The Next Generation
(Author's Note: I own everyone. My name is Hironobu Sakaguchi, I'm a famous game designer, you might have heard of me. Not. I don't own nothing, not that they'd get anything if they sued me that is. I own Aliasha, Leyton, Zack, Lisa, Debra and Phoenix. Okies? Right, so Leyton's gone rushing off into the caves to save his team mates. Aliasha and crew are unconscious in a strange place. *the twilight zone theme plays in the background*. What could possibly happen next? I know! For a change, I've planned the story! Mwahahahahahahahaha *cough cough hack hack* ... This chapter contains reference to rape. Not described, but evident from the way it's written.)
Chapter Two: The Dream World And Everlasting Torture
They share the experiences of their parents. Powerful and disturbing memories...
Aliasha knew she was inside someone's head. She tried to look around but the person wouldn't move. What was happening? Aliasha tried to move the woman, but the woman wouldn't. Aliasha grew angry, why was she in a person's mind? Why wouldn't that person move? Where was she? When? How? She rebelled inside the woman's head. She heard the woman's thoughts.
I have a headache coming on. Must be the exam. It really takes a lot out of you... Aliasha tried to communicate with the woman but she wouldn't listen. The woman was walking through the familiar corridors of Balamb Garden. She was looking around, perhaps for someone. It was then that Aliasha saw the woman's reflection in the water. It was Quistis Trepe, her mother.
Mom! Mom, it's me! It's your daughter Aliasha! She cried inside Quistis's head. Either Quistis didn't hear or she ignored the shout completely. Aliasha realised that she could hear and feel exactly what her mother did. The slight feeling of annoyance as a certain cadet passed, or the pride as a SeeD walked passed. Aliasha decided to keep a low profile.
At least Squall made it back safely, and Seifer for that matter. When will that idiot learn to follow orders? I've trained him to the best of my ability, but he's just too disruptive. He's so stuck up! Then again, until today I had doubts that Squall could be a SeeD. He was so anti-social I thought working in a team would have been beyond him. Aliasha listened in silence and realised that this was over seventeen years ago. She wasn't born yet. If she tampered with Quistis Trepe's mind, perhaps she wouldn't even be born.
Quistis continued, she seemed to have fazed out completely. She wasn't watching where she was going at all. Aliasha saw the blonde haired man before Quistis did, and was about to warn her but unfortunately Quistis didn't hear her and walked straight into him. The man grunted and caught Quistis before she hit the floor.
"Oh, it's you instructor," The man said, helping her up. Aliasha swallowed. This man was her father. He wasn't even a SeeD? But Leyton had said he was the best fighter in Garden! Aliasha forced herself to pay attention to what was happening.
"Seifer Almasy, you should be in isolation! Get back to the detention room this instant!" Quistis commanded. Aliasha felt her mother's annoyance. It wasn't supposed to be like this! Unless she was a mistake? The words hit her hard. What if her parents hadn't loved each other, it was just a one night stand that had gone horribly wrong? Then something sank in, Seifer Almasy. The sorceress knight? The one who destroyed half the world and attacked Garden? The same Seifer who she'd been taught to hate with all her guts. He was the loving man who had hugged her and promised to take her to HappyLand? He couldn't be? Could he?
"As you wish Instructor," Seifer smirked. Quistis waved her hand at him and started walking again. Aliasha felt something tugging at her mind. She heard the screeching again. She was forced from her mother's body, and floated across to Seifer's.
Dammit! Why why why can't you just tell her Seifer? You big coward! The worst she can do is laugh! You'll never know if you don't tell her. You could shout her back, she's not out of ear shot just yet. Come on Seifer! Aliasha heard her father telling himself. Seifer loved Quistis, well that was a start at least. Aliasha went with him into the Detention Room and soon got bored. Her father was just sitting there, doing nothing very much, not even thinking really.
Suddenly a black-haired woman poked her face in the door. Seifer groaned inwardly. Aliasha only stared. Rinoa? Could it possibly be her? What was she doing in Garden? Why was she talking to Seifer? What was going on? Aliasha was confused. Seifer had mixed emotions towards Rinoa as well. Rinoa however seemed oblivious and bounded into the room, hugging Seifer tightly. Then giving him an extremely passionate kiss. Aliasha cringed in embarrassment. She wasn't supposed to know about this, she was certain.
"I'm gonna ask Cid to send SeeD to help our resistance group. You'll volunteer, won't you sweetie?" Rinoa asked, while taking a breather. Aliasha felt Seifer begin to feel guilty. She thinks you passed the exam. Better not tell her you didn't. Just tell her to meet you later at the ball and you'll introduce her to Cid. Aliasha raised her eyebrows, well she would have, if they weren't Seifer's.
"I'll meet you later then!" She said, after he'd explained. She kissed him, even more passionately, then left. Seifer slumped down onto his chair. He was using Rinoa, but she didn't seem to mind.
The screeching returned and Aliasha was transported to Quistis's mind. It was night time and it seemed a lot of time had passed. Quistis was sitting on the balcony in the Training Center, her eyes to the skies. Aliasha listened as Quistis's thoughts roamed through all the events that had happened since she'd last been inside Quistis's head. Aliasha was amazed, the entire Sorceress War had happened in that short space of time. Quistis's thoughts then turned to someone completely different.
Squall... Why can't you love me? Did I try too hard to change you? Or didn't I try enough? What does Rinoa have that I don't? Sure, she's pretty, but so am I. I know that's not very modest. I have brains, I'm more business like. I've loved you forever. Why can't you love me? Aliasha couldn't believe she was hearing this. What a weird revelation. Quistis had loved Squall, Rinoa and Seifer were going out. Suddenly, Seifer goes to be a Sorceress Knight and Rinoa goes off with Squall. Leaving Quistis and Seifer single. Seifer loved Quistis but was too shy to tell her. Wow, she could matchmake her parents.
"Quistis?" Quistis jumped. Aliasha recognised the voice. It was Seifer. Quistis didn't even turn around to look at him. Seifer walked forwards and sat down beside her. How had he got back into Garden? What had happened between him and Squall that would make Squall allow his nemesis back into Garden?
"Seifer," She replied coldly. What do you want? Can't you see I'm thinking?
"You're gonna hate me forever for saying this, but I've wanted to for so long..." Seifer started. Quistis moved away from him slightly. Aliasha fought to paralyze her mother's muscles to keep her still. In the battle of the wills, Aliasha eventually won. She hoped that Quistis thought that it was the fact that she didn't want to move.
"I guess the simpliest way for me to tell you wouldn't be with words. I'm not all that good with them, as you know," Seifer carried on. Quistis sat there. Aliasha let Quistis Trepe back in control of her body, Quistis was too curious now to think about moving away. Aliasha noticed that Seifer was leaning nearer. He gently kissed Quistis, but Quistis didn't kiss back. She pushed him away and climbed over the balcony, she ran from the training center as quickly as she could. Confused feelings were flitting through her.
Of all the nerve! How could he? Aliasha heard one part of her say. Another part was contradicting her. You liked that. Admit it Quistis. You've loved him for a while, that's why you never let you and Seifer be alone together. You used Squall as an excuse so you could hide from you feelings. Aliasha encouraged this side into speaking more. The screeching happened again. This time she didn't go to another of her parents minds. She awoke, and smelled burning flesh...
"WHERE'S SeeD?" The head roared. Aliasha opened her eyes and saw Phoenix being held against the wall, a burning hot poker was being pushed against his cheek. She watched as the poker was brought away, a horrible burn was left. Still, Phoenix wouldn't talk. Aliasha looked around, every where she looked her team was being tortured. Lisa and Debra were being hit repeatedly. Zack looked as though he'd gone through one or two rounds of torture and was having a breather. Aliasha sat up. Her head cleared.
"Ah, another one's awake. This one's the leader, we'll get more information out of her!" Someone said, grabbing her arm. She was pulled roughly to her feet. She struggled but the man's hold on her was too strong. He slammed her against the wall and two other men grabbed her, holding her still. The first man walked to the large fire in the middle of the cave and picked up a pair of tongues. Aliasha gritted her teeth. She wouldn't tell, no matter what he asked.
"Now, since you're the leader, I suppose you know where SeeD is. Where are they? How long have we got until they arrive?" The man asked. Aliasha remained silent. Why were the men asking? Why not just all split up and flee. There must be hundreds of ways out of the caves. They could get out, onto the comm. tower and then escape into Dollet and be gone by morning. Why were they waiting around? Maybe they wanted to be caught? They wanted hostages? The two men pulled at her blouse. Buttons popped off. They revealed the soft skin of her shoulders. The pokers bit into the skin and she cried out in pain.
"Tell us now! Or we kill them all!" The terrorist threatened. No, he wouldn't kill them all. He'd be lucky to even land a blow. Aliasha looked into his eyes and spat on him. Anger flared and he repeatedly pushed the poker into her shoulder. Each time with more force. Eventually Aliasha was sure her entire shoulder was burnt.
"Put her on the table! See if she likes her face the way it is!" The man shouted. Aliasha was taken to the table and was tied to it. The ropes were tight and bit into her skin. The man brought a knife close to her face and then slowly dragged the blade across her cheek. Blood welled up. She felt the warm blood begin to drip down her face. The table was near the fire and she began to sweat. The pain of her shoulder, her cheek and the uncomfortable heat of the fire. She only hoped that Garden found her soon. Then she remembered. Her little present for her team.
Tracking devices. She needed to get a terrorist to activate it by accident. It only took five seconds to trace a signal. They'd be there in minutes. She thought then decided to go for the trickery option. She wasn't very good with words, but she'd try anyhow.
"In my breast pocket is a device that will tell you where SeeD is. You just have to push the red button," Aliasha lied. She felt the man put his hand in her pocket. He groped a little, even though it was obvious where it was. Aliasha surpressed a shiver, and closed her eyes tightly. She felt him withdraw his hand, taking the tracking device with him. She heard the beep as it turned on and counted the seconds. 1...2...3...4...5... They'd definitely got the signal.
"This is a tracking device," the terrorist said blankly. Then his disbelief turned to rage. He leapt onto her and started to pull at her clothes. Aliasha prayed that they get there soon.
Aliasha awoke to find herself on the floor. She was covered in dust and dirt. Everything was aching. What had happened? Then it came flooding back to her. SeeD had stormed in, they'd grabbed Zack's Scatter and killed all the terroriests with one huge explosion. She must have been released from the table when it broke. She looked down at herself. She buttoned up her blouse and pulled her skirt down. She had to find the others, then she could wallow in self pity. The way the SeeDs had come in was blocked though.
Aliasha looked around, there was no one there. She'd have to find her own way out. She started to walk around the room. If she always took the left path then if she came to a dead end, she could navigate around. So she followed the left path, she followed it for what seemed like hours. She became tired, everything hurt. She finally found the main tunnel and light. Aliasha pledged never to leave it again. She fell in love with the light. She staggered out of the caves and collapsed in the wonderful glorious light.
Leyton had been sitting on a rock. Each of the candidates had been horrendously tortured. Aliasha, she hadn't made it. Leyton had never been hit so hard by the loss of a student. Aliasha should have become a SeeD. Instead he'd blown it. She wouldn't even have the fact that she was a SeeD on her obituary. Leyton put his head in his hands. He hadn't meant for it to turn out like this! If he could exchange places he would have. She was his best friend, although she had always mocked him. He wanted her back!
He looked up towards the caves. Those places of death and torture. He'd tried to stop them when they'd fired the Scatter, but sure enough, half the bombs had landed in the fire, immediately exploding. The table which Aliasha had been tied to was blown to pieces. He could only assume she had been too. He heard someone walk up behind him and put their hand on his shoulder. He looked into the eyes of Commander Leonhart.
"She was my daughter. I am also grieved by her death, but we must get back to Garden before these hills are swarming with back-up for those scum. Leyton, pull yourself together. You are a SeeD, when we get back to Garden I'll use the rest of the teams reports to give a clear picture of how she died," Squall said comfortingly. Leyton put his head in his hands. She was dead and that was that then. Squall didn't seem that grieved by her death. Maybe that was because he was hiding weakness, as they'd all been taught to do?
"It's just that- I can't believe she's gone!" Leyton choked. Squall rubbed the young man's back.
"Did you... Love her?" He asked. Leyton looked up into Squall's eyes.
"I don't know. She was one of my closest friends. When she wasn't mocking me..." Leyton wouldn't cry. He wouldn't cry. He was stronger than that. He would find the rest of the stinking lot and kill them. Then he'd kill himself, for hating so much.
He looked out to the caves again. Suddenly he saw someone walk out. He leapt to his feet, if it was a terrorist they'd wish they'd never been born! But it wasn't. The blonde hair and tall frame. The Garden uniform. It was Aliasha. Leyton didn't stop to see if Squall was following, he just ran. And when he got to her he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the van.
He saw the cuts on her face. She had been tortured more throughly than the rest. Sadness filled his heart, she was so beautiful. Even though she had bruises and dirt all over her face. He was almost at the van when her eyes fluttered open.
"Leyton? Am I glad to see you," She muttered, then fell asleep again. Leyton smiled and carried her into the van.
(Author's Note: I own everyone. My name is Hironobu Sakaguchi, I'm a famous game designer, you might have heard of me. Not. I don't own nothing, not that they'd get anything if they sued me that is. I own Aliasha, Leyton, Zack, Lisa, Debra and Phoenix. Okies? Right, so Leyton's gone rushing off into the caves to save his team mates. Aliasha and crew are unconscious in a strange place. *the twilight zone theme plays in the background*. What could possibly happen next? I know! For a change, I've planned the story! Mwahahahahahahahaha *cough cough hack hack* ... This chapter contains reference to rape. Not described, but evident from the way it's written.)
They share the experiences of their parents. Powerful and disturbing memories...
Aliasha knew she was inside someone's head. She tried to look around but the person wouldn't move. What was happening? Aliasha tried to move the woman, but the woman wouldn't. Aliasha grew angry, why was she in a person's mind? Why wouldn't that person move? Where was she? When? How? She rebelled inside the woman's head. She heard the woman's thoughts.
I have a headache coming on. Must be the exam. It really takes a lot out of you... Aliasha tried to communicate with the woman but she wouldn't listen. The woman was walking through the familiar corridors of Balamb Garden. She was looking around, perhaps for someone. It was then that Aliasha saw the woman's reflection in the water. It was Quistis Trepe, her mother.
Mom! Mom, it's me! It's your daughter Aliasha! She cried inside Quistis's head. Either Quistis didn't hear or she ignored the shout completely. Aliasha realised that she could hear and feel exactly what her mother did. The slight feeling of annoyance as a certain cadet passed, or the pride as a SeeD walked passed. Aliasha decided to keep a low profile.
At least Squall made it back safely, and Seifer for that matter. When will that idiot learn to follow orders? I've trained him to the best of my ability, but he's just too disruptive. He's so stuck up! Then again, until today I had doubts that Squall could be a SeeD. He was so anti-social I thought working in a team would have been beyond him. Aliasha listened in silence and realised that this was over seventeen years ago. She wasn't born yet. If she tampered with Quistis Trepe's mind, perhaps she wouldn't even be born.
Quistis continued, she seemed to have fazed out completely. She wasn't watching where she was going at all. Aliasha saw the blonde haired man before Quistis did, and was about to warn her but unfortunately Quistis didn't hear her and walked straight into him. The man grunted and caught Quistis before she hit the floor.
"Oh, it's you instructor," The man said, helping her up. Aliasha swallowed. This man was her father. He wasn't even a SeeD? But Leyton had said he was the best fighter in Garden! Aliasha forced herself to pay attention to what was happening.
"Seifer Almasy, you should be in isolation! Get back to the detention room this instant!" Quistis commanded. Aliasha felt her mother's annoyance. It wasn't supposed to be like this! Unless she was a mistake? The words hit her hard. What if her parents hadn't loved each other, it was just a one night stand that had gone horribly wrong? Then something sank in, Seifer Almasy. The sorceress knight? The one who destroyed half the world and attacked Garden? The same Seifer who she'd been taught to hate with all her guts. He was the loving man who had hugged her and promised to take her to HappyLand? He couldn't be? Could he?
"As you wish Instructor," Seifer smirked. Quistis waved her hand at him and started walking again. Aliasha felt something tugging at her mind. She heard the screeching again. She was forced from her mother's body, and floated across to Seifer's.
Dammit! Why why why can't you just tell her Seifer? You big coward! The worst she can do is laugh! You'll never know if you don't tell her. You could shout her back, she's not out of ear shot just yet. Come on Seifer! Aliasha heard her father telling himself. Seifer loved Quistis, well that was a start at least. Aliasha went with him into the Detention Room and soon got bored. Her father was just sitting there, doing nothing very much, not even thinking really.
Suddenly a black-haired woman poked her face in the door. Seifer groaned inwardly. Aliasha only stared. Rinoa? Could it possibly be her? What was she doing in Garden? Why was she talking to Seifer? What was going on? Aliasha was confused. Seifer had mixed emotions towards Rinoa as well. Rinoa however seemed oblivious and bounded into the room, hugging Seifer tightly. Then giving him an extremely passionate kiss. Aliasha cringed in embarrassment. She wasn't supposed to know about this, she was certain.
"I'm gonna ask Cid to send SeeD to help our resistance group. You'll volunteer, won't you sweetie?" Rinoa asked, while taking a breather. Aliasha felt Seifer begin to feel guilty. She thinks you passed the exam. Better not tell her you didn't. Just tell her to meet you later at the ball and you'll introduce her to Cid. Aliasha raised her eyebrows, well she would have, if they weren't Seifer's.
"I'll meet you later then!" She said, after he'd explained. She kissed him, even more passionately, then left. Seifer slumped down onto his chair. He was using Rinoa, but she didn't seem to mind.
The screeching returned and Aliasha was transported to Quistis's mind. It was night time and it seemed a lot of time had passed. Quistis was sitting on the balcony in the Training Center, her eyes to the skies. Aliasha listened as Quistis's thoughts roamed through all the events that had happened since she'd last been inside Quistis's head. Aliasha was amazed, the entire Sorceress War had happened in that short space of time. Quistis's thoughts then turned to someone completely different.
Squall... Why can't you love me? Did I try too hard to change you? Or didn't I try enough? What does Rinoa have that I don't? Sure, she's pretty, but so am I. I know that's not very modest. I have brains, I'm more business like. I've loved you forever. Why can't you love me? Aliasha couldn't believe she was hearing this. What a weird revelation. Quistis had loved Squall, Rinoa and Seifer were going out. Suddenly, Seifer goes to be a Sorceress Knight and Rinoa goes off with Squall. Leaving Quistis and Seifer single. Seifer loved Quistis but was too shy to tell her. Wow, she could matchmake her parents.
"Quistis?" Quistis jumped. Aliasha recognised the voice. It was Seifer. Quistis didn't even turn around to look at him. Seifer walked forwards and sat down beside her. How had he got back into Garden? What had happened between him and Squall that would make Squall allow his nemesis back into Garden?
"Seifer," She replied coldly. What do you want? Can't you see I'm thinking?
"You're gonna hate me forever for saying this, but I've wanted to for so long..." Seifer started. Quistis moved away from him slightly. Aliasha fought to paralyze her mother's muscles to keep her still. In the battle of the wills, Aliasha eventually won. She hoped that Quistis thought that it was the fact that she didn't want to move.
"I guess the simpliest way for me to tell you wouldn't be with words. I'm not all that good with them, as you know," Seifer carried on. Quistis sat there. Aliasha let Quistis Trepe back in control of her body, Quistis was too curious now to think about moving away. Aliasha noticed that Seifer was leaning nearer. He gently kissed Quistis, but Quistis didn't kiss back. She pushed him away and climbed over the balcony, she ran from the training center as quickly as she could. Confused feelings were flitting through her.
Of all the nerve! How could he? Aliasha heard one part of her say. Another part was contradicting her. You liked that. Admit it Quistis. You've loved him for a while, that's why you never let you and Seifer be alone together. You used Squall as an excuse so you could hide from you feelings. Aliasha encouraged this side into speaking more. The screeching happened again. This time she didn't go to another of her parents minds. She awoke, and smelled burning flesh...
"WHERE'S SeeD?" The head roared. Aliasha opened her eyes and saw Phoenix being held against the wall, a burning hot poker was being pushed against his cheek. She watched as the poker was brought away, a horrible burn was left. Still, Phoenix wouldn't talk. Aliasha looked around, every where she looked her team was being tortured. Lisa and Debra were being hit repeatedly. Zack looked as though he'd gone through one or two rounds of torture and was having a breather. Aliasha sat up. Her head cleared.
"Ah, another one's awake. This one's the leader, we'll get more information out of her!" Someone said, grabbing her arm. She was pulled roughly to her feet. She struggled but the man's hold on her was too strong. He slammed her against the wall and two other men grabbed her, holding her still. The first man walked to the large fire in the middle of the cave and picked up a pair of tongues. Aliasha gritted her teeth. She wouldn't tell, no matter what he asked.
"Now, since you're the leader, I suppose you know where SeeD is. Where are they? How long have we got until they arrive?" The man asked. Aliasha remained silent. Why were the men asking? Why not just all split up and flee. There must be hundreds of ways out of the caves. They could get out, onto the comm. tower and then escape into Dollet and be gone by morning. Why were they waiting around? Maybe they wanted to be caught? They wanted hostages? The two men pulled at her blouse. Buttons popped off. They revealed the soft skin of her shoulders. The pokers bit into the skin and she cried out in pain.
"Tell us now! Or we kill them all!" The terrorist threatened. No, he wouldn't kill them all. He'd be lucky to even land a blow. Aliasha looked into his eyes and spat on him. Anger flared and he repeatedly pushed the poker into her shoulder. Each time with more force. Eventually Aliasha was sure her entire shoulder was burnt.
"Put her on the table! See if she likes her face the way it is!" The man shouted. Aliasha was taken to the table and was tied to it. The ropes were tight and bit into her skin. The man brought a knife close to her face and then slowly dragged the blade across her cheek. Blood welled up. She felt the warm blood begin to drip down her face. The table was near the fire and she began to sweat. The pain of her shoulder, her cheek and the uncomfortable heat of the fire. She only hoped that Garden found her soon. Then she remembered. Her little present for her team.
Tracking devices. She needed to get a terrorist to activate it by accident. It only took five seconds to trace a signal. They'd be there in minutes. She thought then decided to go for the trickery option. She wasn't very good with words, but she'd try anyhow.
"In my breast pocket is a device that will tell you where SeeD is. You just have to push the red button," Aliasha lied. She felt the man put his hand in her pocket. He groped a little, even though it was obvious where it was. Aliasha surpressed a shiver, and closed her eyes tightly. She felt him withdraw his hand, taking the tracking device with him. She heard the beep as it turned on and counted the seconds. 1...2...3...4...5... They'd definitely got the signal.
"This is a tracking device," the terrorist said blankly. Then his disbelief turned to rage. He leapt onto her and started to pull at her clothes. Aliasha prayed that they get there soon.
Aliasha awoke to find herself on the floor. She was covered in dust and dirt. Everything was aching. What had happened? Then it came flooding back to her. SeeD had stormed in, they'd grabbed Zack's Scatter and killed all the terroriests with one huge explosion. She must have been released from the table when it broke. She looked down at herself. She buttoned up her blouse and pulled her skirt down. She had to find the others, then she could wallow in self pity. The way the SeeDs had come in was blocked though.
Aliasha looked around, there was no one there. She'd have to find her own way out. She started to walk around the room. If she always took the left path then if she came to a dead end, she could navigate around. So she followed the left path, she followed it for what seemed like hours. She became tired, everything hurt. She finally found the main tunnel and light. Aliasha pledged never to leave it again. She fell in love with the light. She staggered out of the caves and collapsed in the wonderful glorious light.
Leyton had been sitting on a rock. Each of the candidates had been horrendously tortured. Aliasha, she hadn't made it. Leyton had never been hit so hard by the loss of a student. Aliasha should have become a SeeD. Instead he'd blown it. She wouldn't even have the fact that she was a SeeD on her obituary. Leyton put his head in his hands. He hadn't meant for it to turn out like this! If he could exchange places he would have. She was his best friend, although she had always mocked him. He wanted her back!
He looked up towards the caves. Those places of death and torture. He'd tried to stop them when they'd fired the Scatter, but sure enough, half the bombs had landed in the fire, immediately exploding. The table which Aliasha had been tied to was blown to pieces. He could only assume she had been too. He heard someone walk up behind him and put their hand on his shoulder. He looked into the eyes of Commander Leonhart.
"She was my daughter. I am also grieved by her death, but we must get back to Garden before these hills are swarming with back-up for those scum. Leyton, pull yourself together. You are a SeeD, when we get back to Garden I'll use the rest of the teams reports to give a clear picture of how she died," Squall said comfortingly. Leyton put his head in his hands. She was dead and that was that then. Squall didn't seem that grieved by her death. Maybe that was because he was hiding weakness, as they'd all been taught to do?
"It's just that- I can't believe she's gone!" Leyton choked. Squall rubbed the young man's back.
"Did you... Love her?" He asked. Leyton looked up into Squall's eyes.
"I don't know. She was one of my closest friends. When she wasn't mocking me..." Leyton wouldn't cry. He wouldn't cry. He was stronger than that. He would find the rest of the stinking lot and kill them. Then he'd kill himself, for hating so much.
He looked out to the caves again. Suddenly he saw someone walk out. He leapt to his feet, if it was a terrorist they'd wish they'd never been born! But it wasn't. The blonde hair and tall frame. The Garden uniform. It was Aliasha. Leyton didn't stop to see if Squall was following, he just ran. And when he got to her he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the van.
He saw the cuts on her face. She had been tortured more throughly than the rest. Sadness filled his heart, she was so beautiful. Even though she had bruises and dirt all over her face. He was almost at the van when her eyes fluttered open.
"Leyton? Am I glad to see you," She muttered, then fell asleep again. Leyton smiled and carried her into the van.