[A/N This chapter might sound a little like the ending in FF8 but it's not! I mean, it won't be. ;) It might take me a while to get the next few chapters up coz' I'm going on a vacation! So please be patient with me. I'll try to get most of this story done before I leave or I'll... think of something. ^^]

Everything was dark. He looked around and his fears were confirmed.

Squall was lost in Time Compression. Again.


Stupid, stupid... I've already gotten lost once! Why again?

But he had another worry, how was he going to get out of this? The only reason he had the last time was because Rinoa had saved him. Rinoa. And now where was she?

"Where are you?!" He asked out loud. His voice was loud but he didn't care. No one heard him. Especially not her.

"You promised." He whispered.

Though he felt it was hopeless he kept on walking. It seemed like he had already done that before. Walking around to nowhere in Time Compression.

He wondered where his friends were. Perhaps they had already found Area. Or maybe they were lost like him, but that was unlikely. They had each other. Squall had no one and nothing, only his empty hopes.

He was helpless for once. Helpless without love.

The one I love is gone so same with the love I gave. It disappeared and now it will save nothing and will help no one.

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Where is Squall? Did he get lost again?

"Where are we...?" Quistis wondered out loud.

"I think... we're..." Selphie started to say.

"Lost." Irvine concluded.

"Yeah, you're right." Selphie admitted. Her usually cheery face was clouded by a look of defeat.

"Where's Squall?" Zell asked.

"We lost him in the beginning, didn't you notice?!" Quistis asked, exasperated. Not waiting for an answer, she turned around and looked everywhere but everything looked the same. Just a field.

Now what? We don't know where to go. Squall does and he's lost. Or gone. Or somewhere else. Or possibly already where Area is.

"I hope Squall's okay." Selphie worried. "At least we're together. He's all alone."
Quistis sighed.

"We just have to keep going. We can't do anything else. Besides, we've got friendship and courage and love, right?" Selphie asked them, hopefully.
No one answered her.

"Come on, guys! We can do this. Just keep going. We'll make it!" Selphie kept encouraging them.

Quistis found herself able to smile, so she did, faintly. "Alright, Selph. Let's go."

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Is it hopeless? ...But Rinoa said not to give up... I don't want to...

Squall felt weak. He had been walking for a long time and still nothing. No one, no anything.

'Stupid child...' He heard someone say.

He turned around and looked for her. He looked for Area. Maybe he was just imagining everything.

He saw no one but instead felt sharp pain, ringing in his head. He closed his eyes and wished it would just disappear.

I don't want to give up...! I don't want to!!!

He fell to his knees, just as he had in the Infirmary with Quistis. He clenched his fists and pounded them into the soil to stop himself from shouting in pain.

"Stop!" He shouted loudly. Silence was the only answer he received. The pain continued and it became harder for him to concentrate.

He found himself on the ground, finally unable to control himself anymore. His eyes were open with fear and he grabbed at his head.

Finally, after a long time, he gave in.

"Im sorry..." He said softly before closing his eyes again.

I'm sorry, Rinoa...