I'm Coming Back to You
Chapter 9- Escape
Disclaimer: Wow. Square is now Square Enix. So…since Square created Final Fantasy IX while it was still Square, is Final Fantasy IX owned by Square or Square Enix? *scratches head* I'm confused…
AN: Wasn't the last chapter interesting? O_o. Back to the second half of my story. Garnet is going through things that are compromising her relationship with Zidane. Excepting the fact that that relationship is practically non-existent at the moment, considering each person isn't too sure of the whereabouts of the other. Ehehe.
Key: _…_ emphasize (italicize)
/…/ thoughts
"…" words
*…* action
The meeting with Lord Davilenon had left me deeply disturbed, but thoughtful as well. Steiner seemed to want me to open up, so to speak, and Beatrix seemed to lean in his direction. I trusted them both with my life…but was my love life the same thing? And what of Zidane? He hadn't shown up since he left for his brother nearly a month ago.
Should I really forget about Zidane? I don't think so. I mean, it hasn't been too long? He could be on his way now. What could be delaying him?
I had made up my mind. I couldn't handle the pressure in the castle anymore. I was going to get out into the open air and find my lover, if it was the last thing that I did.
It was so much like what I had done several months ago, without the careful planning. Spontaneous wasn't my thing, but if I didn't leave now, the responsibilities of Queen would weigh me down too much. It was nearly the middle of the night. I rummaged through my things until I found it—my White Mage Robe. It had miraculously survived Vivi's Fire incident, and with a few patches and stitches here and there, it looked as good as new. I slipped it on over a set of warm clothing and stuffed a few other plain robes into a sack. I also packed a stash of food I had snuck from the kitchen earlier.
Adding a cloak and a small purse to my gear, I grabbed my Tiger Racket and headed for the door of my bedroom. The trip with Zidane hadn't been in vain—I had learned a thing or two about stealth, and easily got by the guards of the hall. However, I hadn't counted on more guards patrolling the next hallway, and nearly tripped into their path.
Those guards stood between me and my freedom. I hesitated, back pressed against the wall, wondering what to do, when I saw a statue on the other side of the room that gave me an idea. I carefully cast Float, and then, a few seconds later, Dispel. The statue landed with a thud on the ground, catching the attention of the guards. It was my chance!
I fled silently past them and towards the door on the opposite side of the room. The guards had moved from their spot towards the statue, and didn't notice as I undid the lock. Finally, I yanked open the door and stumbled through, shutting it securely behind me. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I leaned against the wall, my open mouth gasping for breaths. It wasn't so much the run as the excitement and close escape.
Soon my breathing became normal. I shouldered the sack once again and walked along the wall towards the city of Alexandria. /I'm coming, Zidane. I promise. Will you wait for me?/
-0-0-0-0-0-
_Knock Knock._
Beatrix groaned and sat up in bed. She glanced sleepily out the window. "Who would be knocking at this hour?" she grumbled, pulling some decent clothes on and stumbling to the door. She opened it to find one of her commanders. "What?" she demanded.
"A thousand apologies, General Beatrix, but there seems to be a situation."
"A situation? Are we under attack?"
"Er, no. Her Majesty—Queen Garnet—" Beatrix held her breath. The woman hesitated, then finished: "The Queen is missing, General. We have searched her room, and the grounds, and have found no trace of her. She is gone."
"What?!" Beatrix didn't even stop to pull on a coat. She stormed past the soldier and to Garnet's empty room. "No…" She wanted to scream. "I should've known! What am I, stupid? Of course she would have left!!!"
"General Beatrix!"
She turned to find Steiner, running toward her. He was in near panic. "Her Royal Highness!"
Beatrix took a deep breath. "Garnet's gone." She didn't bother with correct protocol. /I can't believe I didn't anticipate this! I should've put up more security or something. I should have—/
Steiner was sobbing into his gloves. Beatrix watched as he stumbled into the room, on his knees, and pulled a sword from his back. Her eyes widened. /He's not wearing any armor!/ "No! Adelbeirt! Don't—"
She lunged at him and managed to knock the weapon away before he could plunge it into his chest. Beatrix cursed at him. "Captain Steiner! What do you think you're doing?!"
"I cannot live knowing that I failed in my duty to protect the Queen!"
"You did not fail in anything!" Beatrix tossed the sword aside. "Garnet ran away of her own free will. You and I both know it. She's out to look for Zidane. We have to find her, before she hurts herself. She may be a white mage, and a summoner, but she won't be able to survive with what Zidane taught her in a few months. Plus, she's alone. We need everyone we can get, and that includes you, Steiner." Steiner just stared at the floor. Beatrix sighed. "I can't go out and look for her. I'm pregnant. I need you to do it."
He gasped and looked up. "But…I am a mere captain. I cannot do such a thing!"
"I'm appointing you, Steiner. Please. Go, gather your Knights of Pluto. We'll need them. I…need to collect my thoughts." She picked up his sword and handed it back to him. "No more of this nonsense, OK?"
Steiner took the sword and replaced it reluctantly. "Surely." He watched as Beatrix returned to her room. "Beatrix…" She turned around and looked at him expectantly. He nodded at her. "Thank you, for saving my life. And, this is not your fault either. It is neither of ours."
Beatrix stared at him for a while, then managed a smile. "Your welcome. And, I know. But… thanks for reminding me." She closed the door behind her quietly.
-0-0-0-0-0-
The sun had risen. I took a deep breath. Beatrix had probably already found out that I was gone. But I was pretty far already. I had managed to hitch a ride into Lindblum, where I hoped to contact Tantalus. Maybe they knew something about Zidane.
Lindblum looked busy as usual. I stepped into the cab and waited until we stopped at the Theatre District. There were a lot of people bustling in and out of the cab, but I noticed that two men hadn't gotten off since I had boarded. What was worse, they had their eyes on me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and glanced out the window. The cab pulled to a stop, much to my relief. The doors slid open and I hurried out, anxious to escape. It hadn't occurred to me that a young, pretty, and very much alone girl would be an easy target for people who did not have pure intentions.
I noticed that the men had begun to follow me, so I ducked behind a shop and into an alleyway. There were footsteps behind me. I hurried through the darkness, praying that they would give up and leave me alone. The footsteps grew nearer. I gasped and hugged my bag tight. Suddenly, a voice said, "Going somewhere?"
They were upon me, grinning madly. I backed into the wall, terrified. One of the men smirked. "What's a pretty little lady like you doing all by yourself in this big city? You could get lost…or worse…you could fall into the wrong hands."
I simply glared at them, and out of the corner of my eye, I looked for a way to escape. They had surrounded me, but there was an open window not too high up, and if I managed to slither away from them and leap on top of that large crate standing a few feet away, I might be able to make it.
The first guy advanced on me, pinning me to the wall. I grimaced at his bad breath. The man chuckled, showing his crooked and blackened teeth. I cringed and flattened myself as much as possible. The other man snatched my sack away and looked through it. "Looks like you've been ready for a long trip, eh, girlie? What's this? A stick?" He pulled my Tiger Racket out and waved it. "Whatcha gonna do? Beat away a couple of dogs with it?" He tossed my weapon aside and pulled out my food.
/There goes my three-days' worth of supplies,/ I groaned inwardly. But my attention refocused on the first man, who started to stroke my cheek. "You're a pretty one, aren't you?"
"Leave me alone," I growled through gritted teeth.
"Hmm, maybe I will." He pretended to ponder the idea. "That is, if you give me a kiss." I sucked in a breath. He puckered his lips. "Come on, sweetie, just one kiss. Then we'll let you go. I'll even tell my partner here to give back your fancy stick."
I had a feeling that even if I did kiss him, he still wouldn't let me go. I also had a feeling that even if I didn't kiss him, he'd kiss me anyway. I was stuck. There was no way out…
_WHAM!_ The man was knocked backwards by a pair of feet. My savior turned to me and grinned. "Out to get some fresh air, huh, Dagger?"
"Blank!" I cried out in relief.
Instead of replying, he grabbed my hand and my racket, then jumped onto the crate and into the window. We ran through a corridor and into the sunshine, where I began to sob in relief. "It's not over yet," he warned. "Come on…we better get to the hideout, and fast." Tugging on my arm, we hurried through the busy street, then into another alleyway. "Hey…I think we're safe…"
"Thanks for coming to my rescue, Blank." I gratefully took my racket from him. "Who were those guys, anyway?"
"I don't know their names," he replied, "But they're part of a network of men who track down people that are alone and happen to go into dark places. They work in pairs, and take turns stealing the person's things and…" My eyes widened. He nodded. "You're lucky to get out alive…and unharmed."
I glanced around. "Why are we here, then? Shouldn't we stay out on the open street?"
"Two reasons." He leaned against the wall. "There are two of us, which is a match for the two of them. Reason number two—Alexandrian and Lindblum soldiers are on the lookout for you."
"Please don't turn me in!" I begged. The last thing in the world I wanted to do was to go back into the care of Beatrix and Steiner, who would probably watch my every movement, and post such thick security another escape would be impossible.
Blank shook his head. "I'm here to take you to Boss."
"He knows why I escaped?"
"Everybody knows why you escaped."
I frowned. Were my motives always so obvious? "But you're still going to help me?"
He shrugged. "We want to find Zidane as much as you do, even if he did quit Tantalus."
"Well, well, so you're the missing Queen," a voice said. The two men I had been stalked by earlier jumped down. "I should've known. So pretty…of course, we'd like to have a little fun with you before we turn you in and get the reward money."
"I'd have you murdered," I declared.
He shook his head. "We're masters of disguise and hiding. You're lousy General couldn't find us if we stood in front of her."
"Don't you dare talk about Beatrix like that!" I yelled. Blank drew his sword.
"I don't recommend trying to fight us," he grinned evilly. More men appeared from the shadows.
"Run!" Blank yelled, and we turned around and dashed for it.
"Boo!" There was taunting laughter as more men blocked our way.
Blank cursed. "We're surrounded." We both watched helplessly as the men creeped upon us like a pack of wolves, ready to devour their prey.
AN: This chapter is long. I think this stuff is pretty self-explanatory, so I'll go work on the next chapter. Make sure you tell me what you think!