Chapter Thirteen: Promise Me
Squall wandered the west side of the Zamir. The houses were small and identical. The stones showed signs of erosion, and some of the walls looked ready to crumble. This part of the city was in poor shape, but the people who lived here were just glad to have a place to come home to at night.
Squall made sure to walk lightly through the empty streets. Everyone was asleep—they deserved the rest after a hard days labor. The windows of the one-story houses were shadows, except for one. Squall could see a candle burning in a house just a dozen feet ahead of him.
A tattered blanket hung in the entrance in the place of a door. The fabric was worn so much that the light of the candle inside could be seen through the threads. It was just one of the daily sights that showed the poverty of the people.
It showed Squall that someone was still awake, waiting for someone—for him.
Squall paused in front of the torn blanket. He took a deep breath to calm himself and put on an impassive expression. He pushed the blanket aside and entered.
A candle was burning on the table. The wax was nearly gone leaving but a small wick in its place. A small figure was slumped over the table in slumber. Squall smiled at the girl he recognized to be Selphie. She must have fallen asleep while waiting for him. Selphie would always stay up to make sure everyone made it home safe.
In the corner, Squall could hear the snoring of his other friend, Zell. The blonde was stretched out on his bed without a care in the world.
Squall crept quietly towards his own bed. He picked up his blanket; nothing more than a thin sheet. Carefully he went back over to the table. Squall gently laid the blanket over Selphie's shoulders. He noticed her hand on the table that was gripping a sewing needle.
That's an accident waiting to happen.
Squall picked the needle out of her grasp. Suddenly the girl jumped to life—nearly knocking over her chair in the process. She blinked wildly up at Squall until she recognized him. A broad smile lit up her face.
"You're home! I was worried about you—" She latched her arms around his neck in a brief glomping hug. Selphie detached herself just as quickly knowing Squall didn't like to be touched. She looked him over a few times to make sure he was well. It was then she noticed the clothes he was wearing, "They took you to the palace again? What for this time?"
Squall looked down at his garments. A frown tugged at the corners of his lips. He couldn't say the truth, but he felt bad to lie to her. "Nothing important."
"They let you go again?" She tilted her head questionably.
Squall smirked bitterly, "It seems this scar makes me clash with their rooms of silk and marble."
Selphie stared at him for a moment. She didn't seem to find what he said amusing. In fact she looked rather confused. Her brown eyes were dull, and then suddenly sparkled, "Oh! I made you something while I was waiting. Its—"
She frantically looked around the room. She searched the tabletop, picking up a small ball of green thread. "It was right here, I swear."
Squall's eyebrows drew together in curiosity. He set the needle down on the wooden table and watched as the girl got down on her hands and knees then began searching the floor. She crawled under the table, mumbling to herself.
"Aha!" She shouted while rising. Her head bumped against the underside of the table. Selphie cried out again but this time in pain. She crawled out from under the table and climbed to her feet to stand before Squall. "Hold out your hands!"
Squall lightly shook his head at the girl. She was so innocent in her child-like mannerisms. Sometimes Squall wondered if she even knew that she was a slave. After giving her a hard look—in which she refused to drop her game—Squall complied by putting both his hands out.
Selphie smiled happily, "I've noticed that you've been acting kind of mopey since you last came back from the palace. So I made you this—"
A round yellow object was dropped into his awaiting hands. Squall lifted it to eye level to be examined.
"—It's one of those.. those—oh what were they called? Zell?" Selphie looked towards the slumbering blonde who only snored in response. Selphie huffed then seized the thread ball off the table and threw it accurately at Zell's side. "Get up you lazy sack of bones!"
Zell stirred but Squall was no longer paying attention, he was turning the gift over in his hands. It was a small doll—but not of a person; this was of a chocobo. It was made of a dull yellow fabric with orange strings for legs. Squall rubbed his thumb over one of the chocobo's eyes, which was nothing more than green thread sewn into the yellow.
It was a very thoughtful gift. Squall use to tell Selphie and Zell about the large intelligent birds that lived where he came from. He had wondered why they don't have chocobos in or around Zamir when he first came. He had drawn one in the sand to show his friends, but they had laughed saying it looked like an oversized chicken.
Selphie was at his side once more. She looked hopefully up at his blank expression, "Do you like it?"
Squall stared at the faded gold peaked with emerald thread for eyes. It was vaguely familiar. He opened his mouth to answer but his attention was drawn to Zell who had stumbled out of his bed. The blond was looking irate from being awakened. "What? I'm up. What for?"
"Ooh, you're such a grouch Zell," Selphie wrinkled her noise at the blonde. She then pointed to the doll perched in Squall's hands. "Do you remember what those were called?"
Zell's vibrant blue eyes glanced towards the object, "A chicken."
"Noo! Don't you remember what those things were that Squall told us about? The big birds that you could ride and there were different kinds.." She trailed off with a thoughtful frown.
"Oh yeah. Chobos or something," Zell mumbled before yawning.
"Yes! Chobo—" Selphie turned back to Squall once again grinning madly. "This one is a gold chobo, the best kind, just like for you."
Squall weakly smiled at the beaming girl. She had taken some pride in the gift. It was great of her to remember something that he said, even if she called them by the wrong name. Selphie was a wonderful person, albeit over eager and protective at times.
"Do you like it?" Selphie asked a second time while latching to his arm.
Squall glanced again at the gold with green. The blonde and jade. Squall frowned at the sudden remembrance. Selphie saw his change in express. She frowned alongside him, "Did I do something wrong..?"
Gray eyes glanced at the honey brown brimming with held back tears. Obviously his acceptance of this doll meant more to her than Squall thought. Of course he liked the idea of the gift—he just wasn't sure if he liked what the colors reminded him of.
Dull yellow, like the sandy blonde hair of a certain prince. Green threads that matched well, just like his intense jade orbs. Even the very idea of the doll—Gold, a chocobo greater than all the others. Gold, the color for royalty.
Why am I thinking about him..
'Maybe because he saved your pathetic hide for no reason' The back of Squall's mind muttered in response.
"Squall?" Selphie quietly called him out of his internal thoughts. "..Do you not like it?"
"It reminds me of Seifer.." Squall absently said when he had actually meant to say 'Yes'.
The doll was snatched out of his hands, breaking his stare of the familiar colors. Selphie was now hiding the object from his sight. "I'm sorry Squall, I didn't realize.." She bit her lower lip to keep the tears from spilling over her cheeks. She was an emotional person; Selphie knew this but couldn't help but be upset. "I'll make a new on. It'll be a black—that was a good one too, right?"
"That Seifer," Zell spoke the name with obvious distaste. He shadowboxed for a moment, pretending the prince was standing before him. "If he didn't have those guards around him kissing his feet all the time, I'd teach him for calling me a chicken."
Squall felt oddly upset at the short blonde. He watched the other throw a few fast punches at the invisible target. Zell dropped his hands then grinned at Squall, "I'd beat him into a bloody pulp for hurting you."
"Don't bother," Squall blurted out without thinking. His words sounded angry, causing Zell to step back in bewilderment. It wasn't that Squall doubted Zell's melee skills. It was just hat the task of dealing with Seifer was going to be Squall's—no one else would have the pleasure.
Selphie piped up in order to try and lighten the mood, "He didn't mean it like that Zell. Squall is only tired from—"
"Oh, forget it Selphie," Zell groaned while sitting himself at the sole table of the room. He crossed his arms and used them as a pillow against the rough wood. "Don't' spoil him any further."
Squall narrowed his eyes at the comment. Selphie didn't seem to comprehend what Zell said, but Squall knew full well what the blonde meant. It seemed his own friend was making fun of him. Damnit! It wasn't like Squall wanted to go to the palace, he had no choice!
Squall turned his back and stalked to the far end of the room where his small bed was tucked in the corner. He laid down on the thin sheets and turned himself to face the wall. He didn't have to tolerate that kind of treatment from his own friend.
"Hey! What's going on? What did I miss?" Selphie glanced from Squall's back to the half-asleep Zell.
"He's just pouting because he can't get what he wants like he did at the palace," The blonde mused but his voice held bitterness.
Squall glared at the stonewall. How could Zell say such a thing? Was he just being like this because they woke him up?
"What are you talking about Zell? They hurt him! Do you think he wanted to be hurt?" Selphie argued. It had been her that had cleaned Squall up after he stumbled home late that night after Seifer had attacked him. Selphie had washed away the dark blood and rubbed salve over the cut to prevent infection.
It was only natural for her to stand up on Squall's behalf, although he never would bother to put in the effort. He wasn't worth anyone's time. Apparently Selphie was not convinced of that.
"Honestly Zell, how can you say such a thing?" Selphie inquired for a reason.
"Selph! You and I both can tell that he's been different since he came back—"
Yes, just talk about me like I'm not here.
"—He's like more depressed than he was before, it's probably because here we don't spoil him like they do at the palace. Squall's not happy with having us as friends, we're just slaves living in a dirty one room house," Zell finished with a sidelong glanced at Squall's back.
So that was it. Zell was just feeling sorry for himself. Well, he could keep bellyaching, Squall wanted nothing to do with it. He had his own problems to deal with. Now that Rinoa had learned that he was sorcerer, it was only time before she found out the rest of his secrets.
Not if we get ride of 'it'.
Squall curled his arms around his chest and frowned. I can't though, I promised I would always keep it with me.
Despite his thoughts, Squall reached out with one hand and quietly reached under his mattress. He could hear Selphie and Zell arguing, but their voices were like leaves of a tree stirring in the wind—noise that was ignored.
Fingers curled around a jagged, yet dull metal object. Squall pulled it out, watching as a silver chain dangled from his fisted hand. Drawing it close to his face, Squall opened his hand to observe the ornament. It looked like a cross, except the top was shaped into a beast's head. The creature was frozen in a defiant roar. Squall ran his thumb over the worn metal, remembering…
//--- It was late at night. Squall knew he shouldn't of been out; the rain was coming down hard, he could barely see his hand in front of his rain soaked face. But he had to see her; just one more time. Squall had to make her understand that what he was doing was the right choice.
Thunder boomed in the distance. Squall looked at the vine covered wall inches away. Tilted his head back, he could see a small balcony. Thin curtains flapped wildly with the storms rampaging wind. A faint aura of light from an oil lamp could be seen.
She had always been afraid of the storms. Maybe that was the real reason he was here below her balcony—to comfort her from those childish fears.
Squall grabbed ahold the tough vines and climbed up the wall like he had done so many times before. He went far enough so that he could grab the stone rails of the balcony. The rain was blinding him, making his ascent slippery but he managed to pull himself over the side and onto the safe solid landing. He just stood there, soaked to the bone but blissfully ignorant of the biting cold.
"Squall.."
He looked to the voice, a slender woman was staring quietly from the other side of the curtains. Short brown hair framed her face that wore an expression of familiar calmness. Her gray eyes held all the emotion—a deep sadness that tore at Squall's heart.
"I thought you would have left by now.." she softly spoke while pulling her clasped hands close to her chest.
Squall looked off to the side in silent answer. He couldn't leave without saying goodbye. The young woman understood his silence. She moved closer to the curtain all the while never letting her eyes leave Squall's face. "I'm glad you came, this one last time."
Squall turned his blue-gray eyes back to the other. He noticed she had broken eye contact and was gazing down at her hands. Silver glinted in the lamplight. Squall eyed the thin chain that dangled from between her fingers.
She was aware of his gaze. She opened her hands to reveal the pedant. A jagged cross with a lion's head roaring at the top portion. "I want you to have this Squall.."
"Sis," Squall tried to protest. It wasn't right for him to take the gift she offered. What she held was a necklace that had been passed down from generations—from mother to daughter. It was given to those who were destined to be sorcerers/sorceresses. Squall was no such person. It wasn't right.
"No, take it," She argued; not sternly, but with a voice full of sorrow. She stepped out into the rain to join Squall. The rain began to soak through her clothes at once. "Not to remember this place, or the wrong that is being done. I just want you to remember me.."
She held out the silver while fixing her gray eyes on Squall's impassive expression. She looked defiant, even though the rain was pelting down on her exposed skin. He couldn't refuse. Reluctantly Squall stretched out his own hand—she took it in both of hers with the necklace in between. "I just want to know that wherever you go that I can still be with you in some way.. Promise me you will always keep it with you."
Her gently pleading eyes were locked with his. Squall sighed, "I can't—"
"You can, and you will," She firmly stated in a soft voice to cut off his argument. Her hands dropped away from his, leaving the necklace to lie in his palm. Raindrops splattered against the smooth metal. Squall frowned then slipped the necklace on to appease the young woman. Quickly he tucked it under his shirt to remove it from sight. The uneven cross felt oddly warm against the skin of his chest.
The girl finally retreated back behind the curtains, out of the cold rain, "Promise me Squall."
He placed a hand over the bump in his shirt. A strange energy was creeping into his body, whatever it was, Squall ignored the sensation. "..I promise."
She smiled happily, yet her eyes looked tired—still filled with the grief. Tears were threatening to fall from the corners of her eyes, or maybe it was just the rain; Squall couldn't tell.
"I have to go—" He started but trailed off when the woman nodded her head in agreement.
"I know you do," She hugged her arms around her chest and shivered with the storm. "I just don't want you to go."
It was time to leave. Squall turned to the balcony's edge where he could climb down. As he moved over the railing and began his decent, the woman suddenly appeared at the balcony's edge.
"Always keep him with you, he will protect you. Listen to me Squall, Griever will always watch over you," She called out through the storm. Tears ran down her cheeks. There was just a way he could tell she was crying; there was just that difference to how a tear fell and how a raindrop fell. ---//
"Zell, you're suppose to be his friend," Selphie's angry tone brought Squall out of his flashback.
"How can I be that when he won't be my friend. All he does is ignore me when I talk to him!"
Squall frowned at the words. He fisted his hand around the lion cross. He wasn't a good friend, he knew that. He also couldn't keep promises either. It was stupid of him to make such a promise to her—Squall knew that he had made that promise just to make her happy. In the end he just broke his word. He never kept the necklace with him. Squall had always hid the object. Could he really be blamed? If he wore it then a guard or a thief would quickly snatch it away from him. But Squall also did it on purpose. This item that was given to him was enchanted—every since the first day he wore the necklace it had felt like something had possessed him. Squall had become aware of the magical energy in the world. Worse yet, Squall found that he could even control it.
All because of the necklace. Everything was because of the silver lion that roared against the inside of his palm. This cross was the cause to the problem in the palace. It was one of the reasons Squall had fled from home. It cursed him with abilities he should not have.
It was time to end it all.
I'm sorry Sis, I just can't keep it with me anymore, Squall stood from his bed and marched past Selphie and Zell without so much as a glance. The duo stopped arguing at once to stare at the brunet.
"W-wait, where are you going?" Selphie voice spoke up.
Squall paused at the door. He thought of a few lies he could spin, but in the end he just cast a blank look at the small woman. Squall then turned and disappeared through the door. As he moved down the empty street he could still hear the other two.
"Look at what you did Zell!" Selphie shout was soon followed by the unmistakable sound of her hand hitting the side of Zell's head.
"Ow, I didn't mean—I'm sorry—Ow!"
Their voices died away as Squall put more distance between himself and his caretakers. Sometimes he believed that the gods were truly against him. Somehow they had found the two most obnoxious people, stuck them into a room together, then they had placed Squall right into the middle of it all as some kind of cruel joke.
But he wouldn't have it any other way. That's why he was out in the cold of night with the necklace fisted tightly in his right hand. He would rid himself of the cursed necklace. He would throw it down the well and it would be all over. The magic, the paranoia, Rinoa—it was all going to stop. Once he got rid of the necklace, the sorcerer powers that were bestowed upon him would disappear.
Then and only then would Squall feel the serenity of freedom. Maybe he could even find it in himself to be friendlier with Zell, since he wouldn't have anything to hide then. Squall didn't want to be by himself anymore; always paranoid about what laid around every corner. He was tired of having to hide.
I'm sorry. I don't know what else to do..
End Chapter