Chapter 10 First Encounter with the Past
Seifer sat on one of the many benches at the quad, enjoying the afternoon. Garden had a thermal shield to protect the outdoor parts of it, and the Quad was nice and warm - not sweltering hot by the looks of the sun.
"Sunbathing?"
He didn't need to turn to know who was speaking. "Instructor."
Quistis came and sat next to him. "Didn't think you'd enjoy the sun much."
"You kidding?" Seifer grimaced. "Look at me. I'm as pale as Shiva. If I stay out of the sun any longer I'm gonna look like Puberty Boy."
"Don't dare to call him that in his face, huh?" She cocked an eyebrow in challenge. Seifer scowled, the only expression remaining from his old days. Even his trademark trench coat was gone - only Hyperion remained faithful by his side. "We're on speaking terms now."
"Bad speaking terms," Quistis erupted into laughter. For some reason it was funny. She relaxed and gazed out over the railing into the calm ocean race beneath Garden. Cid had given orders that they were heading to Winhill - because Selphie had taken the Ragnarok and also because he decided that they needed a break. Selphie and Irvine hadn't returned, but they had told Squall that they haven't finished scouting Trabia yet - meaning that Squall will have to wait longer. Not that he was happy.
Seifer bit his lip. The meeting with Fujin and Raijin went well - considering that he couldn't tell them much. He was pleased to know that the two of them had landed respectable jobs - but it did hurt to think that he was still in a slump. Why did things have to turn out bad for him?
"Penny for your thoughts, Almasy?" Quistis's voice broke through his wistful thinking. Seifer blinked, and then smiled. Quistis was peering at him through her wire-rimmed glasses - reflecting the calm of her cerulean eyes. She was the most breathtaking creature on Earth - he wondered how could he have hurt her.
Quistis turned away, noticing the pained look in his eyes. Seifer was sensitive; she had learnt that long ago. But now his maturity was comforting. He had grown up. All of them had. Well, she couldn't be sure for Selphie, but.
"I miss all that snow.' Selphie said longingly as she piloted the Ragnarok over the mountains. They had searched the whole place, but there was no sign of any ship whatsoever. It would be a hell of a job to hide a ship that big, she frowned. "Irvy, what do you think?"
Irvine was thinking of something. He tapped his transmitter. "Squall?"
"Here."
"Did Seifer say something about a laboratory?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I have a hunch. it would be a hell of a job to hide an ship as big as the one they said they've seen. Can you think of any place that has sophisticated equipment in a nice secluded place?"
Silence. Squall could see where Irvine was headed. "The Deep Sea Research Centre."
"Right." Irvine smiled. "Think we can check it out?"
"If you're right, it's too dangerous to attempt anything with only the two of you."
"That's why we're coming back." Selphie made a sharp turn and Irvine was thrown off-balance. "Chill, Seffie!"
Squall tapped his transmitter shut and got up. He made his way to the bridge and picked up the mike. "Calling the Six. Be at the hangar a.s.a.p. I repeat, be at the hangar a.s.a.p."
"Pretty sharp," Nida grinned as he put his weight against the controls. Squall turned to Nida. "How much longer till Winhill?"
"Huh? I'd say. in an hour or so."
"Send a few SeeDs to fetch Ellone, and then make sure she's protected until I get back."
"Aye-aye, Commander."
"Bingo." Irvine whistled as they came in sight of the Deep Sea Research Centre. A huge ship was parked on its launch pad, and Selphie was sure this was the same ship. "How are we going to land? There's no room." Zell peered through the glass. Selphie grinned. "Not a problem. The Ragnarok has been modified, you know. Now - watch!" She pulled the controls sharply and the Ragnarok plunged into the sea. The plunge was so sharp it threw everybody off balance. Quistis, who was standing, found herself thrown against the wall, and she braced herself for impact, only to find herself barreling against something soft. Someone, correction. The someone automatically reached his arms around her to stop her from banging against something else. "Oof!"
Quistis whirled around and found herself looking straight into the face of Squall Leonhart. "Oops." She grinned sheepishly at the pained look on his face. "Your whip." he managed to wheeze. Quistis looked down and saw her Save the Queen poking against his abdomen, causing the pain, she guessed. She hastily backed out of his support, but Selphie's next move threw everyone off their feet.
She braked. Hard. Even in the water, the motion was violent. Quistis, who was in the process of moving was thrown forwards, and downwards, onto the floor. Again, Squall broke her fall, at his expense. She could tell he was going to be bruised with all the knocking about going on.
"We're here!" Selphie chimed happily and got up. She immediately frowned at the lot sprawled on the floor. "Why are you guys still sleeping? Come on, get up!"
"I'm suspending her license after this." Squall said through clenched teeth as he helped Quistis up. The latter was slightly embarrassed, but she pushed it away as they made their way to the back room, where Selphie took out several wetsuits. "There's only three, so someone's gotta stay here with me," She announced gaily. She looked at Irvine hopefully. But Squall noticed. He handed a wet suit to Irvine and looked pointedly at Zell. The latter pulled a long face, but complied.
They donned the wet suit and proceeded to exit the ship through the airlock.
"How are we going to get in?" Squall asked critically. His voice was muffled in the small hood space, but they all had their transmitters on.
"I think this is an airlock," Quistis motioned to a door looming ahead. "If we break the door, somebody's gonna find out we're here." Irvine pointed out.
"Good point. But not taken," Squall drew out his Lion Heart and proceeded to swing it, but Quistis stopped him. "Watch out!" She pulled at his arm and the three flattened themselves against the wall as the door rumbled open and a small sub-like craft shot out of the hole. Wasting no time, the three of them entered the door just as it was beginning to close. Squall signaled for the rest to quiet down. The water was dark, but above the surface, they could make out shapes that were moving. They were safe, however, because of the darkness surrounding them. "We have to wait," Quistis breathed heavily as she leaned against the wall. Was it her, or the air was getting thick? Something was pressing in her mind, making her sights blur slightly. But Squall was already heading upwards.
He silently, slowly broke the surface of the water, the clear liquid sliding off his glass hood. "Clear," He intoned curtly and hauled himself out of the water. Quistis and Irvine followed suit, the latter grumbling about water in his gun. It was apparent that his gun was useless. Or so he thought. Quistis pushed back her hood and grasped Irvine's gun. "Fira."
'Ow!" Irvine yelped as the heat burned through his gloves. "Warn me next time, will ya?!"
"Keep the noise down," Squall hissed.
They were in a kind of docking area, with platforms that stretched over large tanks. I some of them they could see submarines and other marine transportation. "Take a floor, any floor." Irvine grinned. The Deep Sea Research Center consisted of six floors all undersea, and right now they were on the second. Rinoa could be anywhere. "What about we split?" Quistis closed her eyes against the sudden wave of dizziness. It wasn't until she suddenly felt Squall's arm support her did she realize that she had momentarily lost her balance. "The floor under us." She said suddenly. "They're there."
Irvine gave her an extremely odd look, but Squall was already heading towards the door. "Hey, don't you think - " Irvine started to say something when Squall simply burst through the door and they could hear a yell. "We should have a plan.?" Irvine finished with a groan. Quistis gave him a weak smile. "Honestly Irvine, when it come to ambush, Squall has no idea whatsoever."
"Well, we can't have a dead Commander," Irvine said matter-of-factly, adjusting his Execter. He rushed onwards, following the muted yells. Quistis muttered something indistinct under her breath as she too, followed her companion.
"Sound the ala - " No time to finish his sentence or ring the alarm, his head had been cleanly cut off.
Other guards ran helter-skelter, but they were no match for the three SeeDs. Irvine delivered bullet after bullet without even pausing to tip his hat - Quistis scarcely moved as her whip darted around the corridor, killing everything in its path.
"That room!" Quistis pointed to a sealed door. Without hesitation, Irvine blasted the lock and instantly the alarm sounded. "Great." Quistis grit her teeth as the door opened. It was a large room, but their focus was only on Rinoa -
Rinoa?
The sorceress was standing beside a young blonde man, and her face was fearful. "Don't come!"
"Rinoa!" Squall rushed inside, but Rinoa suddenly blasted him with a Blizzaga spell. "Don't come, Squall!"
"What the - " Squall knelt on the floor. Quistis threw Squall a Curaga and faced the girl. "What's going on, Rinoa?"
"Please, don't come. Cody - " She glanced at the young man beside her. For the first time she noticed that the man had a strange look in his eyes, and he was focused on Squall.
"Cody's been drugged.he took it so I won't be hurt! Please, let me leave in peace!" Rinoa begged to Quistis.
"A load of bull - " Irvine snarled and fired at Cody, but to his astonishment the bullet simply bounced back. "What in Hyne?!"
"He has Tiamat," Rinoa explained helplessly. "You know it Squall. Tiamat has pledged to be a GF again, and he's chosen Cody to be his bearer. A GF who chooses a master literally bonds with his soul; I can't let him die!"
"We're not leaving without you!" Squall said furiously and launched himself at Cody. Eden! Aid me!
"Nobody will hurt Rinoa." Cody said softly, and with a blast, Tiamat roared and the two GFs collided in a huge burst of energy.
For a moment it seemed as if the match had been decided, but suddenly Tiamat gave a loud roar and Eden was pushed over. Squall staggered as the GF retreated back into the recesses of his mind and nearly screamed out loud as pain ripped through his mind. Eden was injured!
'Squall!" Quistis hastily used Recover and turned back to Rinoa, quiet resignation in her eyes. "Go."
Rinoa looked as if she wanted to cry. "Quisty."
"Go, now. We'll get you back. Trust us."
Rinoa nodded numbly and turned to Cody. The latter gently steered Rinoa out of the room, past the flabbergasted Irvine. He furiously turned to Squall, who was crouched on the floor and Quistis, who was busily relieving the pain. "What in Hyne were you thinking, Quisty?!"
"Keeping her alive." Quistis said calmly as she helped Squall up. GFs could cause pain when they retreat in defeat; obviously, as the most powerful GF, Eden was pretty nasty. "Irvine, right now the boy is under somebody's control. We don't know what he wants with Rinoa, but what we do know is, Cody will keep her alive. She's safe as long as the order remains that way." She closed her eyes against the sudden waves of pain that had threatened her since they began. What is this? Why do I feel like I'm being pushed underwater? This place has something.
Laughter - sinister laughter. "So you've fallen into my trap - how charming."
Irvine whirled around, Execter ready, but there was no one in sight. "Who's there?"
"You mean who's not there." The voice corrected. "Or rather, someone you can feel but cannot see. A refreshing change from your usual enemies, is it not?"
"What are you going to do with Rinoa?" Squall demanded, still pale from the effort of keeping the pain at bay.
"Rinoa will be fine, as long as you do not go after her. Cody Rye is her knight, and a fine one too, I dare say. No. Rinoa is a powerful sorceress, but she's not who I'm after.
"I'll allow you to leave the Facility. but we'll meet again." The voice faded and the three friends fell silent. He's letting them go free? What's going on?
"Let's get out of here," Irvine muttered and tapped his transmitter. "Seffie. Seffie?"
No answer. His heart began to pound. "Seffie! Zell?!"
Silence. The three exchanged looks and Irvine dashed out of the door, up the stairs and they reached the docking area. He hurriedly pushed on his hood and was about to jump into the water when Squall firmly took a hold of his arm. "You won't do any good with the docking bay closed," he said hoarsely. He was still leaning on to Quistis for support, and the blonde was looking around. "Squall, you go with Irvine. I think I can operate the controls from here. Go," She gently eased him off her shoulders and pulled down his hood. He shot her a pained expression. "Quis - "
"Do I have to do everything?!" Quistis rolled her eyes and suddenly gave both men a shove, sending them crashing into the water. She hurriedly approached the controls and nervously studied the panel. "This would be it." She muttered and pressed a button.
"Well done." The sinister voice chuckled from behind her. She whirled around and came face to face with an elderly man, chuckling uncontrollably. "Who are you?" Quistis narrowed her eyes. There was something about him that made her skin prickle and her head pound - it was loathing at its utmost.
"I'm surprised you've forgotten me." His eyes studied her almost thoughtfully. "You've become quite a woman."
"I don't socialize with the enemy." She replied coolly. The man laughed. 'What makes you think I am?"
"Don't think you're friendly either." Quistis lunged at him with her whip, but suddenly the same painful wave washed over her and she fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"I can make or break you, little girl." The man said quietly, watching her grovel. "Don't ever forget it."
Quistis stared at him with hatred burning in her eyes - she hated the man! A flitter of a memory crossed her mind, but before she could make it out, another wave passed her and she blacked out.
Read and Review please!!! I love you all! Next chapter: Garden under siege: again!!
Seifer sat on one of the many benches at the quad, enjoying the afternoon. Garden had a thermal shield to protect the outdoor parts of it, and the Quad was nice and warm - not sweltering hot by the looks of the sun.
"Sunbathing?"
He didn't need to turn to know who was speaking. "Instructor."
Quistis came and sat next to him. "Didn't think you'd enjoy the sun much."
"You kidding?" Seifer grimaced. "Look at me. I'm as pale as Shiva. If I stay out of the sun any longer I'm gonna look like Puberty Boy."
"Don't dare to call him that in his face, huh?" She cocked an eyebrow in challenge. Seifer scowled, the only expression remaining from his old days. Even his trademark trench coat was gone - only Hyperion remained faithful by his side. "We're on speaking terms now."
"Bad speaking terms," Quistis erupted into laughter. For some reason it was funny. She relaxed and gazed out over the railing into the calm ocean race beneath Garden. Cid had given orders that they were heading to Winhill - because Selphie had taken the Ragnarok and also because he decided that they needed a break. Selphie and Irvine hadn't returned, but they had told Squall that they haven't finished scouting Trabia yet - meaning that Squall will have to wait longer. Not that he was happy.
Seifer bit his lip. The meeting with Fujin and Raijin went well - considering that he couldn't tell them much. He was pleased to know that the two of them had landed respectable jobs - but it did hurt to think that he was still in a slump. Why did things have to turn out bad for him?
"Penny for your thoughts, Almasy?" Quistis's voice broke through his wistful thinking. Seifer blinked, and then smiled. Quistis was peering at him through her wire-rimmed glasses - reflecting the calm of her cerulean eyes. She was the most breathtaking creature on Earth - he wondered how could he have hurt her.
Quistis turned away, noticing the pained look in his eyes. Seifer was sensitive; she had learnt that long ago. But now his maturity was comforting. He had grown up. All of them had. Well, she couldn't be sure for Selphie, but.
"I miss all that snow.' Selphie said longingly as she piloted the Ragnarok over the mountains. They had searched the whole place, but there was no sign of any ship whatsoever. It would be a hell of a job to hide a ship that big, she frowned. "Irvy, what do you think?"
Irvine was thinking of something. He tapped his transmitter. "Squall?"
"Here."
"Did Seifer say something about a laboratory?"
"Yes. Why?"
"I have a hunch. it would be a hell of a job to hide an ship as big as the one they said they've seen. Can you think of any place that has sophisticated equipment in a nice secluded place?"
Silence. Squall could see where Irvine was headed. "The Deep Sea Research Centre."
"Right." Irvine smiled. "Think we can check it out?"
"If you're right, it's too dangerous to attempt anything with only the two of you."
"That's why we're coming back." Selphie made a sharp turn and Irvine was thrown off-balance. "Chill, Seffie!"
Squall tapped his transmitter shut and got up. He made his way to the bridge and picked up the mike. "Calling the Six. Be at the hangar a.s.a.p. I repeat, be at the hangar a.s.a.p."
"Pretty sharp," Nida grinned as he put his weight against the controls. Squall turned to Nida. "How much longer till Winhill?"
"Huh? I'd say. in an hour or so."
"Send a few SeeDs to fetch Ellone, and then make sure she's protected until I get back."
"Aye-aye, Commander."
"Bingo." Irvine whistled as they came in sight of the Deep Sea Research Centre. A huge ship was parked on its launch pad, and Selphie was sure this was the same ship. "How are we going to land? There's no room." Zell peered through the glass. Selphie grinned. "Not a problem. The Ragnarok has been modified, you know. Now - watch!" She pulled the controls sharply and the Ragnarok plunged into the sea. The plunge was so sharp it threw everybody off balance. Quistis, who was standing, found herself thrown against the wall, and she braced herself for impact, only to find herself barreling against something soft. Someone, correction. The someone automatically reached his arms around her to stop her from banging against something else. "Oof!"
Quistis whirled around and found herself looking straight into the face of Squall Leonhart. "Oops." She grinned sheepishly at the pained look on his face. "Your whip." he managed to wheeze. Quistis looked down and saw her Save the Queen poking against his abdomen, causing the pain, she guessed. She hastily backed out of his support, but Selphie's next move threw everyone off their feet.
She braked. Hard. Even in the water, the motion was violent. Quistis, who was in the process of moving was thrown forwards, and downwards, onto the floor. Again, Squall broke her fall, at his expense. She could tell he was going to be bruised with all the knocking about going on.
"We're here!" Selphie chimed happily and got up. She immediately frowned at the lot sprawled on the floor. "Why are you guys still sleeping? Come on, get up!"
"I'm suspending her license after this." Squall said through clenched teeth as he helped Quistis up. The latter was slightly embarrassed, but she pushed it away as they made their way to the back room, where Selphie took out several wetsuits. "There's only three, so someone's gotta stay here with me," She announced gaily. She looked at Irvine hopefully. But Squall noticed. He handed a wet suit to Irvine and looked pointedly at Zell. The latter pulled a long face, but complied.
They donned the wet suit and proceeded to exit the ship through the airlock.
"How are we going to get in?" Squall asked critically. His voice was muffled in the small hood space, but they all had their transmitters on.
"I think this is an airlock," Quistis motioned to a door looming ahead. "If we break the door, somebody's gonna find out we're here." Irvine pointed out.
"Good point. But not taken," Squall drew out his Lion Heart and proceeded to swing it, but Quistis stopped him. "Watch out!" She pulled at his arm and the three flattened themselves against the wall as the door rumbled open and a small sub-like craft shot out of the hole. Wasting no time, the three of them entered the door just as it was beginning to close. Squall signaled for the rest to quiet down. The water was dark, but above the surface, they could make out shapes that were moving. They were safe, however, because of the darkness surrounding them. "We have to wait," Quistis breathed heavily as she leaned against the wall. Was it her, or the air was getting thick? Something was pressing in her mind, making her sights blur slightly. But Squall was already heading upwards.
He silently, slowly broke the surface of the water, the clear liquid sliding off his glass hood. "Clear," He intoned curtly and hauled himself out of the water. Quistis and Irvine followed suit, the latter grumbling about water in his gun. It was apparent that his gun was useless. Or so he thought. Quistis pushed back her hood and grasped Irvine's gun. "Fira."
'Ow!" Irvine yelped as the heat burned through his gloves. "Warn me next time, will ya?!"
"Keep the noise down," Squall hissed.
They were in a kind of docking area, with platforms that stretched over large tanks. I some of them they could see submarines and other marine transportation. "Take a floor, any floor." Irvine grinned. The Deep Sea Research Center consisted of six floors all undersea, and right now they were on the second. Rinoa could be anywhere. "What about we split?" Quistis closed her eyes against the sudden wave of dizziness. It wasn't until she suddenly felt Squall's arm support her did she realize that she had momentarily lost her balance. "The floor under us." She said suddenly. "They're there."
Irvine gave her an extremely odd look, but Squall was already heading towards the door. "Hey, don't you think - " Irvine started to say something when Squall simply burst through the door and they could hear a yell. "We should have a plan.?" Irvine finished with a groan. Quistis gave him a weak smile. "Honestly Irvine, when it come to ambush, Squall has no idea whatsoever."
"Well, we can't have a dead Commander," Irvine said matter-of-factly, adjusting his Execter. He rushed onwards, following the muted yells. Quistis muttered something indistinct under her breath as she too, followed her companion.
"Sound the ala - " No time to finish his sentence or ring the alarm, his head had been cleanly cut off.
Other guards ran helter-skelter, but they were no match for the three SeeDs. Irvine delivered bullet after bullet without even pausing to tip his hat - Quistis scarcely moved as her whip darted around the corridor, killing everything in its path.
"That room!" Quistis pointed to a sealed door. Without hesitation, Irvine blasted the lock and instantly the alarm sounded. "Great." Quistis grit her teeth as the door opened. It was a large room, but their focus was only on Rinoa -
Rinoa?
The sorceress was standing beside a young blonde man, and her face was fearful. "Don't come!"
"Rinoa!" Squall rushed inside, but Rinoa suddenly blasted him with a Blizzaga spell. "Don't come, Squall!"
"What the - " Squall knelt on the floor. Quistis threw Squall a Curaga and faced the girl. "What's going on, Rinoa?"
"Please, don't come. Cody - " She glanced at the young man beside her. For the first time she noticed that the man had a strange look in his eyes, and he was focused on Squall.
"Cody's been drugged.he took it so I won't be hurt! Please, let me leave in peace!" Rinoa begged to Quistis.
"A load of bull - " Irvine snarled and fired at Cody, but to his astonishment the bullet simply bounced back. "What in Hyne?!"
"He has Tiamat," Rinoa explained helplessly. "You know it Squall. Tiamat has pledged to be a GF again, and he's chosen Cody to be his bearer. A GF who chooses a master literally bonds with his soul; I can't let him die!"
"We're not leaving without you!" Squall said furiously and launched himself at Cody. Eden! Aid me!
"Nobody will hurt Rinoa." Cody said softly, and with a blast, Tiamat roared and the two GFs collided in a huge burst of energy.
For a moment it seemed as if the match had been decided, but suddenly Tiamat gave a loud roar and Eden was pushed over. Squall staggered as the GF retreated back into the recesses of his mind and nearly screamed out loud as pain ripped through his mind. Eden was injured!
'Squall!" Quistis hastily used Recover and turned back to Rinoa, quiet resignation in her eyes. "Go."
Rinoa looked as if she wanted to cry. "Quisty."
"Go, now. We'll get you back. Trust us."
Rinoa nodded numbly and turned to Cody. The latter gently steered Rinoa out of the room, past the flabbergasted Irvine. He furiously turned to Squall, who was crouched on the floor and Quistis, who was busily relieving the pain. "What in Hyne were you thinking, Quisty?!"
"Keeping her alive." Quistis said calmly as she helped Squall up. GFs could cause pain when they retreat in defeat; obviously, as the most powerful GF, Eden was pretty nasty. "Irvine, right now the boy is under somebody's control. We don't know what he wants with Rinoa, but what we do know is, Cody will keep her alive. She's safe as long as the order remains that way." She closed her eyes against the sudden waves of pain that had threatened her since they began. What is this? Why do I feel like I'm being pushed underwater? This place has something.
Laughter - sinister laughter. "So you've fallen into my trap - how charming."
Irvine whirled around, Execter ready, but there was no one in sight. "Who's there?"
"You mean who's not there." The voice corrected. "Or rather, someone you can feel but cannot see. A refreshing change from your usual enemies, is it not?"
"What are you going to do with Rinoa?" Squall demanded, still pale from the effort of keeping the pain at bay.
"Rinoa will be fine, as long as you do not go after her. Cody Rye is her knight, and a fine one too, I dare say. No. Rinoa is a powerful sorceress, but she's not who I'm after.
"I'll allow you to leave the Facility. but we'll meet again." The voice faded and the three friends fell silent. He's letting them go free? What's going on?
"Let's get out of here," Irvine muttered and tapped his transmitter. "Seffie. Seffie?"
No answer. His heart began to pound. "Seffie! Zell?!"
Silence. The three exchanged looks and Irvine dashed out of the door, up the stairs and they reached the docking area. He hurriedly pushed on his hood and was about to jump into the water when Squall firmly took a hold of his arm. "You won't do any good with the docking bay closed," he said hoarsely. He was still leaning on to Quistis for support, and the blonde was looking around. "Squall, you go with Irvine. I think I can operate the controls from here. Go," She gently eased him off her shoulders and pulled down his hood. He shot her a pained expression. "Quis - "
"Do I have to do everything?!" Quistis rolled her eyes and suddenly gave both men a shove, sending them crashing into the water. She hurriedly approached the controls and nervously studied the panel. "This would be it." She muttered and pressed a button.
"Well done." The sinister voice chuckled from behind her. She whirled around and came face to face with an elderly man, chuckling uncontrollably. "Who are you?" Quistis narrowed her eyes. There was something about him that made her skin prickle and her head pound - it was loathing at its utmost.
"I'm surprised you've forgotten me." His eyes studied her almost thoughtfully. "You've become quite a woman."
"I don't socialize with the enemy." She replied coolly. The man laughed. 'What makes you think I am?"
"Don't think you're friendly either." Quistis lunged at him with her whip, but suddenly the same painful wave washed over her and she fell to her knees, gasping for air.
"I can make or break you, little girl." The man said quietly, watching her grovel. "Don't ever forget it."
Quistis stared at him with hatred burning in her eyes - she hated the man! A flitter of a memory crossed her mind, but before she could make it out, another wave passed her and she blacked out.
Read and Review please!!! I love you all! Next chapter: Garden under siege: again!!