Author's Note: About this Chapter…Rinoa's gonna know she was molested. And who tells Rinoa? You'll see. The person who tells her is probably not the one you'd expect but I needed someone neutral – or 'safe' – to tell her. So anyway, here are the thank you notes! Oh, but one more thing, thanks to my dear, dear schoolmate, I have gotten an idea! Hurrah! This story, will end before or on the Thirtieth Chapter. I think…
Sensei Raharu – I'll try to write more soon. My Geometry long test worried me so I totally needed to work on my Theorems and Postulates. Anyway, thank you for reviewing. I'm working on the next chapters already.
SquallsGIRL – I am so sorry. I promise I'll try to update quicker. But as you know, the odds of that are always against me. Thank you for reviewing, though. Yes, Zeon is a bastard and he should burn in hell. No, I don't think anybody wants to kill you, especially not me.
yummychocolatexD – Wow, a new reviewer and the story is nearing its end. Anyhow, I'm grateful for the review. I promise to try to update soon.
PasifiKStaR – Yes, poor Rinoa. I regret having her shot and molested but…*sigh*…the story must go on! Thank you for reviewing. I hope you like this chapter better. And…well, he doesn't really have to be the one to tell her, doesn't he?
Tai-Style – I'm the writer, but I really wish the story didn't have to go there. But that was the only way I could get the story to continue. Thank you for the review, I'm glad you think it was a great chapter. I was afraid none of you guys would like it.
flare draco – Thank you for reviewing. I still really think Angelo should have been called Angel. It sounds cuter. I hope you'll like this chapter.
LionHeart823 – Thanks for the review. Actually, I really didn't want her to be molested but I guess I couldn't find a better reason. Anyway, I'll try to make the next updates sooner. I'm already starting the next chapter.
The wise – Well, she'll know now. Thank you for taking your time to read and review. It makes me feel so much happier. I'm typing the next chapters already, so I'll try to get them done soon so I can update quick. Enjoy reading.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Squall returned to visit Rinoa everyday, not caring whether Seifer was there or not. Thankfully, Seifer was to busy handling other problems to stay with Rinoa for long periods at a time. Rinoa no longer asked about what they had talked about before and Squall was grateful. However, as time neared that she was allowed to leave the hospital, she seemed to become more and more uneasy.
"Hi, Rinoa. How are you?" Squall greeted as he went into her room. "It won't be long now before you leave this place."
She smiled weakly as he took a seat beside her. A sigh escaped her lips and she said, "For some reason, I'm not looking forward to that."
"Why?" Squall questioned.
"I don't really know," she answered. "I…I just don't want to go back to where I was. I feel safe here, secure…like nothing can ever hurt me or trouble me or…or anything. I don't have to think and worry. I don't know."
Squall watched her close her eyes and breathe deeply. "You know," she said, her eyes still closed, "I've been thinking a lot. I've been thinking too much, I think." She laughed a little, opening her eyes. "I guess I'm scared now," she said, though she was still smiling.
"Scared of what?" Squall asked.
"Scared to go back," she replied. "I'm scared to leave this place and let the harshness of reality wake me up. I don't want to make decisions and make mistakes anymore." She looked at the always-expressionless Squall and laughed. "I guess I'm being selfish, aren't I? I mean, I shouldn't want all that."
"It's okay to want things," said Squall. "Everybody wants something at some point. You just need to accept the fact that we can't have everything we want."
"I know," she answered. "But wouldn't it be wonderful to live in a dream? Wouldn't it be nice if nothing ever went wrong? I know it will never be real…but…a dream." She sighed. "I wish I could just sleep and dream forever."
"Are you worried about something?" Squall asked.
"What?" she queried.
Squall shrugged. "You sound like you're trying to escape something."
"I guess I am," she said.
"What then?" he asked.
Rinoa smiled. "Sorry, Squall. I can't really tell you. I don't mean to offend you, but…you aren't the person I'd want to share this to."
"I understand," he said.
"Good," she said. "I wish I could tell you…but you have a very big part in it so it would be better if you didn't know."
He nodded once and leaned back on the chair. He wondered if she still thought about what he didn't want to tell her. But as he looked at her face, it didn't seem like that was the case. Her anxious, worried expression told him it was something else. He wished she told him but if she couldn't tell him the last thing he would do is force her to tell him.
"Squall?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he said.
"I was wondering, aren't you needed in Garden?" Rinoa questioned. "I noticed you've always been here in Deling. What does the Headmaster say?"
"Xu is taking care of things there for me," said Squall. "It's been a really long time, but I'm still on leave. My father made me leave."
"Oh," said Rinoa.
"Why did you ask?" he said.
"Nothing," Rinoa replied. "I was just wondering."
- : - : - : -
Ellone was in Deling City. Squall had really seemed worried about Rinoa and Ellone decided he could use her help. She went to the hospital Rinoa was at and didn't bother to ask at the desk. She already knew where Rinoa's room was. After riding the elevator and walking down a couple of halls, she reached Rinoa's room.
She opened the door, finding it unlocked and walked inside. Rinoa eyed her but couldn't seem to find the question she wanted to ask. Finally, she settled on, "Who are you?"
"Hi, Rinoa," she said. "My name is Ellone."
"Ellone…?" Rinoa muttered. A smile formed on her lips as she remembered hearing the name before. "Are you Squall's sister?"
Ellone nodded. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No," she said as Ellone sat down.
"Um…what are you doing here?" Rinoa asked.
"I know this isn't really a proper introduction and I might seem rude but I can't help but notice that Squall's been very much concerned about you," Ellone answered. "I wanted to talk to you about that."
"Okay," said Rinoa.
"Could you tell me," said Ellone, "why do you think Seifer's father shot you? Or why he wants to have you dead?"
Rinoa frowned a little. "How did you know about that?"
"That isn't really important right now," said Ellone.
"In all honesty, I don't know," she answered. "Seifer seems to know but he doesn't want to tell me. It makes me wonder what other things he's keeping from me."
"And you still continue to trust him?" asked Ellone.
Rinoa paused and Ellone said, "I know why he wants you dead."
"Why?" Rinoa queried.
"Do you know what pedophilia is, Rinoa?" she questioned.
Rinoa thought for a while, but then replied, "No. Not really. I know it's some kind of a mental disorder, though. What is it?"
"You're right, it's a mental disorder," said Ellone. "Um…let me put it this way. It's a mental disorder where the pedophile – person suffering from pedophilia – picks on little children. Understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, but what does that have to do with me?" said Rinoa.
"Remember your dream? The one where you met Squall as a little boy?" Ellone asked. Rinoa nodded, though she was starting to get a little apprehensive that a girl she just met knows such things already. "What you told him was what Seifer's father kept doing to you."
"That I don't understand," said Rinoa.
"Seifer told you his father was suffering from a mental disorder, didn't he?" said Ellone, hinting on the point she was trying to say.
Rinoa's mouth opened slightly. "Are you saying that…that…" she could say the words. She turned away from Ellone. "No, it can't be."
"Well, it was," said Ellone.
"No," said Rinoa. "Are you saying that Seifer's father molested me?" She returned her gaze to Ellone.
"Yes," replied Ellone. "I'm sure of it. You can ask Seifer if you want."
Tears brimmed Rinoa's eyes but she couldn't say anything for a while. Finally, she spoke. "Why didn't he tell me?" she asked.
"Who?" Ellone asked, wondering if she meant Squall or Seifer.
"Seifer…" Rinoa answered after a while.
"I'm sure he has his own reason as to why, but I assume it is because he doesn't believe it would do you good to know," Ellone said. Rinoa spoke no more and Ellone stood up. "I suppose I should leave you now. It was…nice talking to you, Rinoa, and I'm sorry for visiting so abruptly. I hope it will be a better situation the next time we see each other."
Ellone stepped out of the room and closed the door to find Squall leaning on the wall beside the door. He faced Ellone and said, "Thanks, sis."