Chapter 2
Winhill, June 17th 2011.
"And then the princess and the prince lived happily ever after," called out a little girl to the audience.
There was a small audience sat on plastic chairs in the small school hall, which mainly consisted of parents and grandparents. Among the crowd was a young woman with her long dark hair flowing freely down her back.
The group of five year olds all stood together on the stage to take a bow as the audience applauded them. A teacher appeared on the stage to thank everyone for coming and those who helped out with the play. Once again there was an applause and soon after parents stood to greet their children and return home.
A bouncy young girl skipped up to her mother with a smile on her face. Her short hair just reaching her shoulders and wearing her favourite blue dress. "Mommy, did you see me on stage?" she said as they started to walk towards the exit of the village school.
"Yes I did and you are a very good actress," the lady said as they walked out into the cool night air. "Your father will be very proud."
It pained her to talk about the girl's father; life had been hard after her husband's death a few years ago. Telling her daughter, who was only three at the time, who even harder. If she'd learnt one thing in life, it would be that no one has complete control over their lives. Fate makes its own destiny.
The rest of the journey home was very quiet and neither of them really spoke until they got back home.
When she opened the door to her home she was greeted by an old face. The lady who owned a shop nearby had agreed to look after her 'guest' while she went to her daughters play. Jane looked up from her book when she heard the click of the door opening. A little girl came running up to her and gave her a quick hug.
"Hello Ellone," Jane said as she returned the embrace. "How was your school play?"
"I was scared at the beginning," Ellone looked down at the floor as if it was something to be ashamed of. "But I did what you said and imagined everyone to be big bunny rabbits."
Jane couldn't help but chuckle at this. "And did it work for you?"
Ellone nodded her head. "Uh-huh."
"How much money do I owe you?"
Jane turned her attention to the girl's mother who stood close by with purse in hand. "Raine, I don't want any money."
Raine gave the aging woman before her a smile. Jane had always been a woman who did a good deed without expecting anything back. "Are you sure?"
"Yes dear, it's been no trouble at all anyway," she said with a wave of her hand dismissing the subject.
Raine looked down towards her daughter who was sat at the table making a tower out of bricks. "Ellone, go to the bathroom and brush your teeth to get ready for bed."
She watched as Ellone nodded her head and did as she was told, humming a nursery rhyme to herself as she went up the stairs. As soon as she had disappeared upstairs Raine turned back to Jane. "Has he woken up yet?"
Jane shook her head, she knew exactly who her friend was talking around. A couple of days ago an injured man had found his way to Raine's home. He had been constantly knocking on her front door in the early hours of the morning. When she had opened the door he had fainted and been unconscious ever since.
"He's just the same as he has been the last few days. Although at one point this evening I thought he had woken up but he was just talking in his sleep," Jane said looking at the concern in Raine's eyes. "It's very thoughtful of you to take a stranger in like this."
"He literally dropped in here anyway," Raine said with a slight smile. "And anyway, it's not like anyone else would help him. You know the people in Winhill are like whenever a stranger appears."
"I know but if you need any help you do know I'll always be here, don't you?"
"Of course, and you already have been a big help to me."
The two women walked towards the front door to say their goodbyes. Stepping out into the cold night she turned to look back at Raine. "Take care," she said before turning and making her way through the village to her home.
Raine leaned against the closed door for support and let out a slow sigh. She had to admit to herself it felt strange having a male in the house again, even if he was unconscious, but still it gave her a little warm feeling in her heart. Two years ago she had been left a lonely widow and throughout that time she felt like one by one she seemed to be giving up everything. Her heart was starting to feel the winter frost.
The sound of a voice took her out of her thoughts. She remembered that she had sent Ellone to bed and she may be waiting for her mother. Raine took her weight off the door and made her way upstairs into her daughter's room. The door was already half open with the dim glow of the nightlight spilling on to the floor. She opened the door only to see her daughter asleep on her bed. In her arms she held a book that she probably wanted Raine to read to her before she went to sleep. Soundlessly she walked across the room and kneeled down so she was the same height as Ellone.
She had never given up on Ellone. For months she had been the one who kept Raine going through life. It was probably her positive energy and face that made her feel a little less alone in the world.
Carefully taking the storybook out of Ellone's arms so as not to wake her she looked down at the hardback cover in her hands. The story was 'The Ugly Duckling'. A tale of a young and lonely duckling that was despised by the other ducks because it wasn't like them. At least that's what the rest of the ducks thought, until one day the ugly duckling shedded his feathers and became something magnificent. It was then that the other ducks realised it was the same as them all along.
Raine leaned over and kissed Ellone on the forehead and headed out of the room as quietly as she came in.
"If only life was that simple," she said under her breath looking down at the book once more.
A voice called out once more, Raine noticed that it seemed to be a man's voice that she was hearing. She looked to the hallway towards a wooden door where her injured guest lay. She walked towards the door of the guest room and pressed her head against the cool surface. Slowly Raine reached for the doorknob and opened the door being careful that she didn't make to much noise.
The first thing he felt was an aching pain running through his body. He tried to open his eyes but found that they were too heavy. Then his memories came back to him. He remembered the heavy rain pouring down on him and washing the dried blood from his arms. He had returned to his human state a few hours ago not sure where he was anymore. Since night had crept along the sky he had lost his way.
The cold wind blew through his wet locks of hair and caused him to shiver. Just a little further, he thought to himself, someone would come soon. His feet were freezing and since the grass beneath his feet was turning into wet mud. He carried on walking through the night for about an hour or so until he saw some buildings ahead and he realised he was heading towards a small village. Just a little further, he repeated in his head until he entered the village. Not entirely sure of where to go he walked towards the first house he saw. Something inside him told him that this was a safe place to go.
He knocked on the door and waited. No response. His head felt as though it was going to explode and his vision began to get blurry. He knocked louder this time. The cold rain against his skin was starting to sting, he felt weak but still he knocked on the door. It wasn't until someone opened the door that his legs could no longer hold him and his world became black.
He could hear someone approaching and so he forced his eyes to open. His vision was blurry and everything was so bright he had to close his eyes once more. The mattress of the bed lowered as he felt someone sit beside him. Once more he forced his eyes open but still the world was blurred. He just managed to make out the dark hair and smell the perfume of a woman beside him.
"J...Julia?" his voice croaked. He blinked a few times until his vision cleared and he saw a woman looking down at him with long hair falling freely, he saw something in her eyes, although he wasn't sure what it was.
It wasn't Julia.
"Who are you?" he said as he studied the woman before him.
"My name is Raine Leonhart. You came here a couple of days ago, I've been looking after you ever since."
"Oh..." he said feeling a little confused. Had he really been here a couple of days? It only felt like yesterday everything had happened.
She gave him a smile. "You can stay here until you get better, I'll change your bandages and provide you with food. As long as you don't cause any trouble that is."
He nodded his head. "Thank you, Raine." He saw her smile for the first time since he had awoken. "Could you tell me where I am?"
"You're in Winhill," she said with a slight laugh. "Is there anyone you need to contact?"
"No." That was the last thing on his mind; he knew he couldn't let anyone know he was here. There was no one he could tell anyway, he had no one anymore.
A few minutes passed with an awkward silence. Raine couldn't help but get drawn into this man's eyes. They had something strange about them, she felt like she could see right through her soul. Something about them seemed familiar.
"The Ugly Duckling," a voice finally spoke up bringing Raine back from her thoughts. She looked down at the book sat on her thighs.
"It's my daughters book," she said looking back at him. "She lives here as well, I'll introduce you to her tomorrow if you're awake."
"I'd love to meet her," he said looking into her eyes. "You're married then?"
"I used to be," she said suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "He died two years ago."
"Sorry."
Raine waved her hand dismissing his apology. "You weren't to know. I think you should get some rest now, I'll talk to you in the morning," she said standing to her feet and walking towards the door.
"The name's Laguna."
Raine turned around to face the man once more. "Goodnight Laguna," she said before closing the door.
~*~
A cassette found in army records at a Galbadian army base, on the outskirts of Deling City. The date is unknown but presumed to be sometime after June 12th 2011. The clients voice was later identified as Galbadian soldier Colin Graves and the psychiatrist involved was presumed to be Alison Beck.
Alison: So Colin, how are you feeling today?
Colin: Fine.
Alison: That's good. Today I was thinking that we could carry on where we left off last session. Is that okay with you?
Colin: No.
Alison: But we got so far yesterday, why the sudden change of heart?
Colin: Because.
Alison: Because what, Colin?
Colin: I don't need any help from anybody. I've already said I'm fine so can you just leave me alone.
Alison: I'm only trying to help you Colin, there are people in the Galbadian Army who have been worried about you since that night.
Colin: You don't care though, you think I'm crazy just like the rest of them.
Alison: I don't think you're crazy, and neither does anyone else. Why would you say that?
Colin: Because when I tell people what he did they send me to a shrink.
Alison: Well you haven't told me what he did to you yet. I'm sat right here just to listen to you, so why don't you tell me about it?
Colin: You'll think I'm crazy if I tell you.
Alison: You don't look crazy to me.
Colin: Okay I'll tell you. We got an order to capture the man, Laguna. We were told he was dangerous and if he didn't respond to our orders we had permission to kill him.
Alison: Were you nervous?
Colin: A little, yeah, 'cus it was my first serious mission. Anyway, it ended up with me and another soldier chasing after him and then the strangest thing happened...he jumped on the roof of a building.
Alison: If he wanted to get away he would do crazy things.
Colin: No, you don't understand. We were on the ground and he jumped on the roof of a ten-storey building.
Alison: Are you sure he jumped?
Colin: I don't know, suppose he could have had some sort of gadget to get him up there or a rope or something.
Alison: Most likely. Did you follow?
Colin: Yeah, but I had to go up using the lift instead. By the time I actually got up there I was surprised to see him still there.
Alison: What was he doing?
Colin: He was just sat there. I can remember telling him to come with me but he wouldn't move.
Alison: What did you do then?
Colin: I...I was going to kill him. I can't really remember much of what happened on the roof. Just...
Alison: Just what?
Colin: It doesn't matter, I can't remember.
Alison: I have a feeling that you can. Look how far we've come Colin. Tell me what happened when you were up on the roof.
Colin: I...he said something to me.
Alison: What did he say?
Colin: He told me to look at him.
Alison: And did you?
Colin: Yeah, it was his eyes. They changed.
Alison: What do you mean?
Colin: I can't explain it. It was like once I looked I couldn't turn away. I kept seeing things. First of all it was when I was a kid, I saw my whole past, right until the present. Even after that it didn't stop. I saw myself die in his eyes.
~*~
Winhill October 31st 2011
Raine took one last look inside the pub and switched off the light, which had been the remaining source keeping the empty tables and chairs the past hour before being swallowed up by the night. Stepping out in the frosty winter air she automatically wrapped her arms around herself to keep warm. A white smoke came from her mouth as she breathed out into the cold.
She locked the door of the pub placing the keys in her bag as she walked to the house next door.
From the inside she could hear laughter coming from her daughter. Ellone had been a little nervous when she had first met Laguna. They'd know each other for four months now and it was as if he were a family member. Although Raine wasn't sure is she liked the idea of her daughter thinking of her guest as family.
She opened the and found the living room full of Halloween decorations. On the table were two pumpkins, the inside had been scooped out and were soon to be carved into a face. A plastic skeleton hung from a wall along with various other monsters hanging around the room, but no Ellone or Laguna.
She suddenly saw her daughter jump out from under the table making a cackling laugh. She wore a black dress with a black pointy hat and in her hands was an old broom. Behind her stood Laguna proudly dressed as a pirate.
"Do yoo like our costumes?" said the witch bouncing up and down with excitement. "Me and Laguna made them ourselves."
"They're very scary," she laughed looking from Laguna to her daughter and then back again.
"I'm glad you like them," Laguna said with a smile. "Elle intended to give you a 'festive scare' when you came back home, right?"
Ellone turned to Laguna with a big smile on her face. Raine couldn't help but notice how happy Ellone had been since Laguna had turned up. She hadn't seen her smile like that for a long time.
"Right," said Ellone.
After about an hour of watching Ellone and Laguna mess around pretending to be witches and pirates and carving each house members face into pumpkins she decided to put Ellone to bed.
"Are you and Laguna gonna get married?" Ellone asked as bedding sheets were pulled over her.
Raine paused for a moment, the question catching her off guard. She had never thought about her and Laguna before whether it be friendship or relationship, she had always taken it for granted he was there. Of course he would want to leave and return back to the life he had once before, she intended that at the beginningā¦but why did she feel disappointed?
"I don't know," she said dismissing her last thoughts. "When he feels up to it he'll probably return home."
"But isn't this his home here now?" Ellone asked. "Mummy, Laguna and Elle."
She saw the pleading look in her daughter's eyes, Raine wanted Laguna to stay with them as much as Ellone did. She gave Ellone a smile. "No one can predict the futureā¦but you can still wish."
Raine kissed her daughter goodnight and returned downstairs to where Laguna was. He sat at the table with the pumpkins on. Raine pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. She looked at the two pumpkins for a moment, she picked up the bigger of the two and ran her hand down the smooth texture.
"This supposed to be me?" Raine spoke up for the first time since she had returned.
"Yeah," he said with a smile. "and that little one that was next to it is Ellone."
"It's a shame you didn't have another to do yourself."
"I'm not part of this family though," he said looking her in the eye. Their gazes locked for a moment and the room was filled with an awkward silence for the following couple of minutes until finally Raine broke it.
"Where did you live?"
Laguna looked away from her and rubbed the back of his neck. "Deling City," he said feeling slightly uncomfortable. All of the four months he had been here she had never questioned his life, he should have known this would come.
"Is it nice there?" she asked still looking at him although he couldn't look at her anymore, this was too hard for him.
"Yeah, I guess if you like busy places," he found himself saying.
"Must be different from Winhill."
"It is, but Winhill's a nicer place."
He saw Raine pick up a newspaper and look at the front-page story. "When are you leaving?" she asked.
Laguna looked at Raine now and her eyes were locked with his. "I can leave as soon as possible I guess...if you don't want me here."
This time Raine was the one to turn away. "Ellone wants you to stay...and so do I, I guess."
Laguna reached his hand under her chin so that he could look into her eyes. "Thank you," he said softly.
"For what?" she asked suddenly feeling like she couldn't breath.
"For what?" Laguna repeated her last statement. "For taking care of me and allowing me into your home. I probably would have died if it wasn't for you, or even worse."
"I'm sure anyone would have done the same," Raine stated simply.
"Not everybody, no. I'm sure lots of people around here wouldn't have let a stranger in their home, regardless of their injuries."
They were both silent for a moment, both unable to look away until Raine spoke up.
"What did you mean..." she paused for a moment trying to find the right words. "You said you could have died or even worse."
"I'm sure you know there are points in your life when death seems so much easier than a path you have to walk down," he said quietly.
"Yeah," Raine said feeling her heart sink. "It's usually when something bad happens and you end up afraid of the future because you don't know where your path leads."
Laguna knew what she was talking about, he could always see an emptiness in her eyes. Even when she smiled or laughed he could see an empty hole, a hole that had formed when her husband died.
He had told her the truth about how death seemed easier than a path he would probably have to walk down someday. Being captured by the Galbadian Army and taken to a lab to be tested on like a hamster. Ever since being at Winhill with Raine he felt...human. With Ellone and Raine he was a normal man with a family... his family. Laguna wrapped his arms around Raine and pressed his lips against hers in a passionate kiss.
To fill both their empty holes.
Authors note: Firstly, I know that Ellone isn't Raine's daughter but I felt I had to change the storyline a bit to make sense. I think that I've forgotten to mention that I might include some sections of articles all will be written by moi of course. Thanks to everyone who reviewed Phoenix Blade, JML and Rhi-an. Hopefully I'll get more than three reviews this chapter as I've spent a very long time planning this thing out! But still, thank you so much for all the advice given from those three reviewers.
I'm not sure when I will be updating next as school has started and it likes to go over the top with homework and coursework. I will update as soon as I can though!
