[----Jailyn----]
The room was deadly silent. The only noise made was the soft, soothing sound of the rain outside, the occasional distant rumble of thunder, and the clatter of silverware against the orange china plates.
My eyes darted around at each person as they ate. When they spotted me watching I made sure to give them a tight-lipped smile. Better to make friends than enemies in this situation. My eyes rested on two empty chairs. One of them was Aerith's. I didn't know the woman, true, but I still felt a tight squeeze in my chest when I thought of her. The other chair was supposed to be Cloud's...but he chose (understandably so) to take dinner in his room.
I felt Riku shift uncomfortably next to me and glanced over at him. "You okay?" I murmured softly. He nodded.
"Fine."
"You don't look fine." I continued. He was looking kind of pale...
"She's right. You sure you aren't gonna get sick or something?" Sora spoke up, setting his fork down to focus more intently on Riku's face. I didn't like his suspicious tone.
"I'm fine. I think I just bit my tongue is all." Riku was considerably snappier toward Sora than he was to me. To prove he was fine, he took a big bite out of his garlic bread. Only he and Cloud chose to eat the garlic bread. I personally had a severe, vampire-like aversion to the stuff.
The silence fell upon us again. Sora picked up his fork but kept his eyes trained inconspicuously on Riku. I held the urge to scowl at him only because I was becoming friends with his girlfriend. She and I decided we would do kitchen duty for a while. To give Riaz a break. Riaz hadn't argued, but she'd given us some fairly nasty glares through the course of the night, and refused dinner politely.
Riku suddenly put his fork down and pushed his chair back. I looked over at him in alarm. "Riku? What's-"he shook his head at me sharply and I felt panic rising in my throat. Pictures of Aerith's corpse surfaced and my eyes threatened to tear up. Was Riku going to die?
'Calm down Jailyn! You don't even know what's wrong yet!' I yelled at myself. All eyes were on Riku.
"This isn't funny. Tell me what's wrong!" I demanded, pushing my chair back to meet his.
"There's nothing wrong." He said sharply. Before I could reply he was on his feet and out of the room.
"Should someone check on him?" Kairi asked softly after a long silence. I noticed that everyone was looking at his or her food very cautiously. "We cooked. There's nothing in the food." Kairi noticed their looks and was suddenly very defensive; though I could she had pushed her own food away.
Sora started to stand. "I'm going to find him-"
"No!" I said suddenly as I jumped to my feet. "I'll go instead." I knew I sounded scared and suspicious but I couldn't help it.
Sora looked at me hard. "I'm not the killer." He said very quietly, very dangerously. I blinked.
"I don't trust anyone right now but Riku." My voice was equally as low and stressed as his. He glared daggers but sat back down. Kairi patted his hand and murmured something indistinctly. I hurried out of the dining room, the tears burning behind my eyes now made their appearance, falling with the same slow pattern as the rain. Like Chinese water torture, one after the other.
I forced myself to stop, repeating to myself that it was nothing. That I would find Riku back to his old, even-tempered self. "Riku?" I called, reaching the second floor. There was no answer. I checked out room...nothing out of the ordinary. Our beds were still made...room was clean. No sign of him.
I turned to exit and bumped into something solid. My eyes traveled upward and met bright blue-green ones. "Riku!" I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God! I was so sure that you were dead or something had happened...why'd you run off like that? You scared me have to death! Why didn't you tell me-"
I suppose he grew tired of my ramblings because he took my by the shoulders and forced me to look him in the eyes. "I already told you. I am not going to die." He spoke firmly, his eyes searching mine. "Stop crying." He added. I reached up to cover my face. My cheeks were wet. I apologized; I knew how uncomfortable he got when I started getting emotional.
"I can't help it. I swear if you die and leave me here alone I'll bring you back to life and kill you myself." I pulled him into a death-grip hug. His response took a seconds, but he finally hugged me back. "What happened to you?" I asked. His right arm unwound from around my shoulders and slipped into his back pocket.
He carefully pushed me away and held something up between us. "I swallowed this at dinner." He said in a low voice. It took me a minute to recognize the piece of metal that was glinting in the overhead light. A small razor blade. My mouth ran dry.
"How? Wouldn't you realize it before you swallowed or..." I trailed off, staring at the razor but not touching it. Its sharp edges looked deadly to the touch. It was a miracle Riku was unharmed.
"I don't really know."
"Riku that...that should have...are you okay?" I started looking for cuts without realizing that if there WERE any wounds, they'd be inside.
"Yes I'm fine. I was lucky it didn't do a lot of damage. I though I'd bit my tongue..."
"Lucky. Ohmigod!" I gasped. "The others!"
{-----Yuffie-----}
"You don't think..." I trailed off, poking my pasta with my fork.
"He probably just wasn't feeling well." Sora said quietly in response. I continued to poke, not really hungry anymore.
"There wasn't anything in the food. I know because I made it." Kairi murmured. I didn't realize she had been watching me pick at my dinner. I looked up at her apologetically.
"I just lost my appetite that's all." She nodded and the quiet made its appearance again. It seemed like every time one of us wanted to talk, silence snatched away the oxygen, leaving us all breathless and mute. I glanced sideways at Squall. He hadn't said more than 5 words since dinner.
He saw me looking at him. "What." It sounded more like a statement then a question. I looked down.
"Nothing. Just thinking." I shrugged.
"STOP!" A yell shocked us all out of our trance. The dining room door burst open. "Stop! Don't eat anything!" Jailyn burst through and slid to a stop right behind Kairi's chair.
"Jailyn?! There's nothing wrong with-"Kairi exploded, looking ready to kill the next person that suspected her cooking.
Jailyn ignored her. "There's something in it. Razors. Someone put razors in the food." She was breathing hard and spoke in short, broken sentences. I choked and began to cough violently.
"Oh God, not you too!" She gasped, literally sprinting to my side.
"No." I managed to gasp. "I just...swallowed wrong." But everyone continued watching me nervously. I took a drink of my water, glad to breath again. I was strangely pleased to see Squall watching me with obvious concern. He cared.
"Razors?" Sora asked. He had been on his feet since the minute Jailyn appeared.
"Riku swallowed one." She answered.
Kairi gasped. "Is he okay?"
"He was really lucky...If he hadn't...it would have slit his throat....or at best dissolved the lining of his stomach..." She shook her head. "No one tasted anything funny?" She changed the subject very abruptly.
"No...where is Riku right now?" Sora demanded as he headed for the door.
"He's sick. I came to warn you guys, then go warn Cloud."
"I'm going with you." Sora said.
"Then I'm going too." Kairi immediately took Sora by the hand.
"I'll stay and search the rest of the food." I offered, taking my fork and mashing everything left on my plate.
"Squall? You staying?" Sora asked. I never looked up but I could feel his eyes on me.
"Yeah." He answered. I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling. The three walked out the door, Jailyn re-explaining everything.
"Nothing in my food." I said, moving onto the next one. Leon grunted in response. We went through everyone's pasta and there was nothing. Riku's plate held nothing also...except a piece of garlic bread. "Squall!" I gasped suddenly.
He dropped the plate he was holding and rushed around the table toward me. "What? Did you find one?"
"Riku was the only one with that bread!" I picked it up with two fingers and held it carefully.
"Not the only one..." Squall said thoughtfully. "That Cloud guy had one too." I realized the situation and dropped the bread to the table with a thud. I rushed around the table and ran out the door with quickness I'd never known I was able to achieve.
I was only half-way up the dark stairwell when I felt someone jerk me back down. I instantly thought of the killer and had a horrible feeling I'd just ran into a trap. "Don't ever run off like that again." A deep voice hissed in my ear.
I felt my knees nearly buckle I relief. "God you scared me." I whispered. Squall let my wrists go.
"Sorry. Just don't run off alone anywhere." He grumbled, walking ahead of me. I nodded and shakily followed.
{----Kairi----}
Oh...my God." I shut my eyes the second I reached the room.
"Damn." I heard Jailyn murmur. "He wasn't so lucky..." Even though I begged myself not to, I couldn't help opening my eyes.
"Cloud..." There was blood on the floor and bed, some on the doorknob. Cloud was sitting up against the wall, blood trickling down his chin. By some miracle his yes were closed.
"It must have slit his throat...but wouldn't he know something wasn't right while he was chewing?" Jailyn asked.
"Obviously not. Riku didn't know either." Sora answered, looking down on his older friend sadly.
"Can we help him?" I watched as Jailyn leaned down in front of him. Her eyes were so...I wasn't sure what it was, but she didn't seem phased by the horrible sight.
"No...we might have been able to if we could get him somewhere...I swear when I catch this son of a bitch..." I looked at Sora in shock. I'd heard him cuss before but I'd never heard his so...angry. Dangerous. What happened to the goofy, careless Sora?
"By now his stomach has been cut, his lungs probably bust form the liquid...what a horrible way to die." Jailyn muttered, looking up at me sorrowfully. So far I had found two dead bodies...both my friends.
"We need to get him out of here...get this room closed off." Sora said and Jailyn stood.
"I'll go find Squall to help." She said.
"And if Riku can handle it, get him too." Sora looked at me and added, "You go on. Stay with Jailyn alright?"
I shook my head. "I'm not leaving you." I said decidedly. Nothing would separate me from him now...especially not now.
"Please...I don't want you to see this." His tone went from mature and in control to soft pleading.
"Sora." I sighed, casting a glance at Cloud. My friend... "C'mon. We gotta get him outta here." I said to Jailyn and followed her out of the room. I guess I would leave Sora...
"What did you do to the food while I wasn't looking?" I snapped. Her eyes widened and she looked at me in shock.
"I didn't do AYNTHING! Why would I put anyone in that position? Why would I put Riku in that sort of danger?!" She bit her lip suddenly as though she wanted to keep from saying something. After a moment I answered.
"Well I didn't do it either."
"Oh for God's sake Kairi." Jailyn rolled her eyes. "I know you didn't do it. None of us did it. I know who the killer is. Its obvious isn't it? Riaz. Who else has the power...who else knows about this place?" Her words began to echo in my head...it seemed to make sense. I came to an abrupt stop almost running into...Riaz.
"What has happened?" she asked, her gray eyes looking concerned. I looked at Jailyn, unable to speak. She'd startled me, showing up like that just when I was blaming her for everything. Jailyn never batted an eye.
"Cloud's been killed. Someone put razors in the food." It surprised me how calm her voice was. Riaz look horrified.
"Is everyone else okay?" She asked, looking over her shoulder.
My companion nodded. "Sora could use some help though - it's the open door." She pointed and Raiz hurried away. Jailyn took a deep breath and shook her hands out. I giggled nervously. "C'mon." She said as she cast me a small smile.
{-----?----}
I watch as the red-head they all call Kairi pulls the warm bread out of the oven. Only Blondie and the silver haired one said they wanted some...perfect. Two birds with one...razor. I wait in the shadows, my eyes following every move the two girls make. My eyes are the only that on me that moves.
"Did you take the big bowl out there yet?" Kairi asks. The other, Island was it? She shakes her head.
"Will do." She picks up the bowl of pasta and heads into the dining room. Kairi follows with two glasses in her hands. This is my chance. I must hurry before Riaz...
{-----Still Kairi-----}
"This is serious. Two people are dead." Yuffie sat with her feet pulled under her. "And the murderer is still at large."
"The murderer is one of us." Jailyn said, looking at Riaz fleetingly.
"That's ridiculous." Yuffie said, shooting a questioning glance at Squall.
"Not so ridiculous, I mean if you look at the evidence." Sora said. I watched his eyes land on Riku. Riku's eyes met his and sparked.
"What're you accusing me of?" He demanded.
"Look at it. You suggested we stay...you suggested we didn't stick together...you left in the middle of dinner and suddenly we find Cloud dead. The signs point to you."
Riku looked at me, his eyes always seemed to be searching for something. "I wouldn't purposely hurt anyone." He began.
"And its stupid to even suggest that!" Jailyn butted in, her temper flaring to dangerous heights.
"Shut up! Remember what Yuffie said about looking suspicious." Sora warned.
"Well you're looking like a mighty fine candidate yourself. Placing the blame like that." Yuffie spoke up. Sora looked furious.
"I'd never kill Cloud or Aerith!" He exploded and jumped to his feet.
"STOP IT!" I yelled. Silence fell. "This isn't helping!"
"She's right." Squall said coolly and took all of us by surprise.
"Something has to be done though." Riku said. The constant rain fell against the windows. I really started to miss the sun. Would I ever get to see the sun again? Or would I be dead tonight?
"Its late...we're tired. Lets sleep on this and discuss it in the morning." Sora stood up and offered me his hand. I took it readily.
"Sleep sounds good." Jailyn said, looking over at Riku. Yuffie had her head in her hands, bent over her knees. I could see Squall watching her and I secretly smiled as he awkwardly reached over and patted her back.
Sora led me out of the room and up to our shared room, locking the door behind him. I sat on the bed with a heavy sigh as he checked all he windows and the re-checked the door. When he opened the closet I chuckled.
He glanced at me then closed the door. "Just checking." He smiled and sat down next to me. "So...are you alright?" He asked. I shrugged with my eyes on my hands. They were so small and pale...and shaking. Sora's gaze followed mine. "Kairi." He placed his own hand over mine.
"So...we are all going to die aren't we." I said quietly. Sora's answer was hesitant this time.
"Of course not. If we don't get out of here by tomorrow, I'm walking the 30 miles."
"Sora you can't! This killer will-"
"Why wait? At least I should try." He got to his feet so quickly it took me a second to realize he was up.
"Do you really think Riku is the killer?" I asked after a long pause. Sora shut his eyes and raised his face toward the ceiling.
"I don't know." I knew this conversation was over. The sad reality was beginning to sink in. Cloud and Aerith were dead. Aerith's death was hard enough but Cloud...my eyes filled but I refused to cry. It wasn't going to solve anything. It would only succeed in blotching out my face and give Sora something to comfort me about. Besides, Cloud wouldn't want me to be upset over him.
Now...now he was happy with Aerith. "Its just a horrible way to die." Sora muttered, sinking down to the floor.
I couldn't stop it anymore. The flood gates opened. "Damn it Sora I was going to be fine until you...had to say that." I sobbed, imitating Yuffie by putting my face to my knees.
'God...I'm sorry Kai." I heard him say in a soft, apologetic voice.
"Not. Not your fault." I mumbled, my breathing quick and choppy. "I'm sorry. I must be making you uncomfortable." I stood to leave. I could always stay in Yuffie's room.
"Don't go." Sora said quickly. "Come here. He held out his hand from his position on the floor. I took it after a moment of hesitation and allowed him to pull me down onto his lap.
"I'm too heavy." I protested. He laughed softly and shook his head.
"We're gonna get out of this Kairi." He said as I leaned against him. His heart was pounding awfully quickly. "I promise."
And I felt a sickening fear growing in the pit of my stomach. For the first time in my life, I didn't believe Sora.
{----Yuffie----}
"All I wanted was to see a concert. That's all." Yuffie murmured tiredly. Squall looked at her with a blank expression. He felt partly guilty that she was in this situation. After all, he had wrecked the car and killed her sister. "I mean, what did I do to deserve this? What did any of us do? I swear if God would get us out of this I would never go to another concert again."
"Yuffie, we're going to be fine. Its only a matter of time now...your parents and those other kid's parents will be searching for you." Squall said as he watched the drizzle. 'Now would be a perfect time to bolt.' He thought. He breathed heavily and brushed a long dark bang out of his face. "We should get some sleep. We're both tired." He said as he stood and Yuffie, though slowly, got to her feet along with him.
He watched his steps, keeping her in front of him so he could see her at all times. He paid special attention to the dark areas. He was halfway expecting someone to jump them right then.
He unlocked and opened the door for her and watched as she walked in. As she passed, he took note of her dull, red tinted eyes. It occurred to him she had been crying. Immediately he grew uncomfortable, wondering if he should say anything or just pretend not to notice.
Squall had experience with women so he knew how emotional they tended to get...he decided not to notice. Yuffie didn't bother to take off her clothes before crawling in to her bed. Squall slipped his shirt off and when he was sure she was burrowed safely under the covers and couldn't see him, he pulled off his jeans and quickly got under his own blankets.
Sure she'd seen a man in boxers before, but he still felt embarrassed around her. After all, it was close to illegal, her being a minor. When he thought he was safe, there was a small laugh.
"I could hear you frantically undressing. Don't worry, I'm not going to see anything." Her voice was muffled but Squall heard it loud and clear. He didn't answer so Yuffie didn't say anything else.
~*~
"Squall!" Yuffie jerked upright in her bed, breathing heavily. The dream faded from her mind despite her desperate attempt to keep it there. "Squall?" Yuffie called quietly in the dark. There was no answer. "Squall?!" Had he left? Had the killer gotten to him next? Was he laying dead, chopped up in the floor...was the killer sitting in the room now? Staring at her...waiting..."SQUALL!" She nearly yelled in panic.
There was a sudden and loud coughing noise and then a hoarse, "Yuffie?" Yuffie felt like bursting into tears from sheer relief. "Yuffie? What's wrong?" The voice drifted across the room. She could make out the outline of his body and flinched as the bright light came on. "Are you okay?" He asked, shielding the light with his hand.
As soon as Yuffie nodded he shut off the light, leaving them in total darkness again. Yuffie's heart began to pound. Something about the dark creeped her out. She opened her mouth to ask Squall to turn the light back one when she felt something touch her shoulder.
She shrieked and nearly fell out of the bed.
"Yuf, calm! Its just me." Squall said quickly. She tried to regulate her breathing as he sat on the bed next to her. Her eyes began to adjust to the lack of light. "What happened? Nightmare?"
"Mmhmm." She answered, still jumpy. She felt him pull her comforter back and then crawl under them with her. "What-What are you doing?" Yuffie demanded nervously.
He paused. "I was going to stay here until you went back to sleep. Is that okay?" He asked coolly. When Yuffie didn't answer he laughed under his breath and crawled instead on top of the covers. "Fine. This better?" He asked and Yuffie nodded.
After all, he still WAS 21...and a guy. When she relaxed enough to drift back to sleep, she put her arm over Squall's side and found his hand. She squeezed it and murmured,
"Thanks Squall." She never got to hear his answer.
{---Jailyn----}
It couldn't have been any more silent in the room if it was empty. Hollow, stupid quiet. I missed the noise and traffic of the city. The bland house and gray scenery was really beginning to take its toll on us. Not to mention the terrible deaths floating over our heads.
My silver haired companion sat propped up against the wall on the floor nearest the window. His aqua eyes were trained blankly on me. I was returning his unoccupied stare, just as deep in thought as he was.
Thunder rumbled distantly, reminding me that time hadn't stopped. My mother used to tell me thunder was God bowling and every time he got a strike, there was lighting. I was young and scared and the thought always seemed to calm me down.
Nowadays I didn't fully believe it but deep down I still pictured God's bowling alley and I rarely grew afraid of storms. That thought couldn't comfort me now. God's entertainment had forced us all here, to await possible death. His will? Probably.
Still, I wished more than anything I didn't have to face all of this. It was too much...I was too young to die. I had my whole life waiting for me...I wanted to marry, have kids, a career...I wanted to stay with Riku.
'When did I fall for Riku?' I asked myself, studying his face. I had liked him all along I guessed. It would explain my blind jealousy when he dated other girls...and my need to stand up for him when he was perfectly capable himself. But what about Riku?
His feelings were probably not as...friendly as mine. Sure when he blushed and murmured that stuff about being glad it wasn't me, my heart jumped a mile and a half. Knowing Riku, his feelings were probably strictly platonic. Very unfortunately.
"What're you thinking?" Riku's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and put me back on the bed. I focused my eyes on Riku's calculating green ones and smiled.
"About the thunder." I replied easily. "What about you?"
He shifted and let his head fall back against the wall. "Nothing. And everything." He answered.
"That helps." I grumbled sarcastically but smiled anyway. He smirked.
"Well what're your thought on this issue." He asked, bringing his eyes back to my face. I hesitated.
"I don't really know. I'm terrified, obviously, but-"
"Terrified of what?" Riku interrupted looking intently at me. I gave him a strange look.
"You've been acting really weird lately. Anything you wanna talk about"
"What are you terrified off?" Riku ignored my question and pushed his own. I shrugged, growing uncomfortable.
"That we're all gonna die...that I'm gonna die..." I laughed quietly and shook my head. "I'm even more afraid YOU are gonna die."
Riku rolled his eyes. "I already told you-"
"Riku! It can happen! Look at dinner tonight! Look at cloud and Aerith!" I lowered my voice quickly and forced myself to calm down. "Do you realize how incredibly lucky you are? That should've killed you."
"But it didn't! Its over and done. We move on with life instead of talking about what COULD have been!" He snapped and I recoiled.
"What's the matter with you? You never used to snap at me like you have been." I asked quietly. Riku looked as though he regretted his words.
"I've got a lot on my mind. That's all."
"Then tell me about it." I said, abandoning my position and sinking down to the floor next to him. He glanced at me briefly and shook his head.
"I don't need to talk about it." He answered.
"Please? I wanna know what you're thinking." I pressed, poking his forearm.
"Ow. You have nails, not fair." He complained. I grinned and flashed my claws at him threateningly.
"Now. Tell me!" I pressed. I could tell his resolve was weakening because he sighed again and looked me in the eyes.
"I promise, I wasn't thinking about anything that mattered." He said slowly, but firmly. I gave him a look but didn't say anything else. I didn't want to push him tonight too hard after his earlier ordeal. I dropped my gaze to the floor. "So what were you thinking about. Really." He asked. To admit to him that I was falling for him would be the death of me, so I shrugged.
"Honestly? Thunder. Thinking about my mom..." I added a soft 'and you' at the end . I hadn't expected him to hear, but I'd obviously underestimated him.
"And who? Me?" Damn it. Now he was looking at me all serious with those eyes and...
"Yeah." I kept my eyes cast downward, avoiding his questioning look.
"Well...umn. Good thinking or bad thinking?"
"Neither. Just...you. Don't get your ego all puffed up just yet." I stared to stand.
'Now hold on, I wanna know." He clasped his hand firmly around my wrist and held me in place. I sank back down next to him.
"I was just thinking about you. It wasn't anything-"I looked at him. I might as well have told him, in case I was killed or he was killed. I'd hate myself if I never let him know...He must have sensed my giving up because he smiled. 'God.' I thought. 'He's so...' I flushed under his intense gaze. "Fine. I hate you, you know that? Makin me all nervous." I grumbled. "I don't know...I was thinking about us."
"The possibility of us?" He asked. I was so surprised by his answer that it took a second to regroup my thoughts.
"Yeah. The possibility of us." I repeated. He chuckled.
"And?"
"I think...its possible that maybe there is something between us."
"What kind of-"
"WHAT is with the questions? Are you a damn therapist?!" I demanded. He laughed and I blushed again. "Sorry." I murmured. The silence that followed was the best silence I'd run into yet.
An idea popped into my head and after a minute of arguing with myself, I decided to go for it. I leaned over and kissed him. When I pulled away I explained, "I didn't want that to be the one regret...if anything happened." Judging by the grin on his face I could tell he didn't mind.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The young woman walks out of the bedroom and yawns sleepily. Good...she will be unsuspecting. I stalk behind her stealthy but she doesn't notice I'm here. Oh but I am here. I finger the scratchy rope, feeling it's rough, coarse length.
Thick...strong...deadly. I have lost my concentration and let myself slip...she turns and looks behind her. She looks oddly like a deer caught in the headlights. I like it. Fear. It's why I do it. People love to be scared right? I just love to be the bump in the night.
She goes into the bathroom and locks the door...I wait. In position, I ready the rope, pulling it taut against my thigh. It wont be long now...they'll all be gone by the end of the week...and the new batch will come in.
I wasn't going to kill this one yet...I liked her. She was a very nice girl that was true. But she suspects. And I can't let her suspect. There's no reason for her to have been trying to butter me up, she knows.
The doorknob turns and I stop breathing, ready to strike. The door opens and she sees me. Her eyes widen as she says my name. Her eyes find the rope. I smile as she understands. Calmly she says, "I knew it."
"Sorry dear." I answer coolly. I am proud of her. She takes her death like a real soldier. The only thing I wish she hadn't said was,
"Have fun in hell."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TBC
Please, don't be mad over the killing of Cloud. I know I'm going to lose some readers when I really start this stuff. Two others die in the next chapter. One couple lives...Muwhaha. You know you wanna know.
I kinda left you at a cliffie during the last Squall/Yuffie POV didn't I...Evil laughter. MUWHAHA!
I noticed I kept going back and forth between Squall and Leon in the last few chapters...He shall henceforth be known as Squall. :D I really scared myself with that last part...I had no idea I could seem so evil. Don't worry, I'm not really that deranged...I think.
To show I'm not so evil...I'll let you know that in each chapter, there is a single, continuous hint that you really probably wouldn't get unless you could read my mind. Mwuaha.
***
Pingpong867 – I'm sorry!!! OMG am I sorry but I had to do it! I didn't want to kill Cloud but...*sigh* I'm a freak. Sorryness! OH and thanks so much fer the review!!
Deplora – Hehe yes I couldn't stand to see Cloud suffer. And um..as for Squall/Yuffie...hehe. I don't want to give it away!!! *Whine* I hate this! Thank you for taking the time to review, it means so much.
Shinobu – I do plan to continue it. I've realized that even though I'm addicted to reviews, I still love to write...and I should write w/or w/out reviews! Right? Yep. So this story will continue...muwhaha.
Kingdom*Hearts309 – FF ID? ^_^ Yes there are two me. I created this name when I was bored (amunetmoon) but decided to revert back to my original name. I just...am Annjirika. It's me. I can't be anyone else. Heh...please don't stop reading...later on. NOT THAT THEY are gonna die...er...ahem. Muwhaha.
Regno Cuore - Hehe, Riaz WILL die...possibly...I will give you that much...I have the entire thing planned out perfectly. Unless some huge inspiration hits and changes the course...I know what's gonna happen. Tee-hee.
Greyspark – I'm NOT GONNA STOP!!! Hehe, no worries. I have to finish this to the end. Your review made me laugh, thanks!!
The room was deadly silent. The only noise made was the soft, soothing sound of the rain outside, the occasional distant rumble of thunder, and the clatter of silverware against the orange china plates.
My eyes darted around at each person as they ate. When they spotted me watching I made sure to give them a tight-lipped smile. Better to make friends than enemies in this situation. My eyes rested on two empty chairs. One of them was Aerith's. I didn't know the woman, true, but I still felt a tight squeeze in my chest when I thought of her. The other chair was supposed to be Cloud's...but he chose (understandably so) to take dinner in his room.
I felt Riku shift uncomfortably next to me and glanced over at him. "You okay?" I murmured softly. He nodded.
"Fine."
"You don't look fine." I continued. He was looking kind of pale...
"She's right. You sure you aren't gonna get sick or something?" Sora spoke up, setting his fork down to focus more intently on Riku's face. I didn't like his suspicious tone.
"I'm fine. I think I just bit my tongue is all." Riku was considerably snappier toward Sora than he was to me. To prove he was fine, he took a big bite out of his garlic bread. Only he and Cloud chose to eat the garlic bread. I personally had a severe, vampire-like aversion to the stuff.
The silence fell upon us again. Sora picked up his fork but kept his eyes trained inconspicuously on Riku. I held the urge to scowl at him only because I was becoming friends with his girlfriend. She and I decided we would do kitchen duty for a while. To give Riaz a break. Riaz hadn't argued, but she'd given us some fairly nasty glares through the course of the night, and refused dinner politely.
Riku suddenly put his fork down and pushed his chair back. I looked over at him in alarm. "Riku? What's-"he shook his head at me sharply and I felt panic rising in my throat. Pictures of Aerith's corpse surfaced and my eyes threatened to tear up. Was Riku going to die?
'Calm down Jailyn! You don't even know what's wrong yet!' I yelled at myself. All eyes were on Riku.
"This isn't funny. Tell me what's wrong!" I demanded, pushing my chair back to meet his.
"There's nothing wrong." He said sharply. Before I could reply he was on his feet and out of the room.
"Should someone check on him?" Kairi asked softly after a long silence. I noticed that everyone was looking at his or her food very cautiously. "We cooked. There's nothing in the food." Kairi noticed their looks and was suddenly very defensive; though I could she had pushed her own food away.
Sora started to stand. "I'm going to find him-"
"No!" I said suddenly as I jumped to my feet. "I'll go instead." I knew I sounded scared and suspicious but I couldn't help it.
Sora looked at me hard. "I'm not the killer." He said very quietly, very dangerously. I blinked.
"I don't trust anyone right now but Riku." My voice was equally as low and stressed as his. He glared daggers but sat back down. Kairi patted his hand and murmured something indistinctly. I hurried out of the dining room, the tears burning behind my eyes now made their appearance, falling with the same slow pattern as the rain. Like Chinese water torture, one after the other.
I forced myself to stop, repeating to myself that it was nothing. That I would find Riku back to his old, even-tempered self. "Riku?" I called, reaching the second floor. There was no answer. I checked out room...nothing out of the ordinary. Our beds were still made...room was clean. No sign of him.
I turned to exit and bumped into something solid. My eyes traveled upward and met bright blue-green ones. "Riku!" I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God! I was so sure that you were dead or something had happened...why'd you run off like that? You scared me have to death! Why didn't you tell me-"
I suppose he grew tired of my ramblings because he took my by the shoulders and forced me to look him in the eyes. "I already told you. I am not going to die." He spoke firmly, his eyes searching mine. "Stop crying." He added. I reached up to cover my face. My cheeks were wet. I apologized; I knew how uncomfortable he got when I started getting emotional.
"I can't help it. I swear if you die and leave me here alone I'll bring you back to life and kill you myself." I pulled him into a death-grip hug. His response took a seconds, but he finally hugged me back. "What happened to you?" I asked. His right arm unwound from around my shoulders and slipped into his back pocket.
He carefully pushed me away and held something up between us. "I swallowed this at dinner." He said in a low voice. It took me a minute to recognize the piece of metal that was glinting in the overhead light. A small razor blade. My mouth ran dry.
"How? Wouldn't you realize it before you swallowed or..." I trailed off, staring at the razor but not touching it. Its sharp edges looked deadly to the touch. It was a miracle Riku was unharmed.
"I don't really know."
"Riku that...that should have...are you okay?" I started looking for cuts without realizing that if there WERE any wounds, they'd be inside.
"Yes I'm fine. I was lucky it didn't do a lot of damage. I though I'd bit my tongue..."
"Lucky. Ohmigod!" I gasped. "The others!"
{-----Yuffie-----}
"You don't think..." I trailed off, poking my pasta with my fork.
"He probably just wasn't feeling well." Sora said quietly in response. I continued to poke, not really hungry anymore.
"There wasn't anything in the food. I know because I made it." Kairi murmured. I didn't realize she had been watching me pick at my dinner. I looked up at her apologetically.
"I just lost my appetite that's all." She nodded and the quiet made its appearance again. It seemed like every time one of us wanted to talk, silence snatched away the oxygen, leaving us all breathless and mute. I glanced sideways at Squall. He hadn't said more than 5 words since dinner.
He saw me looking at him. "What." It sounded more like a statement then a question. I looked down.
"Nothing. Just thinking." I shrugged.
"STOP!" A yell shocked us all out of our trance. The dining room door burst open. "Stop! Don't eat anything!" Jailyn burst through and slid to a stop right behind Kairi's chair.
"Jailyn?! There's nothing wrong with-"Kairi exploded, looking ready to kill the next person that suspected her cooking.
Jailyn ignored her. "There's something in it. Razors. Someone put razors in the food." She was breathing hard and spoke in short, broken sentences. I choked and began to cough violently.
"Oh God, not you too!" She gasped, literally sprinting to my side.
"No." I managed to gasp. "I just...swallowed wrong." But everyone continued watching me nervously. I took a drink of my water, glad to breath again. I was strangely pleased to see Squall watching me with obvious concern. He cared.
"Razors?" Sora asked. He had been on his feet since the minute Jailyn appeared.
"Riku swallowed one." She answered.
Kairi gasped. "Is he okay?"
"He was really lucky...If he hadn't...it would have slit his throat....or at best dissolved the lining of his stomach..." She shook her head. "No one tasted anything funny?" She changed the subject very abruptly.
"No...where is Riku right now?" Sora demanded as he headed for the door.
"He's sick. I came to warn you guys, then go warn Cloud."
"I'm going with you." Sora said.
"Then I'm going too." Kairi immediately took Sora by the hand.
"I'll stay and search the rest of the food." I offered, taking my fork and mashing everything left on my plate.
"Squall? You staying?" Sora asked. I never looked up but I could feel his eyes on me.
"Yeah." He answered. I had to bite my lip to keep from smiling. The three walked out the door, Jailyn re-explaining everything.
"Nothing in my food." I said, moving onto the next one. Leon grunted in response. We went through everyone's pasta and there was nothing. Riku's plate held nothing also...except a piece of garlic bread. "Squall!" I gasped suddenly.
He dropped the plate he was holding and rushed around the table toward me. "What? Did you find one?"
"Riku was the only one with that bread!" I picked it up with two fingers and held it carefully.
"Not the only one..." Squall said thoughtfully. "That Cloud guy had one too." I realized the situation and dropped the bread to the table with a thud. I rushed around the table and ran out the door with quickness I'd never known I was able to achieve.
I was only half-way up the dark stairwell when I felt someone jerk me back down. I instantly thought of the killer and had a horrible feeling I'd just ran into a trap. "Don't ever run off like that again." A deep voice hissed in my ear.
I felt my knees nearly buckle I relief. "God you scared me." I whispered. Squall let my wrists go.
"Sorry. Just don't run off alone anywhere." He grumbled, walking ahead of me. I nodded and shakily followed.
{----Kairi----}
Oh...my God." I shut my eyes the second I reached the room.
"Damn." I heard Jailyn murmur. "He wasn't so lucky..." Even though I begged myself not to, I couldn't help opening my eyes.
"Cloud..." There was blood on the floor and bed, some on the doorknob. Cloud was sitting up against the wall, blood trickling down his chin. By some miracle his yes were closed.
"It must have slit his throat...but wouldn't he know something wasn't right while he was chewing?" Jailyn asked.
"Obviously not. Riku didn't know either." Sora answered, looking down on his older friend sadly.
"Can we help him?" I watched as Jailyn leaned down in front of him. Her eyes were so...I wasn't sure what it was, but she didn't seem phased by the horrible sight.
"No...we might have been able to if we could get him somewhere...I swear when I catch this son of a bitch..." I looked at Sora in shock. I'd heard him cuss before but I'd never heard his so...angry. Dangerous. What happened to the goofy, careless Sora?
"By now his stomach has been cut, his lungs probably bust form the liquid...what a horrible way to die." Jailyn muttered, looking up at me sorrowfully. So far I had found two dead bodies...both my friends.
"We need to get him out of here...get this room closed off." Sora said and Jailyn stood.
"I'll go find Squall to help." She said.
"And if Riku can handle it, get him too." Sora looked at me and added, "You go on. Stay with Jailyn alright?"
I shook my head. "I'm not leaving you." I said decidedly. Nothing would separate me from him now...especially not now.
"Please...I don't want you to see this." His tone went from mature and in control to soft pleading.
"Sora." I sighed, casting a glance at Cloud. My friend... "C'mon. We gotta get him outta here." I said to Jailyn and followed her out of the room. I guess I would leave Sora...
"What did you do to the food while I wasn't looking?" I snapped. Her eyes widened and she looked at me in shock.
"I didn't do AYNTHING! Why would I put anyone in that position? Why would I put Riku in that sort of danger?!" She bit her lip suddenly as though she wanted to keep from saying something. After a moment I answered.
"Well I didn't do it either."
"Oh for God's sake Kairi." Jailyn rolled her eyes. "I know you didn't do it. None of us did it. I know who the killer is. Its obvious isn't it? Riaz. Who else has the power...who else knows about this place?" Her words began to echo in my head...it seemed to make sense. I came to an abrupt stop almost running into...Riaz.
"What has happened?" she asked, her gray eyes looking concerned. I looked at Jailyn, unable to speak. She'd startled me, showing up like that just when I was blaming her for everything. Jailyn never batted an eye.
"Cloud's been killed. Someone put razors in the food." It surprised me how calm her voice was. Riaz look horrified.
"Is everyone else okay?" She asked, looking over her shoulder.
My companion nodded. "Sora could use some help though - it's the open door." She pointed and Raiz hurried away. Jailyn took a deep breath and shook her hands out. I giggled nervously. "C'mon." She said as she cast me a small smile.
{-----?----}
I watch as the red-head they all call Kairi pulls the warm bread out of the oven. Only Blondie and the silver haired one said they wanted some...perfect. Two birds with one...razor. I wait in the shadows, my eyes following every move the two girls make. My eyes are the only that on me that moves.
"Did you take the big bowl out there yet?" Kairi asks. The other, Island was it? She shakes her head.
"Will do." She picks up the bowl of pasta and heads into the dining room. Kairi follows with two glasses in her hands. This is my chance. I must hurry before Riaz...
{-----Still Kairi-----}
"This is serious. Two people are dead." Yuffie sat with her feet pulled under her. "And the murderer is still at large."
"The murderer is one of us." Jailyn said, looking at Riaz fleetingly.
"That's ridiculous." Yuffie said, shooting a questioning glance at Squall.
"Not so ridiculous, I mean if you look at the evidence." Sora said. I watched his eyes land on Riku. Riku's eyes met his and sparked.
"What're you accusing me of?" He demanded.
"Look at it. You suggested we stay...you suggested we didn't stick together...you left in the middle of dinner and suddenly we find Cloud dead. The signs point to you."
Riku looked at me, his eyes always seemed to be searching for something. "I wouldn't purposely hurt anyone." He began.
"And its stupid to even suggest that!" Jailyn butted in, her temper flaring to dangerous heights.
"Shut up! Remember what Yuffie said about looking suspicious." Sora warned.
"Well you're looking like a mighty fine candidate yourself. Placing the blame like that." Yuffie spoke up. Sora looked furious.
"I'd never kill Cloud or Aerith!" He exploded and jumped to his feet.
"STOP IT!" I yelled. Silence fell. "This isn't helping!"
"She's right." Squall said coolly and took all of us by surprise.
"Something has to be done though." Riku said. The constant rain fell against the windows. I really started to miss the sun. Would I ever get to see the sun again? Or would I be dead tonight?
"Its late...we're tired. Lets sleep on this and discuss it in the morning." Sora stood up and offered me his hand. I took it readily.
"Sleep sounds good." Jailyn said, looking over at Riku. Yuffie had her head in her hands, bent over her knees. I could see Squall watching her and I secretly smiled as he awkwardly reached over and patted her back.
Sora led me out of the room and up to our shared room, locking the door behind him. I sat on the bed with a heavy sigh as he checked all he windows and the re-checked the door. When he opened the closet I chuckled.
He glanced at me then closed the door. "Just checking." He smiled and sat down next to me. "So...are you alright?" He asked. I shrugged with my eyes on my hands. They were so small and pale...and shaking. Sora's gaze followed mine. "Kairi." He placed his own hand over mine.
"So...we are all going to die aren't we." I said quietly. Sora's answer was hesitant this time.
"Of course not. If we don't get out of here by tomorrow, I'm walking the 30 miles."
"Sora you can't! This killer will-"
"Why wait? At least I should try." He got to his feet so quickly it took me a second to realize he was up.
"Do you really think Riku is the killer?" I asked after a long pause. Sora shut his eyes and raised his face toward the ceiling.
"I don't know." I knew this conversation was over. The sad reality was beginning to sink in. Cloud and Aerith were dead. Aerith's death was hard enough but Cloud...my eyes filled but I refused to cry. It wasn't going to solve anything. It would only succeed in blotching out my face and give Sora something to comfort me about. Besides, Cloud wouldn't want me to be upset over him.
Now...now he was happy with Aerith. "Its just a horrible way to die." Sora muttered, sinking down to the floor.
I couldn't stop it anymore. The flood gates opened. "Damn it Sora I was going to be fine until you...had to say that." I sobbed, imitating Yuffie by putting my face to my knees.
'God...I'm sorry Kai." I heard him say in a soft, apologetic voice.
"Not. Not your fault." I mumbled, my breathing quick and choppy. "I'm sorry. I must be making you uncomfortable." I stood to leave. I could always stay in Yuffie's room.
"Don't go." Sora said quickly. "Come here. He held out his hand from his position on the floor. I took it after a moment of hesitation and allowed him to pull me down onto his lap.
"I'm too heavy." I protested. He laughed softly and shook his head.
"We're gonna get out of this Kairi." He said as I leaned against him. His heart was pounding awfully quickly. "I promise."
And I felt a sickening fear growing in the pit of my stomach. For the first time in my life, I didn't believe Sora.
{----Yuffie----}
"All I wanted was to see a concert. That's all." Yuffie murmured tiredly. Squall looked at her with a blank expression. He felt partly guilty that she was in this situation. After all, he had wrecked the car and killed her sister. "I mean, what did I do to deserve this? What did any of us do? I swear if God would get us out of this I would never go to another concert again."
"Yuffie, we're going to be fine. Its only a matter of time now...your parents and those other kid's parents will be searching for you." Squall said as he watched the drizzle. 'Now would be a perfect time to bolt.' He thought. He breathed heavily and brushed a long dark bang out of his face. "We should get some sleep. We're both tired." He said as he stood and Yuffie, though slowly, got to her feet along with him.
He watched his steps, keeping her in front of him so he could see her at all times. He paid special attention to the dark areas. He was halfway expecting someone to jump them right then.
He unlocked and opened the door for her and watched as she walked in. As she passed, he took note of her dull, red tinted eyes. It occurred to him she had been crying. Immediately he grew uncomfortable, wondering if he should say anything or just pretend not to notice.
Squall had experience with women so he knew how emotional they tended to get...he decided not to notice. Yuffie didn't bother to take off her clothes before crawling in to her bed. Squall slipped his shirt off and when he was sure she was burrowed safely under the covers and couldn't see him, he pulled off his jeans and quickly got under his own blankets.
Sure she'd seen a man in boxers before, but he still felt embarrassed around her. After all, it was close to illegal, her being a minor. When he thought he was safe, there was a small laugh.
"I could hear you frantically undressing. Don't worry, I'm not going to see anything." Her voice was muffled but Squall heard it loud and clear. He didn't answer so Yuffie didn't say anything else.
~*~
"Squall!" Yuffie jerked upright in her bed, breathing heavily. The dream faded from her mind despite her desperate attempt to keep it there. "Squall?" Yuffie called quietly in the dark. There was no answer. "Squall?!" Had he left? Had the killer gotten to him next? Was he laying dead, chopped up in the floor...was the killer sitting in the room now? Staring at her...waiting..."SQUALL!" She nearly yelled in panic.
There was a sudden and loud coughing noise and then a hoarse, "Yuffie?" Yuffie felt like bursting into tears from sheer relief. "Yuffie? What's wrong?" The voice drifted across the room. She could make out the outline of his body and flinched as the bright light came on. "Are you okay?" He asked, shielding the light with his hand.
As soon as Yuffie nodded he shut off the light, leaving them in total darkness again. Yuffie's heart began to pound. Something about the dark creeped her out. She opened her mouth to ask Squall to turn the light back one when she felt something touch her shoulder.
She shrieked and nearly fell out of the bed.
"Yuf, calm! Its just me." Squall said quickly. She tried to regulate her breathing as he sat on the bed next to her. Her eyes began to adjust to the lack of light. "What happened? Nightmare?"
"Mmhmm." She answered, still jumpy. She felt him pull her comforter back and then crawl under them with her. "What-What are you doing?" Yuffie demanded nervously.
He paused. "I was going to stay here until you went back to sleep. Is that okay?" He asked coolly. When Yuffie didn't answer he laughed under his breath and crawled instead on top of the covers. "Fine. This better?" He asked and Yuffie nodded.
After all, he still WAS 21...and a guy. When she relaxed enough to drift back to sleep, she put her arm over Squall's side and found his hand. She squeezed it and murmured,
"Thanks Squall." She never got to hear his answer.
{---Jailyn----}
It couldn't have been any more silent in the room if it was empty. Hollow, stupid quiet. I missed the noise and traffic of the city. The bland house and gray scenery was really beginning to take its toll on us. Not to mention the terrible deaths floating over our heads.
My silver haired companion sat propped up against the wall on the floor nearest the window. His aqua eyes were trained blankly on me. I was returning his unoccupied stare, just as deep in thought as he was.
Thunder rumbled distantly, reminding me that time hadn't stopped. My mother used to tell me thunder was God bowling and every time he got a strike, there was lighting. I was young and scared and the thought always seemed to calm me down.
Nowadays I didn't fully believe it but deep down I still pictured God's bowling alley and I rarely grew afraid of storms. That thought couldn't comfort me now. God's entertainment had forced us all here, to await possible death. His will? Probably.
Still, I wished more than anything I didn't have to face all of this. It was too much...I was too young to die. I had my whole life waiting for me...I wanted to marry, have kids, a career...I wanted to stay with Riku.
'When did I fall for Riku?' I asked myself, studying his face. I had liked him all along I guessed. It would explain my blind jealousy when he dated other girls...and my need to stand up for him when he was perfectly capable himself. But what about Riku?
His feelings were probably not as...friendly as mine. Sure when he blushed and murmured that stuff about being glad it wasn't me, my heart jumped a mile and a half. Knowing Riku, his feelings were probably strictly platonic. Very unfortunately.
"What're you thinking?" Riku's voice snapped me out of my thoughts and put me back on the bed. I focused my eyes on Riku's calculating green ones and smiled.
"About the thunder." I replied easily. "What about you?"
He shifted and let his head fall back against the wall. "Nothing. And everything." He answered.
"That helps." I grumbled sarcastically but smiled anyway. He smirked.
"Well what're your thought on this issue." He asked, bringing his eyes back to my face. I hesitated.
"I don't really know. I'm terrified, obviously, but-"
"Terrified of what?" Riku interrupted looking intently at me. I gave him a strange look.
"You've been acting really weird lately. Anything you wanna talk about"
"What are you terrified off?" Riku ignored my question and pushed his own. I shrugged, growing uncomfortable.
"That we're all gonna die...that I'm gonna die..." I laughed quietly and shook my head. "I'm even more afraid YOU are gonna die."
Riku rolled his eyes. "I already told you-"
"Riku! It can happen! Look at dinner tonight! Look at cloud and Aerith!" I lowered my voice quickly and forced myself to calm down. "Do you realize how incredibly lucky you are? That should've killed you."
"But it didn't! Its over and done. We move on with life instead of talking about what COULD have been!" He snapped and I recoiled.
"What's the matter with you? You never used to snap at me like you have been." I asked quietly. Riku looked as though he regretted his words.
"I've got a lot on my mind. That's all."
"Then tell me about it." I said, abandoning my position and sinking down to the floor next to him. He glanced at me briefly and shook his head.
"I don't need to talk about it." He answered.
"Please? I wanna know what you're thinking." I pressed, poking his forearm.
"Ow. You have nails, not fair." He complained. I grinned and flashed my claws at him threateningly.
"Now. Tell me!" I pressed. I could tell his resolve was weakening because he sighed again and looked me in the eyes.
"I promise, I wasn't thinking about anything that mattered." He said slowly, but firmly. I gave him a look but didn't say anything else. I didn't want to push him tonight too hard after his earlier ordeal. I dropped my gaze to the floor. "So what were you thinking about. Really." He asked. To admit to him that I was falling for him would be the death of me, so I shrugged.
"Honestly? Thunder. Thinking about my mom..." I added a soft 'and you' at the end . I hadn't expected him to hear, but I'd obviously underestimated him.
"And who? Me?" Damn it. Now he was looking at me all serious with those eyes and...
"Yeah." I kept my eyes cast downward, avoiding his questioning look.
"Well...umn. Good thinking or bad thinking?"
"Neither. Just...you. Don't get your ego all puffed up just yet." I stared to stand.
'Now hold on, I wanna know." He clasped his hand firmly around my wrist and held me in place. I sank back down next to him.
"I was just thinking about you. It wasn't anything-"I looked at him. I might as well have told him, in case I was killed or he was killed. I'd hate myself if I never let him know...He must have sensed my giving up because he smiled. 'God.' I thought. 'He's so...' I flushed under his intense gaze. "Fine. I hate you, you know that? Makin me all nervous." I grumbled. "I don't know...I was thinking about us."
"The possibility of us?" He asked. I was so surprised by his answer that it took a second to regroup my thoughts.
"Yeah. The possibility of us." I repeated. He chuckled.
"And?"
"I think...its possible that maybe there is something between us."
"What kind of-"
"WHAT is with the questions? Are you a damn therapist?!" I demanded. He laughed and I blushed again. "Sorry." I murmured. The silence that followed was the best silence I'd run into yet.
An idea popped into my head and after a minute of arguing with myself, I decided to go for it. I leaned over and kissed him. When I pulled away I explained, "I didn't want that to be the one regret...if anything happened." Judging by the grin on his face I could tell he didn't mind.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The young woman walks out of the bedroom and yawns sleepily. Good...she will be unsuspecting. I stalk behind her stealthy but she doesn't notice I'm here. Oh but I am here. I finger the scratchy rope, feeling it's rough, coarse length.
Thick...strong...deadly. I have lost my concentration and let myself slip...she turns and looks behind her. She looks oddly like a deer caught in the headlights. I like it. Fear. It's why I do it. People love to be scared right? I just love to be the bump in the night.
She goes into the bathroom and locks the door...I wait. In position, I ready the rope, pulling it taut against my thigh. It wont be long now...they'll all be gone by the end of the week...and the new batch will come in.
I wasn't going to kill this one yet...I liked her. She was a very nice girl that was true. But she suspects. And I can't let her suspect. There's no reason for her to have been trying to butter me up, she knows.
The doorknob turns and I stop breathing, ready to strike. The door opens and she sees me. Her eyes widen as she says my name. Her eyes find the rope. I smile as she understands. Calmly she says, "I knew it."
"Sorry dear." I answer coolly. I am proud of her. She takes her death like a real soldier. The only thing I wish she hadn't said was,
"Have fun in hell."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TBC
Please, don't be mad over the killing of Cloud. I know I'm going to lose some readers when I really start this stuff. Two others die in the next chapter. One couple lives...Muwhaha. You know you wanna know.
I kinda left you at a cliffie during the last Squall/Yuffie POV didn't I...Evil laughter. MUWHAHA!
I noticed I kept going back and forth between Squall and Leon in the last few chapters...He shall henceforth be known as Squall. :D I really scared myself with that last part...I had no idea I could seem so evil. Don't worry, I'm not really that deranged...I think.
To show I'm not so evil...I'll let you know that in each chapter, there is a single, continuous hint that you really probably wouldn't get unless you could read my mind. Mwuaha.
***
Pingpong867 – I'm sorry!!! OMG am I sorry but I had to do it! I didn't want to kill Cloud but...*sigh* I'm a freak. Sorryness! OH and thanks so much fer the review!!
Deplora – Hehe yes I couldn't stand to see Cloud suffer. And um..as for Squall/Yuffie...hehe. I don't want to give it away!!! *Whine* I hate this! Thank you for taking the time to review, it means so much.
Shinobu – I do plan to continue it. I've realized that even though I'm addicted to reviews, I still love to write...and I should write w/or w/out reviews! Right? Yep. So this story will continue...muwhaha.
Kingdom*Hearts309 – FF ID? ^_^ Yes there are two me. I created this name when I was bored (amunetmoon) but decided to revert back to my original name. I just...am Annjirika. It's me. I can't be anyone else. Heh...please don't stop reading...later on. NOT THAT THEY are gonna die...er...ahem. Muwhaha.
Regno Cuore - Hehe, Riaz WILL die...possibly...I will give you that much...I have the entire thing planned out perfectly. Unless some huge inspiration hits and changes the course...I know what's gonna happen. Tee-hee.
Greyspark – I'm NOT GONNA STOP!!! Hehe, no worries. I have to finish this to the end. Your review made me laugh, thanks!!