Chapter 2: Swimming for death

I ran, my light blue silk nightie flowing over my skin like water as I ran. I didn't know where I was running to. I was trying to run away from myself. The Garden was empty; like a graveyard at night. And I was darn glad of it.

Down the corridors that swirled up around me, closing me in like I was in a cage. I ran into the centre of the garden. Everything was pain, I had to get away, and I had to do something. Coldness, freezing coldness, and then nothing; my world was no more.

"Quistis…oh God no, Quistis stay with me, you've got to fight." The voice was so far away.

I tried to grip to it but I didn't understand what they were saying. I was numb with everything. I wanted to open my eyes but couldn't. It was like someone had glued them shut. I just lay there. My chest was aching with pain and I found it hard to breathe. I opened my eyes slowly. Through the slits of them it was hard to make anything out. It was blurry out there. Someone was holding me, rocking me gently back and forwards. I slowly opened my eyes. They had dark brown hair and a leather jacket on. I started shivering.

"She's coming around, Squall." The voice came from over head. The person pulled back and looked at me, still holding me in his arms.

"Oh Quistis… you scared the hell out of me." He said. His eyes were wet from tears. Why was he crying? I was shivering uncontrollably; I felt like I would never get warm. He slowly took off his jacket, making sure he still supported my back, and draped the jacket round my shoulders. Why was I so cold? I looked down; I was just wearing a nightie? Why was I dressed in a wet nightie? It had gone a bit see-through, but I was too tired to care. I suddenly realised how exhausted I was, I needed to sleep. I started to close my eyes.

"We're losing her again, Squall!" A voice called.

I smiled. Squall; if I had a pet squirrel I'd call it Squall. I started to ask him if he was my pet squirrel but my question died on my lips.

Brightness was beyond my lashes and I opened them and my eyes were filled with a golden light. I stared up at the white roof. Where was I?

"Oh Quistis; good to see you're finally with us." A jolly voice filled my ears as the Nurse came in. She picked up a phone and quickly dialled. "Squall, she's awake."

"I'm in the sick bay." I stated.

"Yes, you are." Nurse said coming to my side. "How do you feel?"

"Okay… I guess. Why am I here?" I asked. She blushed.

"I'll let Squall answer that one."

Just then Squall came in the room. He had obviously just been running as his face was flushed.

"Thank you, Nurse Kadowaki, you really are the best Nurse our school could ask for." Squall said to Nurse Kadowaki before turning towards me.

"I'll leave you two alone; you have much to catch up on." She smiled and left the room.

Squall came over and sat on the edge of my bed.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"How should I feel? Squall, Nurse Kadowaki wouldn't tell me what happened."

Squall sighed and paused for a moment. "Y-You we were um…coming back from dinner and we were mucking around and I accidentally pushed you in the water." He looked at the ground as he said it.

"Are you serious? I don't remember going to dinner with you. And anyway, I can swim." I said this all matter-of-factly. Squall took a while to answer.

"Y-You bumped your head on the railing."

"Oh. How long have I been out?"

"Two days." Squall said. "And I'm glad you're back." He hugged me, running his hands along my back.

"Is Rinoa back yet?"

His body stiffened with the question.

"Yes. She came back yesterday."

"You must be happy; I bet you missed her heaps." I said smiling at him.

He just nodded before he got up and left.