- Chapter 8-Thank you…
Hi… I'm really sorry for not updating for weeks? Days? I have no idea. But I know it's been quite a while. I am SO sorry! 对不起! Gomen Nasai!
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"Where am I?" She whispered to herself. She was in a dark room, all alone, covered with a warm blanket on a comfy bed. She widened her eyes in fear and anger as she remembered her attackers. I swear I heard a gun shot… that means… Am I dead? She looked around the dark, dull, cold room.
Is this heaven? No....it's just too dark. Hell? Nah... too cold... Um... I know I wasn't dreaming about… that incident. It happened. I'm certain of it. Now, where can I be… hmm... maybe I should look around a bit.
Tifa was about to stand up when suddenly the door opened with a loud screech. A dark figure loomed in the doorway. Uh oh… I hope this isn't one of my assailants… please don't let it be… She held on to the warm fluffy blanket that was covering her.
Wait. It isn't like me at all to act all scared. She hurriedly dropped the blanket. "Who are you? Where am I?" She asked, as confidently as she could. Which wasn't very much at all. Her hands shivered and she could feel her legs trembling under the covers.
I'm freezing… this place is so terribly cold. She rubbed her hands together and awaited an answer.
"I…"
Tifa looked up. She could see her "assailant" clearer under the dim light. He had long black hair, and was wearing a long, crimson robe with black pants and shirt. He didn't look anything like her assailants. Ok… this is weird. I'm in a house (I assume). Not MY house, but another person's house. Right. All I need to know now is who this guy is. Or girl.
"I saved you."
Tifa raised a brow. That line would have sounded extremely cliché to any other person, but to Tifa it made sense. Perfect sense. But she hadn't been expecting that answer. After all, Tifa had an extensive imagination and was thinking up all the different things this guy could say.
"Erm… ok. So, who are you? Do I know you?" She inquired, cocking her head to the right. She was standing up by this time, but was shivering. The young man noticed that and took off his robe. How nice of him. He's giving me his nice warm robe.
True enough, he did give her his robe. "Thank you," Tifa smiled, putting it on. "But aren't you cold, stranger?" The man shook his head.
"I'm used to it. I've been living here quite awhile," He replied softly. Tifa nodded in understanding. "Oh." She said, feeling a little dumb at his frankness.
The man looked up, as if remembering something. "Oh yes, I'm not a stranger. Don't you recognize me?" He replied with a small smile. He turned and switched on the lights.
Tifa gasped for no apparent reason. (Yes, people do that sometimes) I never expected it to be Vincent… Heh. Guess I'm not a pro at this sort of thing…
"So… what happened to the guy? I swear I heard a gun shot. Why am I not injured?"
Vincent then opened his mouth to speak.
"Well, I was…"
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"…….. So now he and his gang have been arrested?" Tifa asked, relieved.
Vincent nodded. "For attempted rape and assault." Tifa laughed, then sobered. Rape and assault… how serious. I can't help but feel a little sorry for them.
Tifa looked at her watch. She nearly died in shock. It's already nearly midnight… I am going to be so dead when I return home. Oh no… I wonder how dad is. Maybe he's at the police? Oh great… I have to call him or something. I was supposed to be back by 5 or 6…
"Ahem, could I use your phone?" Tifa asked, anxiously. Vincent nodded.
"This way…" He directed her to another cold, dark room. What is up with this guy and his dull, cold rooms? She thought to herself as she picked up the old fashioned phone. It was as if the house, or what she had seen so far, was a remake of Dracula's or something.
The house was creepy, but it was terribly neat for a guy. Everything was spotless and there was no sign of anything out of place. She admired his cleanliness. Ring. Ring. She waited for someone to pick up the phone. Click.
"Hello. This is the Lockhart residence." Her father answered. Tifa detected obvious anxiousness and worry in his voice. She could nearly imagine him sweating there, fanning himself in worry and his brows locked together. He's probably worrying himself sick. Poor dad… It's all my fault…It's all my fault…
"….Dad?" Tifa said nervously.
"Tifa! Oh my goodness, I have been looking all over for you. Where have you been? Are you safe? What happened to you?? Oh, I've been so worried. I didn't know where you were! Where are you now? Are you alright?" Her dad's frantic voice questioned her.
"Dad, dad. I'm alright. I'm at a classmate's house. I'm a bit shaken up though… What happened was… well, it's a bit hard to explain. I'll tell you when I get home. I'm quite alright, don't worry." She reassured him.
"Tifa, where are you? I'll come and pick you up."
"Um… hold on dad. I'll have to ask…" Tifa put the phone down and went to look for Vincent. He was sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee and looking at the four walls. His back was turned.
"Excuse me… Vincent?" Startled, he whirled around, nearly falling off his chair.
He gave her a questioning look. "Yes?"
"Could you talk to my dad for awhile? Just tell him where you live and all that…" Tifa asked nicely.
Vincent sighed. Should I? He asked himself. Being a gentleman (A/N: I assume), he agreed and walked to the phone. It was only then that Tifa realized that he was quite tall for his age – about 6"0 or 180 cm. In fact, Tifa realized that she was quite tall herself, standing at a good 177 cm.
"Hello." Vincent said to her father.
"Yes, who am I speaking to? Are you Tifa's classmate?" Tifa's father asked hurriedly.
"….Yes."
"I have to thank you for taking my daughter in. I was so worried! She is currently in your residence, am I right?"
"That is correct."
"That's a relief. Where do you live? I'll come to bring her home." Her father inquired.
Tifa listened as the two men talked. Tired and bored, she went down to the kitchen and sat in the dim light. It was cold although she was wearing Vincent's robe. Sigh… I wonder how dad will react to… this incident. Well, I hope he will take it alright.
Not long, she heard footsteps come down the stairs. It was Vincent.
"Your father is coming in a few minutes…" He informed her.
"Did you tell him about… you know?"
Vincent shook his head. "It is not my place to tell him anything. I do not wish to intrude."
Tifa smiled. People like Vincent could be trusted. If he wasn't so stiff, he would make a great friend. I think he just needs a little care…
"Thank you, Vincent…," She said softly. She shivered unconsciously.
"…are.. you cold?" Vincent inquired politely, a slight hint of care and concern in his voice.
Tifa nodded. "Your house could be as cold as an iceberg…" She laughed at her not-too-funny joke, just to cheer the house up a bit. The entire house was so quiet and desolate. Where are his parents? His family? She thought.
There was a long, awkward moment of silence. Tifa cleared her throat noisily. "So…" She started, "Do you live alone or something? Or.. where is your family?" She cocked her head to the right and looked at him questioningly. He raised his eyes to her level and gave her a piercing glance.
"They died years back." He said curtly and awaited her reaction.
Tifa raised her hand to her mouth. "I'm…sorry. I didn't know! I'm really sorry…" She stammered apologetically.
Vincent shook his head. "There's nothing for you to feel sorry about. It wasn't your fault. Anyone would have been just as curious. I don't think you understand how it is like to lose your family."
Tifa smiled tiredly. "I do understand… I lost my mother… a few years back." Tears welled up in her eyes as she thought of all the years that had gone by without her mother. She shut her eyes and pushed back her tears. I will not cry. I will not cry. She told herself. She looked at Vincent and saw a trace of sympathy in his blood red eyes.
"But, I wouldn't know what it is like to lose your family… I really feel sorry for you…" She told him quietly.
He nodded. "True. But… don't you feel as if it was your fault that they died? Don't you feel bad? Like you could have done something to prevent their death?" He questioned, surprised at his openness with this girl.
Tifa shook her head. "No. It's NOT our fault they died and we could NOT, in any way prevent their death. They died because… they did. There's no way to prevent that. It's fate. Destiny. Yes, I do feel sad and all that. But – remember this, there is NO reason to blame yourself for their death. It was out of your reach. No one could control their fate. Feel sad, but don't go overboard and blame yourself. Don't get obsessed with the idea that it's your fault. If you do, you'll end up all depressed and sad and you'll be wondering what went wrong and all that."
She took a deep breath.
"Also, remember that other people have lost their families at a young age too, but are they depressed and full of self pity? No! Are they blaming themselves for their family's deaths? No! Are they trying to break off from all contact from the world just because of that? No! You don't have to feel so sorry. It's just self pity. You're just deceiving yourself. You may think that acting all sad is alright – hey, your family died – but, guess what, it's NOT alright! You have a choice. Either you get over it or keep thinking about it and make yourself more and more depressed. In the end, don't forget that it's all up to you. No one can help you if you choose option 2."
"I chose option 1 and I'm a much happier person I was last time. It's no use to keep all your hate and feelings inside. If you do, at least act cheerful… like me. You won't get anywhere if you keep thinking about the past. It's time to move on to the future. Don't let the past obstruct you. Push it away and you'll feel much better. I hope you'll think over what I said, Vincent. I can feel that you're a very… bitter person. I can understand your pain, but… it's better to share it, yeah?"
Tifa smiled. "Well, I'm done. I bet you're thinking, 'finally', right? Well, I really want you to think about what I told you… I would really love to be friends with you. You're nice, but you're just very bitter. Get over it, ok?"
Vincent nodded, contemplating what she had told him just now. She has a point… maybe I should… just get over the past… I'll think about it tonight…
Honk. Honk. Tifa looked up. Is that dad? Oh, it is. "Hey, here's your coat… my dad's here. Thank you for everything. See you tomorrow?"
Vincent smiled. "Yes, see you tomorrow."
Tifa felt like she should give him a hug or something. She had no idea why though. So she went towards him and gave him a warm hug and a slight peck on the cheek. "To thank you for everything." She explained with a bright smile.
Vincent felt a shiver down his back. He felt his skin turning red and hid his face away. "….my pleasure. You had better go, your father is calling." Tifa nodded.
"Hi dad!" He heard her shout to her father as he sat in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. He touched his cheek. I haven't felt this for years now… I'm not used to it… He stood up and went upstairs to his room. As he lay in bed that night, he thought about his family and what Tifa had told him.
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In Tifa's father's car, Tifa's father was asking her questions.
"What happened? Why were you at your classmate's house?" He asked.
"Well, it was like this…" Tifa explained.
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"What? Rape and assault?? Did they touch you? Did they hurt you? What happened? Are you ok? If I ever see them…" Her dad gritted his teeth as Tifa sat silently beside him.
"Dad, don't worry. They're captured now, thanks to Vincent. They didn't touch me. They didn't get a chance. I told you my martial art training was important… Well, I'm alright." She replied with a small smile.
Her father sighed. "I know Tifa, but I don't want you to get into any danger. You're all I have left… ever since…" He swallowed.
"Ever since… mom died." Tifa whispered. They had no other relatives, all of them were either dead or just couldn't be found. The Lockharts were a small family, with few relations. Her grandparents had died long ago and her cousin, Trianna, was somewhere in Africa, working as a missionary. When Trianna's parents found out, they had cut off all relations with her.
A few years back, they too died. So, officially, the Lockharts had no living relatives. (A/N: Isn't that sad?)
"I understand your concern dad… You are all I have left too…"
And I will never let you go… I will never leave you. I promise, dad.- ----------------------------------------
Well… this chapter was a little long… 7 pages if you see it as Page Layout and 9 pages if you see it online. This is why I took so long…Plus the fact that I had 4 exams last week and 2 this week.
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