Disclaimer: I wish I owned FF7, or at least Cloud's Buster Blade.but I
don't
Author's note: Yes, I'm working on this story again. It's still pretty
slow so far, but I promise the next chapter will be much more exciting.
Bear with me as the real plot begins to unfold.
Oh, and the brackets signify Cloud talking to himself.in his mind.it's hard
to explain.
~z_lancer
I blinked once, then again. The vision was blurry, a swirl of white. I shut my eyes. [Ugh. Ow.] I flinched as I felt the sore spot on the back of my head. The swollen place throbbed with pain. I laid my head back on the pillow. [Better.] My arms and legs ached. I moved my fingers to try and relieve the pain in my upper arms. The digits brushed against some kind of soft material. I lifted my right hand from the sheets to rub the sleep from my eyes. [Wait. Pillow, sheets.a bed?] I forced my eyes open.
[A white ceiling. Light? Day? It is morning? Where am I?] I sat up. The tenderness in the back of my head stung as the blood rushed away from it. I flinched and lay back down. [How?] I looked around. I was in a small room.[no wait, why does the wall have creases in it?] There was a long, blue curtain in place of a wall on the left of the bedside. The door was out of view. The morning sunlight streamed in through the windows above my head, and the right-hand wall. [Hospital. I'm in a hospital bed.] I struggled to get my thoughts straight. [What the hell happened? How did I get here?]
Suddenly the curtain was drawn to the side. A woman in a white uniform drew the blue sheet back all the way, revealing a whole row of other sleeping forms. She let out a deep sigh, and continued to the sink not far from my bedside.
"Hello?" I said, a little unsure of what was going on. The nurse froze with a sharp intake of breath. She twirled around and looked at me.
"Oh hello," she recovered quickly. Her golden hair was wrapped in a bun on the back of her head. A few loose strands fell across her face. She was young, I could tell, but the dark circles that have formed under her blue eyes made her look five years older than she probably was. [Lack of sleep. I should know. I look like I've risen from the grave.] "I thought you were still sleeping," she said. "I was."
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No, no, it was just coincidence that you came just as I woke up."
"I'm glad," there was something.sad in her voice.
"Where am I?" I asked. She studied me as if she thought I was playing some kind of childish trick.
"Peersol Hospital," she answered.
"How did I get here?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "Here, let me check your condition status." The nurse walked over to the foot of the bed and took up the clipboard attached to its outer edge.
"It says here that.Hmm. You're the one that came in last night.or rather very early in the morning," she scrutinized the piece of paper on it, "Minor concussion. A hard jolt to the back of the head. The doctors hadn't expected you to regain consciousness for at least another day -" "Much less up and around," she said as I pulled the sheets off my body and slid my legs off the side of the bed. I got off the bed and stood up suddenly. [Bad idea.] I felt the blood drain from my head. My vision began to blur again, and I could feel my legs begin to buckle underneath me. I faintly heard a cry and the sound of a clipboard clatter to the ground. I began to fall. I was stopped by something. Someone was holding me. My vision began to clear up, and I could see the nurse struggling to keep me up. With her arms under mine, she helped me back onto the bed. I've never felt so weak.have I? "Don't try to stand," she chastised, "You need to lay down and rest." "I'm fine," I lied, but the weakness in my voice told her the truth. "Stay right here," she said, "I'll be right back." I nodded.at least I thought I did, and closed my eyes.
I blinked. There was a shadow over my face. "He's waking," it was a man's voice. "Wh.Who?" I heard myself say. I rubbed my eyes.
"How are you feeling my friend?" said the same voice. I opened my eyes. A dark skinned man dressed in white stood over me.
"Who are you?"
"I am Dr. Castel," said the man. His voice was accented. Del Solian? "How are you feeling?" he asked again. "Groggy." "How about the head pains?" I felt the back of my head. The bump was still there, but the pain had lessened considerably.
"Better," I replied.
"Good. I gave you a weak anesthetic shot. Had I known you were going to wake so soon, I would have administered it sooner. Tell me. What is your name?'
"Cloud Strife."
"Okay, so you do remember your name. Do you feel any memory loss? Any blank spots in your mind that you can't explain?"
"Not really. Yesterday just seems a little blurry," I lied about that part. I really didn't want to start any explanations."
"Good. No long-term memory loss. I'm sure everything you did yesterday will become quite clear in a little while. Can you stand?"
"I'll try." I sat up slowly, remembering what happened when I got up too fast. Hmm. No blood-rush this time. I moved my feet off the side of the bed. The doctor took one of my arms and someone else took the other. I looked to see who it was. It was the nurse from before. She smiled at me. I hadn't noticed her when she was off to the side. Together, they helped hoist me up to my feet. I felt like a helpless child.
"You can let go. I can stand up fine by myself," I said. The both of them loosened their grip. I stood up straight without falling, without wobbling.
"Take a step forward," said the doctor. I did.
"Do you feel anything strange? Any dizziness, nausea?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Good. Now walk to the other side of the bed." I complied.
"I feel fine," I said before he had the chance to ask me the question again.
"Good. It's remarkable how fast you've recovered. I didn't believe Miss Gardner here at first when she told me that you had regained consciousness. But, here you are. Remarkable. Well Mr. Strife, now that I've finished my examination and concluded that you're fully recovered, I will just sign your release forms, and you can be on your way. Now, I will leave you in the very capable hands of Nurse Gardner. If you'll excuse me," the doctor gave a little bow and left the room. I stretched my limbs, making sure they were all in tact. The hospital garb was a little uncomfortable around the neckline. There was also something wrapped around my wrist. I brought up my hand to look at it. It was a tag. Patient number 1229855, it said. "Well, if you're ready to go, we can go get your belongings," said the nurse. A low, growl came from my stomach. I gave her an embarrassed smile. ".But first, let's get you something to eat."
"Cloud Strife. Where have I heard that name before?" asked the nurse while I took a bite out of the sandwich she brought me from the kitchen. There was also a hot bowl of vegetable soup, and glass of milk on the tray. It reminded me instantly of how hungry I was. "I was on the news last week. Maybe you heard about me helping with that big drug-bust in the Kalm area," I said thoughtfully. "You're that bounty hunter," she smiled mysteriously. "I prefer 'soldier of fortune,' but it doesn't really matter." "What's it like being a 'soldier for hire?'" "Huh?" "You know, you get to travel the world, see all sorts of places and people. Must be exciting." Exciting? I thought about this for a moment. It was an exciting, high- adrenaline life style - when there was a job to be done anyway. The downtime in between was kind of.lonely. [This is the life you chose Cloud. The solitude will help you find yourself.]
"Yeah," I answered, both to her and myself. [I'm too mentally unstable to be with others anyway.]
"I'd give anything for a chance to travel, unrestricted," she sighed.
"Why don't you?"
"Some of us just aren't lucky I guess," there was sadness in her voice. I sensed that she didn't want to reveal anything deeper. I didn't pursue the topic.
After I had finished my meal, the nurse left the room then came back with a wheelchair a few moments later.
"What's that for?" I asked, already guessing its purpose.
"Sit, I'm going to take you to get your clothes."
"Can't I save you the trouble and just walk? It's not like my legs are broken or anything."
"It's hospital procedure that all patients be escorted throughout the building in these wheelchairs," she answered, "And don't ask me why because I won't pretend I know."
"Fair enough." The hallways were so busy. Everyone seemed to have something to do. [ I never want to work in a place like this. Everything's to close together. Too much of the same thing over and over.] A question suddenly struck me.
"How long have I been unconscious?" I asked the nurse. She arched an eyebrow, and her lips pursed together as she tried to recall the time.
"Well, according to the record, you came in at about 4:13 this morning. You woke up for a few minutes at ten - scared me half to death when I came back with the doctor and you were unconscious - then slept for another hour. So, About seven hours." [Seven hours?] It's the longest I've slept this week. [Looks like I gotta get the shit kicked out of me just to get some sleep.] I was lucky someone had come to pick me off the street.
"Did you see who brought me in?"
"Sorry, I came in at around six, so I don't know."
"It's okay. Though I would've liked to meet this Samaritan," I laid my head back and looked up at her, "Hey. All this time, and I haven't asked you your name."
"Andelia. But people call me Andy."
We turned the corner, past the elevator. A few minutes later, we went through a double door entrance and into the "locker room" as she referred to the place. As it turned out, the locker room was what its name suggested. It was a large room filled with many small storage lockers. Andy stopped and scrutinized the clipboard in her hand. She then wheeled me down to the ninth row and stopped at a locker - the seventh from the left. "This'll just take a second," she said, typing a password into the device next to the handle. She opened the 2' by 2' locker. There were several clear-plastic packages inside. She took out two first and set them on the wheelchair. The second two - the packages containing my shirt, sweater and cloak - she handed to me. "There, that's everything," she said, closing the locker. I unzipped one of the plastic packages and was met by a clean, spring scent. [Someone took the time to wash these.]
"There isn't really a changing room here. So, if you want, I can just step outside and -"
"Could you hold this for a moment?" I put my two bundles in her outstretched arms. I began to take off the hospital shirt, and then stopped.
"Uh," the nurse murmured.
"Oh," I looked at her, and then back at the shirt I already had halfway off, "If you're uncomfortable with this, I can go change in the bathroom down the hall."
"Oh, no, you don't have to do that. I'm a nurse after all. I was just making sure you knew that I was still here, seeing as hit your head pretty hard. I'll just.turn around." When she had turned her back to me, I pulled off the cheap hospital shirt and pants. I never was a modest person. In pre-SOLDIER, we had to change and shower in front of dozens of other trainees. I took my pants, shorts, and socks out of the top package on the wheelchair.
"You can turn around now," I said after donning the clothes. Andy turned around and gave me my shirt and sweater. Then came my red, travel-cloak and some of the armor I had. "I seem to be missing a few things," I said, checking my pockets after pulling my boots on, "I had some 'utilities' with me."
"Small items and valuables can be picked up at the front desk on the main floor," replied Andy. I nodded, wondering if my sword would be counted as a "small item." She waited for me to get into the wheelchair. I sighed and sat down.
After throwing my hospital clothes down a chute on the adjacent wall, Andy wheeled me to the elevator. We took it down to the ground floor.
"Did you say my belongings would be at the front desk?" I asked.
"Yes. It's right up ahead here." We approached a large semi-circular table protruding from the wall. Five people sat computers on the inside of the table giving information and directions to people standing around the outside. Andy wheeled me to the right-most information clerk. The woman looked up from her computer and smiled.
"Hello Andy," she said.
"Hi Eleanor. How are Tommy and Karen?"
"I swear the little rascals will be the end of me. Last night, the baby sitter quit on me after one night with them. I still haven't gotten out of them what they did to the poor thing," replied the older woman, "But enough of that. I know you're very busy. What can I do for you?"
"I'm here to check out patient 1229855. Here the release forms from Doctor Castel," she handed some papers to the older woman. Eleanor looked at the papers and then began to type furiously on the keyboard.
"You know Andy, you should get out more. All work and no play is bad for your health," she said as she typed.
"Probably. But, I hardly have any time to myself to do anything. Hands are short and these people need me. Med-school isn't letting up either. And I need the money to pay for." she stopped. There was pain in her eyes. A sensitive spot had apparently been hit.
"Don't you worry, Andy. The doctors would never stop helping him, even if you don't have the money to pay for the help. This hospital. We're like a family, and you're part of it. That makes him part of the family too. Trust me. He'll get all the help he can get."
".Thanks," she smiled. [I wonder who they're talking about.] "And, I sure this place can get along a few days without you. And, I'm sure that if you asked, any of the doctors here could convince your professors to give you a few days break. Let me see if I can get you a few days paid vacation. Some people here still owe me a favor," the older woman smiled mischievously.
"You'd do that? Oh thank you so, so much! How can I ever repay you?"
"Don't. I still owed you that big favor. Okay, back to business. Here we go. Patient 1229855 - logged in as Cloud Strife by the ID found I his person. He came in this morning at around 4:13 with a minor concussion," the clerk looked at Andy, "It's only 12:27."
"I know it's strange," said the nurse, "But he seems remarkably fine. The doctor said so himself." The desk clerk looked me over.
"All right then," she finally said, "I'll be right back." She left the desk and went into the back room. A few moments later, she came back with a brown box and handed it to Andy. The nurse then handed it to me.
"Your belongings should all be in there," she said. I opened the box. Inside were the valuable RESTORE, BARRIER, and REVIVE materia I kept on my person. There was also my PHS phone, my wallet, and watch. Everything was there. Nothing in my wallet had been touched. My sword. Do they have it? My sword was the most valuable thing I had on me, not to mention the FIRE, ICE, and LIGHTNING elemental material I had in its slots.
"Is this all you found with me?"
"Everything found on your person should be in that box," replied the desk clerk.
"I had a Shinra type-XZ Buster Saber with me. It was given to me by a dear friend," I said.
"I'm sorry," replied Eleanor, "What ever you had with you when you came in is in that box. I took everything out of the box and gave it back to the clerk.
"Thanks," I said. [Where could I have?] I looked around the waiting room. What did I expect to find? The person who brought me here? I don't even know what he/she looks like. And, it's not like the person would still be here after more than eight hours. As I began to place my PHS in my pocket, I saw a small white something peeking out the side of it.
"If I were you, I would try the police station," said the clerk, "Your weapon may have been taken there. You just have to prove that you own it.
"I'll do that. Thanks for your help," I looked up at her.
"Well, if that's it, then you're all set to go."
"Yeah. I'm ready to go," I nodded.
Andy rolled me out of the tall hospital building. The fresh outside air was a welcome change to the hospital's scented environment.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" she asked me.
"Not at this point. I'll probably find an inn somewhere around." I trailed off.
"Listen. If you need anything." I didn't understand it, we'd only just met, and she was worrying about me as if I were an old friend.
"I'll be okay," I said, standing up, "Thanks for helping me."
"Just.be careful alright?"
"Yeah." When she had left, I unfolded the phone and saw that it was a piece of paper. There was number writing on it. [A phone number!] I suddenly realized. It read: 248-656-6544. Who.it must be- I pulled out my PHS and dialed the numbers. I put the small black phone to my ear. I waited while it rung and wondered how much higher my medical insurance was going to be.
A moment later, a cool female voice answered.
"Hello?" there was something familiar about that voice.
"Who is this?" I asked. There was a pause.
"Fayette's Diner in 20 minutes," was the answer. Then she hung up. I stood there stunned. Was that it? [Fayette's Diner in 20 minutes. What kind of a person leaves you a number and then hangs up on you?] I instinctively looked at my watch: 12:33. [Where is Fayette's Diner anyway?]
I walked in on the smell of freshly baked bread, coffee, and eggs. I had already had a little lunch after the doctor had examined me, but the smells made me hungry all over again. The diner wasn't hard to find. Actually it wasn't me that found it at all. Some guy in a horse carriage came by me, and I asked for a ride. At first he was reluctant - probably because I looked like a vagrant with my travel-worn cloak. [I'd get rid of it, but it's become something like that of a security blanket.] Once he saw that I had money though, he was more than happy to take me to the place.
I stood at the door and looked around. More than a few faces looked up at my arrival. The diner wasn't very large. It could've probably seated 60 people, but less than half the seats were filled now. The lunchtime rush was over. I picked a booth by the long glass plane that made up most of the front of the diner. [Cozy place,] I thought as I sat down. The light, tan-colored booths ran along the front and both sides of the diner. Red stools were lined up like in a bar - along the counter that separated the dining room and kitchen.
"Can I get you anything sir?" I was a little startled at the sudden approach of the young waitress.
"Just some coffee," I replied.
"I'll be back in just a moment," she smiled that fake smile that all waitresses give to their customers, and left. I looked at my watch. 12:44. I was almost ten minutes too early. I looked around the diner. No one looked up at me again after the first time.
"Here ya go," the waitress set a mug and packets of cream and sugar in front of me, "Can I get you anything else?"
"Nothing at this moment," I said. She nodded and left. I closed my eyes and relaxed a little, not wanting to think about the situation at hand just yet.
Suddenly, I felt something metal wrap around my throat. It tightened its hold and began to choke me. Without turning around (as if I was able to), I grabbed the arms of my assailant. With a burst of energy, I flung whoever it was over me and onto the table. I froze.
"Yuffie?"
"Ow, Cloud. Not so rough!"
~z_lancer
I blinked once, then again. The vision was blurry, a swirl of white. I shut my eyes. [Ugh. Ow.] I flinched as I felt the sore spot on the back of my head. The swollen place throbbed with pain. I laid my head back on the pillow. [Better.] My arms and legs ached. I moved my fingers to try and relieve the pain in my upper arms. The digits brushed against some kind of soft material. I lifted my right hand from the sheets to rub the sleep from my eyes. [Wait. Pillow, sheets.a bed?] I forced my eyes open.
[A white ceiling. Light? Day? It is morning? Where am I?] I sat up. The tenderness in the back of my head stung as the blood rushed away from it. I flinched and lay back down. [How?] I looked around. I was in a small room.[no wait, why does the wall have creases in it?] There was a long, blue curtain in place of a wall on the left of the bedside. The door was out of view. The morning sunlight streamed in through the windows above my head, and the right-hand wall. [Hospital. I'm in a hospital bed.] I struggled to get my thoughts straight. [What the hell happened? How did I get here?]
Suddenly the curtain was drawn to the side. A woman in a white uniform drew the blue sheet back all the way, revealing a whole row of other sleeping forms. She let out a deep sigh, and continued to the sink not far from my bedside.
"Hello?" I said, a little unsure of what was going on. The nurse froze with a sharp intake of breath. She twirled around and looked at me.
"Oh hello," she recovered quickly. Her golden hair was wrapped in a bun on the back of her head. A few loose strands fell across her face. She was young, I could tell, but the dark circles that have formed under her blue eyes made her look five years older than she probably was. [Lack of sleep. I should know. I look like I've risen from the grave.] "I thought you were still sleeping," she said. "I was."
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"
"No, no, it was just coincidence that you came just as I woke up."
"I'm glad," there was something.sad in her voice.
"Where am I?" I asked. She studied me as if she thought I was playing some kind of childish trick.
"Peersol Hospital," she answered.
"How did I get here?"
"I'm not sure," she said, "Here, let me check your condition status." The nurse walked over to the foot of the bed and took up the clipboard attached to its outer edge.
"It says here that.Hmm. You're the one that came in last night.or rather very early in the morning," she scrutinized the piece of paper on it, "Minor concussion. A hard jolt to the back of the head. The doctors hadn't expected you to regain consciousness for at least another day -" "Much less up and around," she said as I pulled the sheets off my body and slid my legs off the side of the bed. I got off the bed and stood up suddenly. [Bad idea.] I felt the blood drain from my head. My vision began to blur again, and I could feel my legs begin to buckle underneath me. I faintly heard a cry and the sound of a clipboard clatter to the ground. I began to fall. I was stopped by something. Someone was holding me. My vision began to clear up, and I could see the nurse struggling to keep me up. With her arms under mine, she helped me back onto the bed. I've never felt so weak.have I? "Don't try to stand," she chastised, "You need to lay down and rest." "I'm fine," I lied, but the weakness in my voice told her the truth. "Stay right here," she said, "I'll be right back." I nodded.at least I thought I did, and closed my eyes.
I blinked. There was a shadow over my face. "He's waking," it was a man's voice. "Wh.Who?" I heard myself say. I rubbed my eyes.
"How are you feeling my friend?" said the same voice. I opened my eyes. A dark skinned man dressed in white stood over me.
"Who are you?"
"I am Dr. Castel," said the man. His voice was accented. Del Solian? "How are you feeling?" he asked again. "Groggy." "How about the head pains?" I felt the back of my head. The bump was still there, but the pain had lessened considerably.
"Better," I replied.
"Good. I gave you a weak anesthetic shot. Had I known you were going to wake so soon, I would have administered it sooner. Tell me. What is your name?'
"Cloud Strife."
"Okay, so you do remember your name. Do you feel any memory loss? Any blank spots in your mind that you can't explain?"
"Not really. Yesterday just seems a little blurry," I lied about that part. I really didn't want to start any explanations."
"Good. No long-term memory loss. I'm sure everything you did yesterday will become quite clear in a little while. Can you stand?"
"I'll try." I sat up slowly, remembering what happened when I got up too fast. Hmm. No blood-rush this time. I moved my feet off the side of the bed. The doctor took one of my arms and someone else took the other. I looked to see who it was. It was the nurse from before. She smiled at me. I hadn't noticed her when she was off to the side. Together, they helped hoist me up to my feet. I felt like a helpless child.
"You can let go. I can stand up fine by myself," I said. The both of them loosened their grip. I stood up straight without falling, without wobbling.
"Take a step forward," said the doctor. I did.
"Do you feel anything strange? Any dizziness, nausea?"
"No. I'm fine."
"Good. Now walk to the other side of the bed." I complied.
"I feel fine," I said before he had the chance to ask me the question again.
"Good. It's remarkable how fast you've recovered. I didn't believe Miss Gardner here at first when she told me that you had regained consciousness. But, here you are. Remarkable. Well Mr. Strife, now that I've finished my examination and concluded that you're fully recovered, I will just sign your release forms, and you can be on your way. Now, I will leave you in the very capable hands of Nurse Gardner. If you'll excuse me," the doctor gave a little bow and left the room. I stretched my limbs, making sure they were all in tact. The hospital garb was a little uncomfortable around the neckline. There was also something wrapped around my wrist. I brought up my hand to look at it. It was a tag. Patient number 1229855, it said. "Well, if you're ready to go, we can go get your belongings," said the nurse. A low, growl came from my stomach. I gave her an embarrassed smile. ".But first, let's get you something to eat."
"Cloud Strife. Where have I heard that name before?" asked the nurse while I took a bite out of the sandwich she brought me from the kitchen. There was also a hot bowl of vegetable soup, and glass of milk on the tray. It reminded me instantly of how hungry I was. "I was on the news last week. Maybe you heard about me helping with that big drug-bust in the Kalm area," I said thoughtfully. "You're that bounty hunter," she smiled mysteriously. "I prefer 'soldier of fortune,' but it doesn't really matter." "What's it like being a 'soldier for hire?'" "Huh?" "You know, you get to travel the world, see all sorts of places and people. Must be exciting." Exciting? I thought about this for a moment. It was an exciting, high- adrenaline life style - when there was a job to be done anyway. The downtime in between was kind of.lonely. [This is the life you chose Cloud. The solitude will help you find yourself.]
"Yeah," I answered, both to her and myself. [I'm too mentally unstable to be with others anyway.]
"I'd give anything for a chance to travel, unrestricted," she sighed.
"Why don't you?"
"Some of us just aren't lucky I guess," there was sadness in her voice. I sensed that she didn't want to reveal anything deeper. I didn't pursue the topic.
After I had finished my meal, the nurse left the room then came back with a wheelchair a few moments later.
"What's that for?" I asked, already guessing its purpose.
"Sit, I'm going to take you to get your clothes."
"Can't I save you the trouble and just walk? It's not like my legs are broken or anything."
"It's hospital procedure that all patients be escorted throughout the building in these wheelchairs," she answered, "And don't ask me why because I won't pretend I know."
"Fair enough." The hallways were so busy. Everyone seemed to have something to do. [ I never want to work in a place like this. Everything's to close together. Too much of the same thing over and over.] A question suddenly struck me.
"How long have I been unconscious?" I asked the nurse. She arched an eyebrow, and her lips pursed together as she tried to recall the time.
"Well, according to the record, you came in at about 4:13 this morning. You woke up for a few minutes at ten - scared me half to death when I came back with the doctor and you were unconscious - then slept for another hour. So, About seven hours." [Seven hours?] It's the longest I've slept this week. [Looks like I gotta get the shit kicked out of me just to get some sleep.] I was lucky someone had come to pick me off the street.
"Did you see who brought me in?"
"Sorry, I came in at around six, so I don't know."
"It's okay. Though I would've liked to meet this Samaritan," I laid my head back and looked up at her, "Hey. All this time, and I haven't asked you your name."
"Andelia. But people call me Andy."
We turned the corner, past the elevator. A few minutes later, we went through a double door entrance and into the "locker room" as she referred to the place. As it turned out, the locker room was what its name suggested. It was a large room filled with many small storage lockers. Andy stopped and scrutinized the clipboard in her hand. She then wheeled me down to the ninth row and stopped at a locker - the seventh from the left. "This'll just take a second," she said, typing a password into the device next to the handle. She opened the 2' by 2' locker. There were several clear-plastic packages inside. She took out two first and set them on the wheelchair. The second two - the packages containing my shirt, sweater and cloak - she handed to me. "There, that's everything," she said, closing the locker. I unzipped one of the plastic packages and was met by a clean, spring scent. [Someone took the time to wash these.]
"There isn't really a changing room here. So, if you want, I can just step outside and -"
"Could you hold this for a moment?" I put my two bundles in her outstretched arms. I began to take off the hospital shirt, and then stopped.
"Uh," the nurse murmured.
"Oh," I looked at her, and then back at the shirt I already had halfway off, "If you're uncomfortable with this, I can go change in the bathroom down the hall."
"Oh, no, you don't have to do that. I'm a nurse after all. I was just making sure you knew that I was still here, seeing as hit your head pretty hard. I'll just.turn around." When she had turned her back to me, I pulled off the cheap hospital shirt and pants. I never was a modest person. In pre-SOLDIER, we had to change and shower in front of dozens of other trainees. I took my pants, shorts, and socks out of the top package on the wheelchair.
"You can turn around now," I said after donning the clothes. Andy turned around and gave me my shirt and sweater. Then came my red, travel-cloak and some of the armor I had. "I seem to be missing a few things," I said, checking my pockets after pulling my boots on, "I had some 'utilities' with me."
"Small items and valuables can be picked up at the front desk on the main floor," replied Andy. I nodded, wondering if my sword would be counted as a "small item." She waited for me to get into the wheelchair. I sighed and sat down.
After throwing my hospital clothes down a chute on the adjacent wall, Andy wheeled me to the elevator. We took it down to the ground floor.
"Did you say my belongings would be at the front desk?" I asked.
"Yes. It's right up ahead here." We approached a large semi-circular table protruding from the wall. Five people sat computers on the inside of the table giving information and directions to people standing around the outside. Andy wheeled me to the right-most information clerk. The woman looked up from her computer and smiled.
"Hello Andy," she said.
"Hi Eleanor. How are Tommy and Karen?"
"I swear the little rascals will be the end of me. Last night, the baby sitter quit on me after one night with them. I still haven't gotten out of them what they did to the poor thing," replied the older woman, "But enough of that. I know you're very busy. What can I do for you?"
"I'm here to check out patient 1229855. Here the release forms from Doctor Castel," she handed some papers to the older woman. Eleanor looked at the papers and then began to type furiously on the keyboard.
"You know Andy, you should get out more. All work and no play is bad for your health," she said as she typed.
"Probably. But, I hardly have any time to myself to do anything. Hands are short and these people need me. Med-school isn't letting up either. And I need the money to pay for." she stopped. There was pain in her eyes. A sensitive spot had apparently been hit.
"Don't you worry, Andy. The doctors would never stop helping him, even if you don't have the money to pay for the help. This hospital. We're like a family, and you're part of it. That makes him part of the family too. Trust me. He'll get all the help he can get."
".Thanks," she smiled. [I wonder who they're talking about.] "And, I sure this place can get along a few days without you. And, I'm sure that if you asked, any of the doctors here could convince your professors to give you a few days break. Let me see if I can get you a few days paid vacation. Some people here still owe me a favor," the older woman smiled mischievously.
"You'd do that? Oh thank you so, so much! How can I ever repay you?"
"Don't. I still owed you that big favor. Okay, back to business. Here we go. Patient 1229855 - logged in as Cloud Strife by the ID found I his person. He came in this morning at around 4:13 with a minor concussion," the clerk looked at Andy, "It's only 12:27."
"I know it's strange," said the nurse, "But he seems remarkably fine. The doctor said so himself." The desk clerk looked me over.
"All right then," she finally said, "I'll be right back." She left the desk and went into the back room. A few moments later, she came back with a brown box and handed it to Andy. The nurse then handed it to me.
"Your belongings should all be in there," she said. I opened the box. Inside were the valuable RESTORE, BARRIER, and REVIVE materia I kept on my person. There was also my PHS phone, my wallet, and watch. Everything was there. Nothing in my wallet had been touched. My sword. Do they have it? My sword was the most valuable thing I had on me, not to mention the FIRE, ICE, and LIGHTNING elemental material I had in its slots.
"Is this all you found with me?"
"Everything found on your person should be in that box," replied the desk clerk.
"I had a Shinra type-XZ Buster Saber with me. It was given to me by a dear friend," I said.
"I'm sorry," replied Eleanor, "What ever you had with you when you came in is in that box. I took everything out of the box and gave it back to the clerk.
"Thanks," I said. [Where could I have?] I looked around the waiting room. What did I expect to find? The person who brought me here? I don't even know what he/she looks like. And, it's not like the person would still be here after more than eight hours. As I began to place my PHS in my pocket, I saw a small white something peeking out the side of it.
"If I were you, I would try the police station," said the clerk, "Your weapon may have been taken there. You just have to prove that you own it.
"I'll do that. Thanks for your help," I looked up at her.
"Well, if that's it, then you're all set to go."
"Yeah. I'm ready to go," I nodded.
Andy rolled me out of the tall hospital building. The fresh outside air was a welcome change to the hospital's scented environment.
"Do you have anywhere to go?" she asked me.
"Not at this point. I'll probably find an inn somewhere around." I trailed off.
"Listen. If you need anything." I didn't understand it, we'd only just met, and she was worrying about me as if I were an old friend.
"I'll be okay," I said, standing up, "Thanks for helping me."
"Just.be careful alright?"
"Yeah." When she had left, I unfolded the phone and saw that it was a piece of paper. There was number writing on it. [A phone number!] I suddenly realized. It read: 248-656-6544. Who.it must be- I pulled out my PHS and dialed the numbers. I put the small black phone to my ear. I waited while it rung and wondered how much higher my medical insurance was going to be.
A moment later, a cool female voice answered.
"Hello?" there was something familiar about that voice.
"Who is this?" I asked. There was a pause.
"Fayette's Diner in 20 minutes," was the answer. Then she hung up. I stood there stunned. Was that it? [Fayette's Diner in 20 minutes. What kind of a person leaves you a number and then hangs up on you?] I instinctively looked at my watch: 12:33. [Where is Fayette's Diner anyway?]
I walked in on the smell of freshly baked bread, coffee, and eggs. I had already had a little lunch after the doctor had examined me, but the smells made me hungry all over again. The diner wasn't hard to find. Actually it wasn't me that found it at all. Some guy in a horse carriage came by me, and I asked for a ride. At first he was reluctant - probably because I looked like a vagrant with my travel-worn cloak. [I'd get rid of it, but it's become something like that of a security blanket.] Once he saw that I had money though, he was more than happy to take me to the place.
I stood at the door and looked around. More than a few faces looked up at my arrival. The diner wasn't very large. It could've probably seated 60 people, but less than half the seats were filled now. The lunchtime rush was over. I picked a booth by the long glass plane that made up most of the front of the diner. [Cozy place,] I thought as I sat down. The light, tan-colored booths ran along the front and both sides of the diner. Red stools were lined up like in a bar - along the counter that separated the dining room and kitchen.
"Can I get you anything sir?" I was a little startled at the sudden approach of the young waitress.
"Just some coffee," I replied.
"I'll be back in just a moment," she smiled that fake smile that all waitresses give to their customers, and left. I looked at my watch. 12:44. I was almost ten minutes too early. I looked around the diner. No one looked up at me again after the first time.
"Here ya go," the waitress set a mug and packets of cream and sugar in front of me, "Can I get you anything else?"
"Nothing at this moment," I said. She nodded and left. I closed my eyes and relaxed a little, not wanting to think about the situation at hand just yet.
Suddenly, I felt something metal wrap around my throat. It tightened its hold and began to choke me. Without turning around (as if I was able to), I grabbed the arms of my assailant. With a burst of energy, I flung whoever it was over me and onto the table. I froze.
"Yuffie?"
"Ow, Cloud. Not so rough!"