Project S.

Written by: Jessica Davis

I made my way to the town square and threw the animal on the ground next to a bench where I sat down. I was covered in dry blood, and extremely exhausted. Though I didn't understand why, it was only a small battle with a wolf. I let out a heavy sigh as people walked by, staring. But I hardly cared. Not like I really knew them or anything.

"Are you ok, dear?" came a haggard old voice.

I looked up to see an old lady standing by my giving me a look of sympathy. "I'm fine. I just need some rest."

"Would you like to rest over at my place?" she invited me with a smile. I really didn't see why not, I needed to shower and eat.

"Do you mind if I ask to use your shower?" I asked.

"Of coarse you can…" my stomach growled and she looked at me with a grin, "But you must eat first."

Carefully I picked up the wolf and walked with her to her house, of coarse, having some curious eyes follow us. When we got inside I was immediately swept with the fresh smell of flowers. It was really no surprise, the people of Kalm lived on the outskirts of Midgar, and had plenty more recourses than in the city, they grew flowers here, and used very little mako for their power. This old woman seemed to really love blue lilies, I did too. She escorted me to her kitchen and pointed to the cutting board for me to place the wolf's body, which I did. I took it that she is a chief. But I was wrong. A young man came in about ten minutes after she began cooking some stew, and began to work on chopping the animal up after iving me a quick look. He looked to be in his early twenties, and quite toned.

"This is my son, Shorin." said the old woman from the stove. Shorin gave me an awkward look.

"What's your name?" he asked

"Me? My name is Akemi." I answered.

"Akemi huh? You have a last name?" he continued. I froze, honestly, I didn't know my last name. I was about to just make something up when he interrupted me with a shocked face, "Are you ok?? Your face! It's blue!"

The old woman turned to look at me, and she froze in horror. I felt my face, and it was like touching an icicle. The same thing from the cave was happening. But this time, I had started to get a headache. It was really bad, my head was pounding like crazy, and the sound of screams echoed like the night in the train graveyard. But as soon as it happened, it was over. Everything was quiet again. I looked up at the two who were just as confused as I was.

But the old lady was snapped back to reality as her stew began to boil and bits of it flew out of the burning pot. Shorin, however, still had his attention on me. I looked away, and stared at the floor. My face was warming up again.

"I don't know what's wrong with you…" began the old lady, " But whatever it is, I'm sure it will go away." she dipped her ladle into the food and tasted to steaming spoon. He cheery attitude had come back quickly.

After finishing up the delicious food I headed upstairs and into her shower. The same squeaky faucet seemed to be here as well, as I hopped into the warm body. It felt so good to shower again, and it had only been three days…I think. When my shower was done, I grabbed the warm towel and wrapped it around my soaked body, then stood over the sink. Turning the water on, I dipped my hands in the rush and splashed my face, when I went for a second handful, the water froze in my hands. Shocked, I dropped the frozen liquid and it shattered on the drain. "I know I have powers…but not like this" was the thought that came to mind as I stared at the shards of ice, now melting.

I let my mind clear and I headed to the door of the bathroom, when I heard voices. It was Shorin and his mother.

"I don't think she should stay here." came Shorins voice.

"But she was covered in blood, and hungry. I couldn't let her starve." the old voice responded.

"The last thing we need are the soldiers coming to our house because of her! If she's a threat to them, they'll kill all three of us! Or, she could be dangerous! Not many women kill wolves nowadays!"

"Well at least let her stay the night…" she begged.

"…fine! But in the morning, she leaves!…" footsteps followed down the hall, but then stopped and his voice came again, "…you know that I'm only trying to protect you."

"…I know…"

"Sometimes, your heart is just too big mom." then the footsteps continued on their way.

I knew that I wasn't welcome here. But I had to concentrate on getting back to Midgar. I needed to find out what had happened to the black materia. I walked to the guest room and lye down on the soft bed. It felt like years since I had last had a nice place to sleep. It didn't take long before I had passed out into my own land of dreams.

"Project S! Damnit! How the fuck can she be dead?!" the slick haired man paced the floor angrily. "What a pathetic vessel! Too weak to even sustain the janova cells! Get rid of her!" he yelled.

"But where?" came another voice.

"I don't care! Throw her anywhere! Not like she's any use to this world anymore anyways…"

I awoke covered in cold sweat. My head was pounding with unfamiliar voices. Who where they? I pulled the sheets from me and sat up staring out the window. The birds were singing, and the sun was just coming up. I took a deep breath before standing up. Then headed to the door. Shorin was already outside and ready to kick me out. He didn't even need to tell me. I headed down the stairs and thanked the old woman, telling here that she should use the meat for future stews. Then I made my way out, giving Shorin a look of admiration. I knew that what he held against me was nothing personal, only concern for his mother.

In town, people gave me quick looks as I made my way to the town weapon shop. The man at the counter looked at me, not of curiosity, but like I was nothing more than another customer, ready to hand him gil. "Good evening ma'am. How can I help ya?" he cheerily asked.

"I need a weapon…what do you have?"

He seemed a bit confused that a woman would want a weapon, but didn't ask, instead he simply smiled larger, and pointed to the glass counter he was leaning on., "How about any of these?" he grinned.

I skimmed the shelf below the glass until I came across an interesting pendant, "What's that?" I asked.

"That? Well, honestly, I don't know…" he knew how interested I appeared in it, and like any good merchant, decided to use this against me, "It's a very good piece, however. I'm sure you'll love to own it. Only 500 gil!"

"500 eh?…how about 100?" He grinned towards him.

"Sorry ma'am, but this isn't an auction. It's 500gil and no less." He said satisfied with his own words.

I quickly snatched his shirt and snapped, "How about you make it free?" I began squeezing his neck, digging my nails into his skin, and grinning madly.

"…um…ok…free it is." I lowered him and he scrambled to open the case and pulled out the pendant. I honestly didn't know why I did that, it was like some strange new impulse ran through my body. I snatched the pendant from him, then headed out of the building, but not without interference from a few men. They appeared to be miners, and pissed.

"I don't like the way you come into our town and begin bossing our hard-working men around." said the tallest. There were two right behind him.

"Oh really?" I snapped, pocketing the pendant.

"Yeah, I don't appreciate you harass our elders, either!" he continued.

"harass? I didn't harass anyone! You got that!?!" I brushed past him, but he grabbed onto my shirt, and pulled me back.

"You wanna say that to my face?" he barked.

The next thing was completely out of my control, I had no idea what had really happened, but his arm that held me was beginning to freeze up, the ice began claiming his body until he was completely covered, and an instant after, he shattered into thousands of pieces. Seeing this, the other two scattered off in their own directions screaming their heads off.

I just stood there…oblivious as to what had happened. My mind jolted back to reality as Shorin yelled to me, "You should get out of here!"

He was at my side. I turned to him, my body was freezing up again. Without really waiting, he grabbed my arm and began to pull me out of the village. When we were a while away, he stopped and looked at me.

"I don't really know why my mom trusts you, but for some reason, I do too. I suggest, however, that you do not come back to Kalm." After that, he walked back, leaving me alone. When the freezing spell had ended again, I turned to the shadows of Midgar, and began my journey home.