Wrongfully Accused

Chapter Ten

The sound of Quistis' footsteps echoed throughout the quiet street as she ran towards her destination. It was 10:59pm, the dinner party had ended a lot later than she had expected. 'I hope this person has nothing against tardiness.' As the gateway came into view she slowed her pace down to a jog. Quickly she ran over in her head all things she'd prepared, GF's, offensive and defensive magic, and a few items. She'd brought her whip but it was safely concealed in her jacket along with a small dagger. Quistis didn't want to risk scaring this person off, even if there intentions where to harm or kill her. She might still be able to get information out of them regardless of whether they where on her side or not.

11:02, she'd made it just in time. She hid herself in the bushes to the left of the road facing the gateway, and scanned the area for activity. She was not going to risk walking into a trap.

Silence. No movement, no voices, nothing. 'That's strange, I felt for sure that there would be a small crowd around here. Galbadia isn't exactly known for being quiet, day or night. There isn't even any buses.' Quistis felt a shiver run down her spine. 'This is not good, something's wrong. This was a bad idea.' She looked down at her watch, 11:06. 'No sign of anybody. Screw this, I'm getting out of here.' She placed her hands on the ground, preparing to push herself to her feet, then she heard it. Footsteps. She froze, straining her ears. 'I heard it, I know I did.' There they where again, this time behind her. Quickly she spun around. Like before, there was nothing. This time however, Quistis noticed a slight depression in the ground, a little over three meters from where she was crouching. 'Footprints? They weren't there before.' Keeping low to the ground, she stealthily moved in to get a better look. 'They're footprints alright, and they're definitely fresh.' . Slowly she stepped out of the protective cover of the bushes. Big mistake. Out of nowhere two strong hands grabbed her roughly by the arms and pulled her back into the shrubs. Before she could react a hand was clasped over her mouth and an arm wrapped around her chest, pinning her arms to her body as her assailant flung her to the ground. She struggled to break free, but the persons grip was too strong.

"Be still woman or you'll get us both killed!" Quistis cringed at the harsh male voice, but did as she was told. There was no point in fighting back now. Not until he released his grip. Then she heard it, footsteps. Quistis froze as she saw two figures stop, less than a meter away from where she and her 'attacker' lay.

"Did you see her?"

"No sir, and the big guys gone too."

"Shit! I knew he was trouble. Ok go tell the others to back off for now, but keep a couple of lookouts posted around the gateway. Just in case."

"Yes sir."

"And remember. Keep out of site, there's enough suspicion amongst the authorities as it is."

"Yes sir."

When the figures where out of site Quistis felt the hand over her mouth loosen.

"All right, I'm going to let you go know, don't go making a scene." Quistis nodded, but prepared herself of a fight. As soon as he released his grip she spun around and grabbed his left shoulder, in one quick movement she flipped him on to his stomach and pinned his left arm behind his back. Quistis smiled as she saw him wince with pain.

"Aaaargh! Damn girl, you said you wouldn't make a scene."

"I lied. Who the hell are you?"

"I can't tell you that."

"Is that so?" She pulled his arm further behind his back.

"Aaargh!! I'm serious. I'll get myself killed if I tell you."

"You're going to get yourself killed is you don't tell me."

"Ha ha ha, an innocent little girl you, killing a fully grown man like myself. I'd like to see that." Upon hearing those words Quistis reached insider her jacket and removed the small dagger. She held the blade up to his throat.

"Y-you wouldn't." He stammered. She pushed the side of the blade further into his skin, causing a small droplets of blood to run down his neck.

"Try me." Quistis whispered in his ear while waited for his next move. She hadn't intended on using such violence. He had prevented her from getting caught just a moment ago after all, but she refused to let him think he had the upper hand simply because of his size and gender.

"I can't tell you my name, I'd rather die at the hands of a SeeD than Look, you're hear for a mission right?"

"What's it to you?"

"Your groups not as discrete as you think. Someone is already after you and your friends."

"You're lying, we are just here for publicity reasons."

"You might be able to fool the public, but not my bosses."

"Who are your bosses?"

"Can't tell you that."

"Then what can you tell me?!"

"Shhh, keep it down! They're still around."

"Who are 'they'?"

"Those men you saw."

"Damn, this is going nowhere."

"Let me go and I'll lead you to a place we can talk." Quistis thought about his proposal for a moment before replying.

"Weapons?"

"6 shooter, in my left jacket pocket." Quistis removed his gun then ran her free hand down his sides and legs, checking for other weapons.

"Getting a little friendly aren't we miss Trepe?" At the mention of her name, Quistis once again pushed the blade, which was still held at his throat, further into the skin.

"Don't take it personally woman." Once again footsteps could be heard. "Shit! We really have to get out of here." Quistis slowly eased the dagger away from his neck and stood up.

"Stay in front of me, keep your hands where I can see them and don't do a damn thing until I tell you to." She checked that the gun was loaded and aimed at his back. "Now get up." Slowly he got to his feet. "Walk." Quistis once again commanded.

He started walking in the direction of the park, keeping in the shadows as Quistis had before. 'Well, he's no SeeD, but he is still a professional. I'm going to have to stay on my toes with this one.'

They walked through the park and crossed the road to Caraway's mansion.

"Where are you taking me?" Quistis asked, her voice showing no signs of her fear and doubt.

"Somewhere safe, no one will follow us there."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Cause no one knows about it."

Quistis shuddered at the thought. 'If no one knows about it, then no one will find me if something should happen.' Her pace started to slow down as she began debating with herself. 'I shouldn't be doing this, it goes against every regulation in the handbook. But there may not be a second chance with this guy, and if he is legitimate, then he may be the key to this whole mess. But what if it's a trap? Ah! Get a hold of yourself Quistis. You're a SeeD, you can take care of yourself.'

"Everything ok back there?" He started to turn around.

"Face the front! Keep walking!"

"Hmph, touchy."

The walked to the side of caraway's mansion, and turned into a walkway hidden by some bushes. They continued to walk until they came to a sharp turn. The pathway then lead behind the mansion but ended a few meters later. They stopped just in front of a what appeared to be a garden shed.

"I didn't know Caraway had this."

"Neither does he."

She followed him into the shed, but froze as she heard breathing behind her. Keeping the gun pointed at it's original target, she grabbed the dagger and turned her body in the direction of the sound. Quistis saw a second male figure come out of the shadows and try to grab the knife. She moved it out of the way and swiped at his chest causing him to stumble back. The first man grabbed other her hand and pushed it behind her back.

"Aaargh!!"

"Let's see how you like it bitch." He pulled tighter at her arm causing her to cry out again

"Stop it Garrison, let the girl go. Just take her weapons."

"Bu... Fine! Don't move bitch, or I might trip, and that would be a very bad thing." He said, holding the knife in front of her face, but Quistis refused to be intimidated by his actions.

"It's funny how a man's actions can change once knows he's in charge, you weren't so confident when I had you on the ground before." She heard the second man snickering in the background.

"Damn you bitch."

"Just take care of her."

Quistis yelped as something hard hit the back of her head, sending her flying to the ground. She looked up at the figure of the second man clutching his now bloodied chest before a second blow knocked her unconscious.

The first thing Quistis noticed was the throbbing at the back of her head. She couldn't move her arms but she could tell by the warm sticky substance running down her neck that the wound was serious. Her eyesight was fuzzy but she could see the ropes binding her arms and legs to the chair she'd been placed in, beyond that however, everything was a blur. She lifted her head as she heard two men walk into the room. 'Those two assholes from before I presume.'

"Open your eyes." The one she had wounded demanded. A bright light was flashed in her eyes, making her turn her head, but a strong hand grabbed her chin and turned it back.

"What's your name?"

"What's yours?" Quistis slurred

"See BJ, I told you she was a smartarse."

"Stay out of this Garrison. Once again, can you tell me your name.?"

"I could, but I'm not." Quistis was slowly regaining her ability to speak.

"Fine. Do you know why you're hear?"

"......No."

BJ lowed his voice to a whisper. "Quistis, I know you might not believe me right now, but I want to help you."

"........."

"You're in great danger Quistis, we all are. You need to get yourself and your friends out of this city."

"C-Can't."

"This is your last chance. Leave before you get too involved."

"........."

"Look, Quistis this thing isn't what it appears to be. If you get involved you'll be killed... or worse."

"...Worse?"

"One of your friends has already been caught the in crossfire."

"What?"

Garrison spoke up from the back of the room. "Yeah, last I heard he'd been transferred from the military wing of the hospital to some secret location about 5 days ago. No one knows where he is. Not even the police."

BJ nodded in agreement. "They may not have killed him yet, but they will destroy him in other ways."

"Who are you talking about?"

The two men looked at each other. "I think we've said enough for one night. Garrison, untie her legs." BJ walked over and picked up a syringe from the nearest table. "I trust that this conversation of ours shall not be mentioned to anybody else." Quistis eyed the needle as it pierced the pale skin of her lower arm. She tried to lift her head to get look at their faces, but her whole body had gone limp, then there was nothing but darkness.

When Quistis woke up again the next day, she was lying in her hotel room, her wounds cleaned and bandaged. Resting her head back down on the pillow, she looked up at the window, hypnotized by rays of light streaming through the curtains. The events of the previous night where foggy, but it was slowly coming back to her. The dinner, the gateway, the attack. It was slowly becoming clear. Sitting up, she looked down at her bruised wrists, where the ropes had dug into her skin before turning her head to look at her reflection in the mirror beside her bed. 'What am I supposed to do know?'

I hope you all like this chapter because it's one of my favorites. I'm always reading fanfiction where Quistis is a complete basketcase who can no longer cope with life. Don't misunderstand me, I think most of them are really good stories, but I've always seen Quistis as someone who is more likely to kick a guys ass, rather than cry on his shoulder.