Chapter 2: Bodies

Chapter 2: Bodies

Tifa exited the plane, after a moment she saw Aeris. They hugged and got her bags. Aeris was concerned, her friend didn't look too well, and she was going to be looking at her dead lovers body.

Aeris] Are you sure you need to do this Tiff?

Tifa] Yes Aeris, I am quite sure. He… wrote to me.

They got in Aeris' BMW Coop.

Aeris] Who?

Tifa] Sephiroth.

Aeris] My god… have you told anyone?

Tifa] No, and we are going to keep in that way, right?

Aeris gave a little nod as they left the parking lot.

Aeris] Did he, say anything bad?

Tifa] No, but he did say that he wasn't the one who killed Vincent.

Aeris] Hmm, well I only looked at the body once. I didn't find anything out of the ordinary. And at the crime scene we did find some hair and tissue samples, both of which WERE Sephiroth's.

Tifa] But why lie, its not like him?

Aeris] I know, so I checked a bit deeper. Apparently the samples are pretty old, but the slash marks are a dead match, as well as the designs.

Tifa] The blade was the same?

Aeris] Yep, an exact match.

Tifa] I still want to look.

Aeris] Tifa, are you sure you want to do this?

Tifa] Yes, we need to get it done. And in a way… its like saying goodbye. His family is going to cremate his body and throw the ashes into the ocean.

Aeris] That sounds nice, are you going?

Tifa] No, I need to get this case closed, for good.

Aeris] But he was important to you Tifa.

Tifa] You don't think I know that? Vincent was a great man, and finding his killer will be thanks enough for treating me like a real person, and for loving me.

Aeris] Was he your first true love?

Tifa] Yes he was, and it will take a lot for someone to even equal him on a scale.

Aeris] I'm so sorry Tifa, I really am.

Tifa] Thanks Aeris.

They came to the station, it looked the same but was closed down and being remodeled. Apparently it was shut down and now was going to be a small clinic of some kind.

Tifa] What happened Aeris?

Aeris] After Sephiroth came in and took you, all the officers quit or got transferred. So its empty except for me.

Tifa] Great, well, lets go.

Aeris] Right…

They went inside, then down the damp steps to Aeris' lab. They headed into the cold storage, and there was a black body bag on the operating table.

They each put on gloves and masks. Then Aeris removed the bag past his chest. His wonderful chest was torn here and there. Large gaping wounds somehow joining to make an odd design.

Tifa] God…

Aeris] Entry wounds, starting at the top and ran down. The designs are that of maybe gothic crosses and other characters…

Tifa looked up at Aeris, she was looking at her. Tears filled Tifa's eyes, but she held them back.

Aeris] Ok, go ahead friend.

Tifa, despite all the emotions she was obviously feeling, leaned close and looked at the wounds.

Tifa] Do you have any pictures of- -

Like an instinct, Aeris handed Tifa pictures of wounds from previous "Sephiroth Murder Cases".

Thanks

She looked at them, then at the wounds, then at the pictures again.

Aeris] See, an exact match.

Tifa] Yeah, even to the entry wounds… but wait.

She looked close again.

Something isn't right, but I can't put my foot on it. Listen, I need you to take some blood from the wound itself. The blade should leave some residue, I want to see exactly what the blade is made of.

Aeris] We all know the blade is white gold.

Tifa] Do it anyway, ok?

Aeris] Alright.

She takes some blood, then takes the sample to the back room to analyze.

Tifa] The letter, remember what the letter said…

A flashback from the past comes back: She is on the operating table next to Cloud, she screams as Sephiroth sticks the knife and pulls up to expose lungs. She snaps out of it and looks at the wounds again.

Oh my god… these wounds…

Aeris comes out.

Aeris] Hey Tiff, here you go.

Tifa takes them, then read quickly.

Tifa] Oh god… the blade is made of silver.

Aeris] And?

Tifa] Sterling silver..

Aeris] Oh my god…

Tifa] That's not all, on the bodies the wounds always go from bottom up, the killer is left handed, Sephiroth isn't.

Aeris] We have another one loose out there Tiff.

Tifa] I know Aeris, and…

Aeris] And what?

Tifa turns to Aeris and removes her mask.

Tifa] I need Sephiroth to help me find him…