my mom."
Aeris looked up, tiny smile irking on her lips. "You're mom?"
"Yeah. She used to cook just like you. And you remind me of her when she gets mad. She'd put her hands on her hips and say things like, 'don't argue with me,' or 'I demand to know!' Just like that! Like what you were just doing."
Aeris smiled a bit more. "Yeah. Well, I still think I'm not a good cook."
"Okay, then let's test that theory," Cloud said.
Aeris gave Cloud a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
"You cook, I taste, I judge, you agree."
Aeris tilted her head to one side, still a little confused. Then she realized what Cloud meant. "Oh...okay. I get it. You want me to cook something for you. You'll taste it, decide whether or not it was good. And whatever you say I have to agree on right?"
Cloud nodded. "Exactly. Except I'm also doing this to get some food out of it."
"What do you mean?" Aeris asked.
"I haven't eaten anything since early last night," Cloud told her.
"Oh..you poor thing, you must be starving," Aeris said in a sincere tone. "I'll make you an offer you can't put down. If you stay and help me with the garden, I'll provide all your meals for the rest of the day. How about it? Sounds fair?"
Cloud beamed. "I think you're being too generous.....but I agree!"
Aeris giggled. "Great. We'll come back to the garden later. You're hungry, so we'll eat first."
Aeris guided Cloud into the house. "Sit here." She pointed to an empty chair at the table. "I'm going to make something. It's noon, I'll make you some lunch."
"Great," Cloud said. "Hey, is Sephiroth here?"
Aeris gave an exasperated sigh. "No, he's not."
"Good!" Cloud exclaimed with a smile.
Aeris turned around, suprised. "What do you mean 'good'? I thought you and Sephiroth were friends now."
Cloud shook his head. "We aren't. It's kind of a long story."
Aeris shrugged. "Well, when we're working in the garden, you can tell me all about it. Sephiroth isn't really my brother."
Cloud nodded. "Yeah, he's too proud and narcissistic to be your brother."
"Narcissistic? What does that mean?" Aeris asked.
Cloud looked at her nervously. "Uh, nothing."
"I'm so sorry you didn't have a chance to eat anything today," Aeris told him sympathetically.
Cloud smiled. "I'd rather starve than not have a chance to see you."
Aeris blushed. "Really?" Maybe I should tell him what I've been wanting to tell him for years. Should I tell him now? Should I tell him that I....
Cloud covered his mouth, just realizing what he had said. His face felt hot and red. "Uh...have you got lunch ready yet? I'm starved."
Aeris frowned. "Sure. Just a moment." I guess he doesn't want me.
That evening, Aeris was sitting on her bed looking out the window that Sephiroth had installed in her room. She wanted to break it.
Cloud came in, his hands were rough and dry, and his fingernails had dirt clogging in them. He looked really tired, and sweaty. "Hey Aeris. I'm done."
Aeris turned to him and smiled. "Good job, Cloud."
Cloud nodded. "I uh....guess I should be getting back now."
Aeris, noticing Cloud's hands and face, suggested, "Why don't you wash up a bit before you go."
Cloud nodded. He turned away and headed to the bathroom, which was downstairs.
Aeris clutching to the bed sheets, still stared at the outside world through the window. Why is Sephiroth my brother?! Why can't he be someone else's brother. Why did it have to be me?! All these thoughts and more stirred through Aeris's mind.
A few minutes later, Cloud came into her room. His fingernails were clean, and his face was washed and cleansed. He seemed a bit nervous. "Um, I'm going to go now Aeris. I want to thank you for the food. It was really delicious."
Aeris didn't answer.
She must not want to talk to me. "Well, I'm going Aeris. Aeris?.....Aeris?"
Cloud came up to her face. "Aeris?!"
Aeris hadn't even noticed Cloud was there. She was too deep in thought.
Cloud gave her a hard shake. "Aeris wake up!"
Aeris gasped. "Oh. Cloud....I'm so sorry."
Cloud gave a sigh of relief. "That's okay Aeris. Just wanted to know if you were still there."
Cloud noticed the window, he hadn't noticed it before. "Where did you get the window from?"
"A so-called present from Sephiroth," Aeris muttered.
"The only presents Sephiroth gives out are autographs signed by him," Cloud said. He sat down beside Aeris. "The window is nice though."
Aeris narrowed her eyes. "I feel like breaking it."
"Why?" Cloud asked.
"I never asked for this. If Sephiroth thinks he can win my friendship through bribery, he is surely mistaken."
"Don't worry about Sephiroth. He's got his own agendas to worry about."
Aeris smiled. "You're right. I shouldn't worry about him."
"Again, I want to thank you for the food. It was really good. Didn't I tell you you were a good cook?" Cloud beamed.
Aeris blushed. "Well, I'm not exactly the best cook, but I try."
Cloud patted Aeris on the back. "Well, I gotta go Aeris. Bye."
He only loves me like a sister; it's Tifa he really likes. "Cloud! Wait!"
Cloud halted and turned around, startled. "Yes?"
Aeris breathed in deeply. Okay Aeris, you're going to do this. You're going to tell Cloud right now, before he leaves, and while Sephiroth isn't around. You're going to tell Cloud you love him. You are going to do this. You've backed out before. You're not going to back out this time. Now move your tush, and get on with it! Aeris fidgeted with her fingers, and just sort of stuttered out the words at first. "Cloud, I-I-I, I uh....I wanted to say that I uh...that I'm....that I just...."
Cloud scatched his head, and laughed. "Aeris what are you trying to say?"
"That I....." Oh for goodness sakes Aeris, JUST SAY IT! Aeris took a huge breath, and quickly spat out what she was trying to say. "Cloud I think it's great that you came over. And I just wanted to say that I really like you. I like you alot. As a matter of fact, I think I love you. I know you like Tifa, and that you aren't interested in me, and I totally understand that, but I just wanted you to know that I think you are the greatest. And I had to say that before you left, cause I'd never get the chance if Sephiroth were here. And I feel really really stupid right now, and I...I well I......um....you heard me Cloud Strife. I love you." With slight hesitation, she pulled Cloud's face to her's and kissed him. She pulled away slowly, stared at him for a couple of seconds, then feeling shy and embarassed quickly sat down upon the bed with her back facing him. She put her face in her hands. I can't believe I did that. What was I thinking?
Cloud touched his lips. I can't believe she did that. Now I know the truth. Cloud walked up to Aeris.
Aeris saw his face and turned away.
He kneeled down to her at head level.
Aeris gave Cloud a look. She could feel her heart beating faster and faster. Why is he looking at me like that?
Cloud leaned towards Aeris.
"Cloud, what are you doing?!" Aeris demanded.
Cloud didn't answer. He just pressed his lips to hers to make her be quiet.
Aeris was suprised. But she didn't want him to stop. His lips were so warm and sweet. She almost felt like crying.
Cloud couldn't believe his luck. This was the way he wanted the night to end, and it did. They locked their lips passionatley, in a heated embrace. Aeris could feel Cloud's arms crushing her against him.
The kiss deepened, as Cloud pulled Aeris down on the bed. He slowly moved his lips down her chin and began massaging her neck.
At that warm moment, Aeris opened her eyes. She had heard a noise downstairs. Cloud heard it too. He really didn't want to stop, but Aeris pushed Cloud back. "Did you hear that?"
Cloud shook his head, although he knew he had heard it too. "I didn't hear anything." He pulled Aeris to him. He ran his fingers through her hair, kissing her with a passion.
Aeris pushed Cloud back again. "No, really. I heard something. I'm worried about it." Her face said it all. She was worried.
Cloud rolled his eyes. "You want me to go check it out?"
Aeris nodded. "Could you?"
Cloud sighed, but grinned. "Sure. Wait here."
Aeris did wait. Only a few minutes had past, but Cloud hadn't returned. Aeris told herself that he was just being cautious. More minutes passed, until a full ten minutes had been taken up. Aeris was getting worried. Where is he?
Aeris got up and paced back and forth. I don't want to go down there. This is silly. Why is he taking so long?! Ugh. Okay Aeris, don't go crazy.
The phone started to ring. Aeris shrieked.
She picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Aeris. It's Sephiroth. Look, I'm over at the airport in Midgar. I should be home soon. I just got out of the plane. I have to get my bags checked and everything. I'll be home soon though."
Aeris frowned, damnet. "Yeah, okay."
"By the way, did you happen to see Cloud? Did he stop by? Do you know where he is now? If he's there, I want to speak with him. I got a few words, I'd like to say to him."
Aeris rolled her eyes. "He's not here!"
"Did he stop by?"
"Mm...no."
"Did you see him at all today?"
"For goodness sake! No! Now, why don't you go torture someone else. I'm busy!"
Not waiting for a reply, Aeris slammed down the phone.
Ugh! I'm so sick and tired of his- Aeris's thoughts were inturupted by the phone.
Ugh! Not again! What does he want this time?!
She picked it up, angrily. "Sephiroth, just bother someone else with your pathetic attempts to try and-"
"Hello Aeris."
Who's this? This isn't Sephiroth. "Uh hi...,who is this?"
"You tell me."
It was a man. He had a deep, low, sexy voice, but Aeris had no idea who it was. "Well I...I have no idea."
"Scary night isn't it. With all the murders in Wutai, it's just like something out of a horror movie."
Aeris's eyes might have just popped out of her head. "Murders? In Wutai?!"
"Oh. Haven't heard yet, huh?"
Aeris shook her head. "No. What happened."
The man paused. "I'd rather not bore you with all the gory descriptions. It probably wouldn't matter to you, unless you knew some girl named Yuffie, and this guy named Reno."
Aeris's mouth dropped. "Yuffie...Reno?"
"Yeah...sad story eh? The two of them were dating. Guy came in the house, and gutted them, until they were nothing put piles of oozing gut."
"Eww...are you sure that happened?" Aeris asked.
"See...I told you, you wouldn't want to know about all the gory description. Anyways, they uh...never found the bodies."
Aeris lifted one eyebrow. "Then how would you know they were both killed."
"I don't. I just heard about it."
Wutai eh? Sephiroth was there last night. Oh. I get it. This is Sephiroth trying to scare me with some goofy horror tale. Nice try, Sephiroth. There was a long pause before Aeris said anything. "I must say Sephiroth, nice try. You gave yourself away."
"Do you like Scary movies Aeris?"
Aeris smirked. "I like what you're doing with your voice Sephiroth; It's sexy."
"Whats your favorite scary movie Aeris?"
"Ugh. I don't watch that crap."
"Why not? Too scared?"
"No no, what's the point they are all the same. Some stupid killer stalking some big breasted girl that can't act when she is running up the steps when she should be going out the front door...it's insulting."
"Are you alone in the house?"
"Sephiroth, that's so un-original. I'm so dissapointed in you."
"Maybe that's because I'm not Sephiroth."
Hmm...this isn't Sephiroth eh? Aeris was puzzled. "So, who are you?"
"The question isn't who am I, it's where am I?"
What?! I don't get this. "S...so where are you?"
"I'm in your garden."
Aeris was a little bit more worried now. "Why would you be calling from my garden?" Aeris looked out the window. She didn't see anyone. Quietly, but quickly she headed down the stairs, towards the front door.
"That's the original part," came the man's suspenseful reply.
Swallowing in her fear, Aeris shrugged and said, "Oh yeah, I call you a bluff."
Aeris unlocked the door and then opened it. She stepped outside, and took a long look around. Bringing the phone to her ear, she asked, "So where are you?"
"Right here."
Aeris looked around some more. Is he really here. Maybe this is still Sephiroth, and he's already arrived and trying to suprise me or something. She hadn't seen Cloud at all when she came downstairs. She didn't see him outside either. So, Aeris took a chance and decided to try something. "Can you see me now?" she asked.
"Uh huh."
"Ahh...," Aeris smiled. She put a finger up her nose. "What am I doing huh? What am I DOING?! Hello....?"
There was a long pause.
"Nice try Sephiroth. Next time, call someone who's dumb enough to fall for your pathetic pranks. Bye now."
But before she could hang up, the man shouted angrily to her, "If you hang up on me now you'll die just like your mother!"
Aeris's eyes widened, and she put a hand to her mouth.
"Do you want to die Aeris? Your mother sure didn't."
"Fuck you cretin!"
Aeris ran into the house and locked the door. From behind her a cloaked figure with a sad ghostly face launched at her from out of the closet, slashing at her with a knife. Aeris ducked and fell on the floor.
The figure headbutted Aeris, and she fell down on the floor, dazed. The figure lifted a knife up to her and was about to bring it down. Aeris didn't realize it at first, but when she finally came out of daze she did, and kicked the figure off her. She got up quickly and tried to open the front door. It was locked.
"Oh crap!" She gasped. Thinking fast she dodged out of the way before the figure could stab her with his knife. The knife got caught in the door. Aeris didn't waste any time. She knew she had no chance but upstairs. The figure followed right behind her. She ran into her room, slammed the door and locked it.
"Shit!" Aeris cried.
Realizing, she still had the phone with her, Aeris dialed the emergancy phone-no. 911. The figure was still slashing his knife a round, trying to get in. Knowing he doesn't didn't have that chance, he left.
Aeris breathed a sigh of relief. He's gone. Who the hell was he?!
Aeris gasped, as she saw Cloud climb through her window.
"Cloud!" Aeris shrieked.
"The door was locked. I heard you screaming, are you alright?"
Aeris was literally in tears. "The killer is here. He's in the house."
Aeris clung to Cloud for protection. Cloud stroked her hair. "He's gone Aeris, he's gone. It'll be alright." He kissed the top of her head. He tried to sooth her, but she was still in tears.
A cellular phone fell out from Cloud's pocket, to the floor.
Aeris looked down, and shook her head in astonishment. This can't be. She slowly backed away from Cloud.
Cloud looked confused. "What?"
Aeris narrowed her eyes, and wiped a tear from her eye. "It's you...," she said in a voice so softly, that she couldn't even hear herself. "It was you..."
Aeris turned around, unlocked the door and ran out of her bedroom.
"Whoa, whoa, wait! Aeris wait! Wait!"
Cloud followed her, shouting, "Wait! Wait! Hold up! Aeris, what's going on?"
Cloud called out to her, "Aeris come back, Aeris!"
Aeris opened the front door. She looked out and saw the mask of the killer. Aeris drew back and screamed.
Tseng who had been holding the mask screamed too. He was with some of the other neighbors of Sector 7, which had been re-named "The Gardens." Some paramedics were there, as well as the Shinra police.
"Sorry. I found this." He pointed at Cloud. "Come on."
Before Cloud could even say a word, he was being hauled out by the police.
"Alright, hold your hands together," came one of the police officer's gruff voice.
"Do you wish to remain silent?" Tseng asked. He had just recently joined the new police unit, under the supervision of the new Shinra president.
"I didn't do anything," Cloud told him.
"Do you wish to give up your right to speak to an attorney and have them present during questioning?"
Aeris was taken by some of the neighbors over to the ambulance which was parked near one of the mobile homes in the back of the The Gardens.
Cloud made a gesture with his head, indicating Aeris. "Ask her, she'll tell you."
Rufus, who had been badly burned in the fire, and with a few stitches, had to be in the hospital for several months, before he was fully recovered. He had no memory whatsoever. As the months rolled by, he went from weapons assitant director at Shinra to being promoted as the Chief of police. His official name had become Sheriff Rufus. "What do we have here Tseng?" He asked.
"I caught him Sheriff," Tseng said proudly.
"Who is that?" asked Sheriff Rufus.
"Whats your name son?" Tseng asked.
"Cloud, Cloud Strife. Sherrif, call these guys off. I didn't do it! Sherrif, wait! Call him, he'll tell you. Call him!"
Cloud looked over at Aeris, his eyes were pleading. "Aeris...Aeris."
Sheriff Rufus glanced at Aeris. "How's she doing?"
Tseng smiled at Aeris. "Aeris is tougher than she looks."
"She'd have to be after all the shit she's been through."
Aeris was sitting inside the ambulance, wrapped in a blanket, being checked by the medical staff.
Sheriff Rufus looked Aeris up and down. "Are you going to be able to come down to the station and answer a few questions?"
A few more cars pulled up. Out of one of the cars jumped Sephiroth. Seeing all the commotion, he started to run.
"Oh no! Aeris! What the hell happened here?!"
"Sephiroth, I'm afraid you can't be here. This is an official crime scene."
Even Sephiroth's protection was okay. Aeris hated to admitt it, but she was glad Sephiroth was there. "It's okay."
Tseng glanced at the house. "Since this is a crime scene. Aeris won't be able to spend the night here. I suppose you know a place she can stay?"
Sephiroth nodded.
Tseng wasn't only a cop, but also a close friend of Aeris. "She sure had a shock."
Sephiroth nodded, puzzled. "Can you explain to me whats going on?"
Tseng glanced at Aeris, and pulled Sephiroth over to explain to him what had happened in private.
Cloud was hand-cuffed and Rufus was keeping a close eye on him.
I can't believe this! I can't believe Cloud did this! It just can't be true! Aeris stared hard at Cloud. Cloud gazed back at her, but he didn't smile. He just shook his head and sighed.
Aeris's eyes started to water, and her lower lip trembled.
Tseng noticing this came over to her. "Don't cry Aeris. Please don't. We're going to find out who did this. Okay?"
Aeris took a deep breath, and nodded. "Sephiroth?"
Sephiroth turned. "Yes Aeris?"
"I want to leave," Aeris told him. "I want to leave now."
Sephiroth shook his head. "It's not as easy as you think Aeris. You'll have to answer some questions first. But right after questioning we'll leave. And I promise you, we'll be long gone from here."
"Could we stay with Tifa?" Aeris asked.
Sephiroth looked around nervously. "Uh...Tifa? Uh...where does she live?"
Aeris shrugged. "I just want to be with people I know."
Sephiroth glanced at Cloud. "Do you think he did this?"
Aeris shook her head. "I don't want to believe it...but he could be. I honestly don't want it to be him. It can't be him."
Sephiroth soothed Aeris's hair. "Well if it is him, he'll be sure to get punished."