Stuck in a Moment
by 1Grrl4Vic
Disclaimer: I know they belong to Square. You know they belong to Square. Square knows they belong to Square. Is there a pattern forming here?
Author's notes: Hope you like this one. The idea had been rattling around in my head for some time. And then on my way to work, U2's "Stuck in a Moment...." came on the radio. Originally, I had planned on titling this "Hanging by a Moment" after the Lifehouse song. But Bono and the boys struck a cord with me on that cold, drizzly morning. I wrote this story in under 90minutes on my little notepad I carry with me everywhere. Hey, you never know when inspiration's going to strike! Anyways, completely disregarding the fact that I was supposed to be WORKING, I hashed out this short, melancholy, point-of-view piece. Please let me know how you like it!
For Vicchic: You're not allowed to read this until you've seen the movie! Read this before then and I'll kick your a$$. I've got 4wks of vacation time... I'll come up there. Don't think I won't!
SPOILERS for 'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within'
When her eyes snapped open, the first thing that registered with Jane Proudfoot was the color. That bright orange glow, horrifying in its intensity, consumed her vision. She was frozen in place. Unable to move, unable to simply reach out a hand to his and pull him from death's alien grip. With a sickeningly audible tear, Neil's spirit was pulled from his body.
Jane's eyes followed Neil's glowing, blue form as the alien ghost pulled away from the man's body, holding the prize up like a speared fish. The solid thud of Neil's corpse hitting the platform deck brought Jane's awareness back, the choking sorrow replaced with a blinding rage. She fired her weapon at the advancing phantom with a sad and hateful cry. Wanting nothing more than to destroy the creature that had taken Neil from her life.
He was a teammate. More than that, he was a friend. And although she felt more strongly towards Neil than to Ryan or the captain, she never told him so. Preferring instead to hide her feelings behind a mask of macho feminism, never allowing him to know how much she cared for him. How much she would miss him if he ever left her alone.
The glowing beast slowly faded, the being having been destroyed. But Jane continued to fire her weapon. It finally signified its rounds had been depleted with steady clicking as she held on to the trigger.
Her captain's voice brought her back one more, yelling for her to run, to get to safety. Jane swung her head left then right, an emptiness settling in her chest. It almost felt like loneliness.
Jane simply didn't care anymore. She'd given almost ten years of her life to the fight. And despite all of the military's efforts, the world was still losing everyday to the mysterious invaders. Neil was gone. What was one more soldier?
Calmly, she set her gun aside, sparing a quick glance at Neil's still form. Her heart was racing. She was scared, nervous and excited. And she hoped the captain wouldn't be too disappointed with her. But she knew she wouldn't be able to fight with the same passion and courage if Neil wasn't there. The thundering of her pulse almost overwhelmed the captain's plea for her to get out. She silently asked for his forgiveness, switching the comm-unit off.
Closing her eyes, she waited.
When her eyes snapped open, the first thing that registered with Jane Proudfoot was the color.
by 1Grrl4Vic
Disclaimer: I know they belong to Square. You know they belong to Square. Square knows they belong to Square. Is there a pattern forming here?
Author's notes: Hope you like this one. The idea had been rattling around in my head for some time. And then on my way to work, U2's "Stuck in a Moment...." came on the radio. Originally, I had planned on titling this "Hanging by a Moment" after the Lifehouse song. But Bono and the boys struck a cord with me on that cold, drizzly morning. I wrote this story in under 90minutes on my little notepad I carry with me everywhere. Hey, you never know when inspiration's going to strike! Anyways, completely disregarding the fact that I was supposed to be WORKING, I hashed out this short, melancholy, point-of-view piece. Please let me know how you like it!
For Vicchic: You're not allowed to read this until you've seen the movie! Read this before then and I'll kick your a$$. I've got 4wks of vacation time... I'll come up there. Don't think I won't!
SPOILERS for 'Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within'
When her eyes snapped open, the first thing that registered with Jane Proudfoot was the color. That bright orange glow, horrifying in its intensity, consumed her vision. She was frozen in place. Unable to move, unable to simply reach out a hand to his and pull him from death's alien grip. With a sickeningly audible tear, Neil's spirit was pulled from his body.
Jane's eyes followed Neil's glowing, blue form as the alien ghost pulled away from the man's body, holding the prize up like a speared fish. The solid thud of Neil's corpse hitting the platform deck brought Jane's awareness back, the choking sorrow replaced with a blinding rage. She fired her weapon at the advancing phantom with a sad and hateful cry. Wanting nothing more than to destroy the creature that had taken Neil from her life.
He was a teammate. More than that, he was a friend. And although she felt more strongly towards Neil than to Ryan or the captain, she never told him so. Preferring instead to hide her feelings behind a mask of macho feminism, never allowing him to know how much she cared for him. How much she would miss him if he ever left her alone.
The glowing beast slowly faded, the being having been destroyed. But Jane continued to fire her weapon. It finally signified its rounds had been depleted with steady clicking as she held on to the trigger.
Her captain's voice brought her back one more, yelling for her to run, to get to safety. Jane swung her head left then right, an emptiness settling in her chest. It almost felt like loneliness.
Jane simply didn't care anymore. She'd given almost ten years of her life to the fight. And despite all of the military's efforts, the world was still losing everyday to the mysterious invaders. Neil was gone. What was one more soldier?
Calmly, she set her gun aside, sparing a quick glance at Neil's still form. Her heart was racing. She was scared, nervous and excited. And she hoped the captain wouldn't be too disappointed with her. But she knew she wouldn't be able to fight with the same passion and courage if Neil wasn't there. The thundering of her pulse almost overwhelmed the captain's plea for her to get out. She silently asked for his forgiveness, switching the comm-unit off.
Closing her eyes, she waited.
When her eyes snapped open, the first thing that registered with Jane Proudfoot was the color.
