Hunted By The Shadows
Chapter Twelve
The sun lowered in the distance signalling it would soon be getting dark. The steady rhythm from the train was beginning to decrease as it neared the train station. The busy streets of Deling city were already in view, revealing the everyday sights that they were accustomed to in contrast to the beautiful white plains of Trabia. As the train came to a halt in the busy station Squall turned to face Rinoa. Her usual carefree look, now replaced with a serious and distant expression. Since they had started their journey back to Deling City, neither of the two had spoken more than a few words to each other. Usually the silence of people around him would be comforting, but not today. Seeing Rinoa so silent. So solemn. So unlike her usual self, he was worried.
It was the first time he had seen her look so scared, when she had stepped out of Selphie's home. She had cried helplessly, and all he could do was try and give her a little comfort. Giving a little more of himself away, it wasn't right. He knew that it wasn't what he was supposed to do. Comfort her; let her rely on him to help her. How could he save her when he didn't even know how to save himself? Each day he felt it even harder to push her away and act the same serious person he had always been. Seeing that look in her eyes, that scared and helpless look as she cried, he couldn't push her away. He couldn't just ignore it and let her cry alone, no matter how much his head screamed at him not to do, he had tried to comfort her.
The train came to a sharp halt as it reached its destination. The two gathered their belongings before exiting the train. Walking out of the train station in silence, Squall felt himself feeling uncomfortable. For the first time, he felt the need to speak. The needs to have her make a conversation. Maybe smile or laugh. Anything.
As the exit of the train station came in view, dark rain clouds could be seen above in the sky. Small droplets began making their way towards the ground whilst a cold chill ran through the air. Rinoa watched as a few droplets fell down towards the ground leaving spots of damp everywhere, until it soon became heavier. She turned towards Squall, for the first time in the last few hours. His stormy blue eyes watching her.
"I guess I better go home," she said quietly watching the sky in the distance.
Squall nodded with slight relief to hear Rinoa speaking again. He was still worried though, as there remained an emptiness in her eyes. "Shall I walk you home?" he said before he could comprehend what he was saying. Don't get close. That's what he had always told himself but now he felt guilt overcoming him. He had introduced her to this world and this had caused her sadness. He could see her deteriorating condition as the dreams took a hold of her.
She nodded with a half smile. "Thank you," she replied, accepting the offer. She watched as Squall began to walk then pause as he looked at the dark clouds above. The rain seemed to be growing in pace with every second.
"I hope you don't mind getting wet," Squall said looking back to Rinoa, who hung close behind him.
"Do I have a choice?"
Squall gave a half smile as he saw Rinoa's hair dripping with water in the few moments that they had been outside. "Not really," he said. "Come on, I don't want to stay out here all night."
He watched as he saw Rinoa still stood in the same spot, obviously not taking his hint that he didn't want to get drenched in the rain. Squall stood feeling a little confused as she was looking in his direction, a happier look on her face. "What?"
"You should smile more often," she said softly before walking a quicker pace in the direction of her apartment, "It suits you."
Squall frowned at her comment, inwardly feeling more content as she was being her usual self again. He then decided that he didn't want to spend any more time outdoors so hurried in the wake of Rinoa's footsteps. The two walked close together, keeping close to the buildings trying to shelter from some of the rain. Deling City had become unusually quiet in this downpour as people rushed to find refuge from the storm.
They eventually reached Rinoa's apartment. By the time they arrived clothes and hair was drenched and the two stood outside the door of Rinoa's apartment. She looked at his at bangs of hair falling loosely over his eyes and smiled. "Thank you for coming with me Squall," she said slowly placing a hand on his arm. Beneath her hand she felt his arm tense up slightly, so with reluctance, decided best to pull away. "Do you want to come inside?" she said observing his features, "You're soaking wet, so it'll be warmer for you in here than going back out in the rain again"
Squall contemplated accepting her offer for a moment before deciding it would be best to leave her alone, "Sorry," he said observing her disappointed features, "I've got to get back and sort something out."
Rinoa nodded her head, "Okay then, I'll see you around" she said before entering her small apartment. Once inside she placed her bags down on the floor and collapsed on the sofa in exhaustion. Relaxing in the silence for a moment, feeling a little stiff from being sat on the train home for so long. She reluctantly got up from the sofa deciding to take a warm shower to try and relax her muscles.
Inside the bathroom, she took off her clothes and stepped inside the warm shower. Feeling relieved as the lukewarm water flowed down her body. Letting out a small sigh she closed her eyes as the drowsiness swept over her. Stepping out of the shower, she took a towel wrapping it around herself and entered her room to get out a nightgown. Putting on the thin item of clothing she retreated to her bed. Looking around her room one last time, she switched off her light letting the darkness surround her, and laid her head against the pillow closing her eyes.
"They search through time for you, and when they come, they take everything away from you until the only thing left to do is scream out in fear"
Selphie's voice ran through her mind as the day's events came back to her. She opened her eyes, although it made no difference as her eyes still hadn't yet adjusted to the darkness. A slight chill ran down her spine as she recalled the words, at the same time trying to forget them. She just needed sleep right now, nothing else.
"I only closed my eyes for a second, I was so tired I couldn't help it but I didn't want to fall asleep and I did. When I woke up he was dead."
Sitting back up in her bed, she switched on the light and looked around the room, just like a small child did if they had had a bad dream. This is stupid, she told herself as she lay back down. Yet the feelings of not being the only person in this room lingered in her mind. Pushing the thoughts aside she switched off the light once more. Again, the darkness took over the room. Surrounding around her, almost as if watching over her. Frustrated with herself she closed her eyes and tried to think of something else.
"They're coming for you, aren't they? I can see that frightened look in your eyes. Irvine had that same look in his eyes when I started to realise something was wrong."
Wrapping her arms around herself she tried to fight the lump forming in her throat as the voices ran through her head. A small tear ran down her face. She was afraid. She was afraid of the dark. Sitting up once more she turned on the light and stood up as tears of frustration ran down her face. Putting her head in her hands she let out an exhausted whimper. Standing from the bed she quickly got dressed, not wanting to stay in her apartment any longer.
Quickly, she ran down the streets of Deling City following the same route she took when she had been to Squall's apartment before. The streets were now mainly deserted as all the shops were closed, as it was late at night. Rinoa rushed towards the direction of Squall's home as fast as she could, she didn't want to be alone, not tonight. Once outside his door she knocked loudly, hoping that he would be home. She waited for a few moments to get no response. Again, she knocked on his door, this time louder. The tears from earlier were still escaping from her eyes, making a trail down towards her neck. The sound of a lock being turned was heard before the door opened. She looked back at a tired looking Squall in relief.
"I'm sorry Squall," she said through her tears, "I just don't wanna be alone tonight. I can't. I'm too afraid to turn off the light."
Squall watched as the raven-haired girl stood on his doorstep looking like she was breaking down. He watched her in pity before opening his door wider for her to come inside. "Don't worry about it," he said slowly as she stepped inside and stood silent for a moment before a thought came to his mind. "It's because of what Selphie said, isn't it?" the words left his lips as he watched her look to the ground, "Don't let what she said scare you, you already knew what was to come anyway."
He cringed inside as he realised how cold his last statement sounded. "You tried Rinoa," he said softer, "she gave you a few more pieces to the puzzle, maybe you'll be able to find a way to stop them in the end."
Rinoa looked up at him for a moment ignoring his harsh comment, she was actually a little shocked to hear him giving her comforting words. "You didn't even want me to go anyway," she responded walking further into the living room and observing the many newspaper articles spread out over the coffee table. She couldn't help noticing how it looked a lot messier than the last time she had seen it.
"I never said that. It's just I wouldn't have gone myself, but you were willing to go and find out more than a newspaper could do"
She gave a small smile, wiping the wetness of her tears from her face and watched as he sat down on the sofa. Rinoa stood for a moment feeling unsure, and then decided to join him on the sofa. She fiddled with her hands nervously, a habit she had formed over the years, before turning to face Squall's deep blue eyes. "Visiting her didn't do me any good though did it?" she said sadly. "It made everything so much more real. Before I could just ignore it or think of you whenever I was scared," she turned away from him realising what she was saying "Before... I guess I really thought that it wouldn't happen. I thought you would be able to help me, but you can't. It's just going to get worse until they finally come and finish it."
From the side of her she heard a sigh escape Squall's lips, "Maybe I can't help you, but you can help yourself," he paused as Rinoa turned to face him once more, he was visibly looking uncomfortable. Cheering people up defiantly wasn't something he did regularly. "You already went out and visited Selphie, what's to stop you doing it again? Maybe you should try visiting that journalist she spoke about, but be careful what you say. I don't trust journalists."
Rinoa smiled hearing his words, she hadn't thought about the journalist Selphie had talked about before she gave them her card. "Thank you Squall," she said resisting the urge to touch him from his earlier reaction. She let out a relieved sigh feeling a little better with herself.
Looking at the various articles on the coffee table she noticed an old looking piece of paper laid flat. She studied it for a moment; on it there were various drawings. Five cloaked figures were sketched on the piece of paper. Taking it in her hands she looked at it closer, two of the drawings looked familiar. One was the figure that had always haunted her dreams. In the drawing he was holding the same sword he always carried when he came after Rinoa. Beside him was that mysterious woman she had started to see, her eyes looking a frightening as they did in her dreams. The other three figures she didn't recognise. To the left hand side of the page she saw a familiar sight. There was a drawing of that mourning symbol that was engraved in the figures fiery sword.
Rinoa looked at Squall, suddenly seeing him shift in his seat and walk to the other side of the room, his back turned to her as he looked out the small window down on the city. "Is this what you see in your dreams?" she asked, looking in Squall's direction, "I've only ever seen two, but to see five...?"
Squall turned to her suddenly, "I've only ever seen the symbol, nothing more." He looked at her as if contemplating for a moment then turned his back to her once more.
Rinoa looked at Squall in confusion "Why did you draw it then?"
"It's not my drawing."
The answer was short, but it was clear enough which brought more confusion to her. Whose drawing was it if it wasn't his? Rinoa looked back onto the coffee table where the paper had been laid previously. There was an article from a newspaper on the table. The same article she had tried to look at before, on top of the article was a picture of a girl. It was the article written on the girl Squall had refused to tell her about. Ellone's photograph and the drawings had been on top of her article.
"Ellone..." she said quietly in suspicion. She watched as Squall tensed up as her name was said, Rinoa was right. "How did you get this from her?"
"Does it really matter?" Squall said harshly turning to face her, "I just have it."
She couldn't help but cringe hearing his sharp tone of voice. Another realisation hit her as she looked down at the article; it was on a murder victim. "You knew her...?" she asked looking back up to Squall. He turned his cruel eyes away from her, but didn't answer her question.
Cautiously, she picked up the old and worn looking article in her hands and studied it for a moment, before reading. Something still didn't make sense to her, and a strange sensation was telling her that this article would be an answer.
In the early hours of yesterday morning a young woman was found stabbed to death at her home in Winhill. Ellone Loire, aged 16, was found with a deep stab wound when her father arrived home later that night.
Ellone had been babysitting her younger brother that night, who was found unconscious in a cupboard in his room, presumably hiding from the killer. He has now been taken to hospital where he is recovering from shock.
Police have been called in, and they believe that this boy may have witnessed this brutal murder. Strangely, police have so far found no forensic evidence that could lead to the identity of the killers.
Investigators tried talking to the young boy but no further information has been given out to this mysterious murder. The young boy is suffering from shock as he was also attacked in the vicious murder. The young boy has been recovering in hospital from a deep cut between his eyes, most probably from the murderer of his older sister. Police are still continuing to investigate the scene.
Rinoa suddenly felt guilt grow inside of her as she looked at the man in front of her. She studied the scar that ran between his eyes, and felt sympathy for him. "Your sister?"
"It was a long time ago," he said turning back to her briefly.
She sat silently, feeling unsure of what to do or say next. A memory suddenly came back to her mind, and she found herself feeling mystified by what was happening.
So much blood. It just seemed to pour out of her. Her hands were shaking and she felt weak. Her knees gave way and she crashed to the floor. Alone. Was this what it was like to die? Her eyes felt heavy and she struggled to keep them open. As her vision blurred she saw a door opened and she saw a small boy run towards her. He screamed out but she couldn't hear him. A hand grabbed the boy and spun him away. Maybe she was wrong in thinking that she was alone. The same man from before stood barely visible in the shadows. The small boy twisted from the man's grip and ran to help her. The man quickly launched after him and once again grabbed him. This time he raised the blade and sliced it across his face. She saw blood pouring from his face and heard his scream. Poor boy. Her eyes slowly shut and everything turned to darkness.
"I think... I was there," she started, thinking back to that fateful night. The night when the dreams began. She found herself looking at the floor as she felt Squall's gaze on her. "The night I ran into you, at the hotel. I'd been playing the piano in memory of my mother. That was when I had my first dream."
"I don't know how to explain it. One minute I was playing the piano, and the next, I was in a graveyard. It was horrible; I was watching my mother's funeral... I saw myself. I'd always been afraid to visit my mother's grave before, but I had been there again that night. I saw a strange-cloaked man stood there. He didn't move at first, but then he came right up to me. He stabbed me with his sword, but as soon as he stabbed me, I was somewhere else. Someone else. I don't know, I was in some kind of house and I was bleeding. It hurt so much."
Rinoa struggled to retell the memories of that fateful night again as the tears were threatening to fall. Taking in a deep breath, she continued. "I was on the floor, thinking I was going to die all alone. Then I saw a young boy running towards me, but he was stopped. Cut across the face with a sword from the same person who was in my dreams. I think I was somehow there, Squall. I saw it happen."
She watched as Squall walked towards her, a distant look in his eyes. "I don't remember what happened," he admitted quietly. "It replays in my dreams every night, but I can't see properly. I feel something behind me as I see her body, but I never see what it is. I only see the symbol. I can't remember..."
Rinoa looked up to see the desperate and confused look in his eyes, an emotion she had never seen him show before. Watching his features she couldn't help but pity him. His sister had died. Suddenly it made sense why he researched for so long. She stood from her sat position and walked towards him. Slowly she wrapped her arms around his tense waist, in an attempt to make everything better.
Authors Note: Wow, after twelve chapters this is the first authors note I get to leave. I'm so proud. Well, once again I want to thank Dark Angels for reviewing. I also have dreadful news...this story may not be updated for 2 weeks! We're going to try and write another chapter this week to make up for it, but don't blame us for leaving you in suspense. Please review, it will make our days and give us the encouragement to get another chapter written quickly. Thanks!
Chapter Twelve
The sun lowered in the distance signalling it would soon be getting dark. The steady rhythm from the train was beginning to decrease as it neared the train station. The busy streets of Deling city were already in view, revealing the everyday sights that they were accustomed to in contrast to the beautiful white plains of Trabia. As the train came to a halt in the busy station Squall turned to face Rinoa. Her usual carefree look, now replaced with a serious and distant expression. Since they had started their journey back to Deling City, neither of the two had spoken more than a few words to each other. Usually the silence of people around him would be comforting, but not today. Seeing Rinoa so silent. So solemn. So unlike her usual self, he was worried.
It was the first time he had seen her look so scared, when she had stepped out of Selphie's home. She had cried helplessly, and all he could do was try and give her a little comfort. Giving a little more of himself away, it wasn't right. He knew that it wasn't what he was supposed to do. Comfort her; let her rely on him to help her. How could he save her when he didn't even know how to save himself? Each day he felt it even harder to push her away and act the same serious person he had always been. Seeing that look in her eyes, that scared and helpless look as she cried, he couldn't push her away. He couldn't just ignore it and let her cry alone, no matter how much his head screamed at him not to do, he had tried to comfort her.
The train came to a sharp halt as it reached its destination. The two gathered their belongings before exiting the train. Walking out of the train station in silence, Squall felt himself feeling uncomfortable. For the first time, he felt the need to speak. The needs to have her make a conversation. Maybe smile or laugh. Anything.
As the exit of the train station came in view, dark rain clouds could be seen above in the sky. Small droplets began making their way towards the ground whilst a cold chill ran through the air. Rinoa watched as a few droplets fell down towards the ground leaving spots of damp everywhere, until it soon became heavier. She turned towards Squall, for the first time in the last few hours. His stormy blue eyes watching her.
"I guess I better go home," she said quietly watching the sky in the distance.
Squall nodded with slight relief to hear Rinoa speaking again. He was still worried though, as there remained an emptiness in her eyes. "Shall I walk you home?" he said before he could comprehend what he was saying. Don't get close. That's what he had always told himself but now he felt guilt overcoming him. He had introduced her to this world and this had caused her sadness. He could see her deteriorating condition as the dreams took a hold of her.
She nodded with a half smile. "Thank you," she replied, accepting the offer. She watched as Squall began to walk then pause as he looked at the dark clouds above. The rain seemed to be growing in pace with every second.
"I hope you don't mind getting wet," Squall said looking back to Rinoa, who hung close behind him.
"Do I have a choice?"
Squall gave a half smile as he saw Rinoa's hair dripping with water in the few moments that they had been outside. "Not really," he said. "Come on, I don't want to stay out here all night."
He watched as he saw Rinoa still stood in the same spot, obviously not taking his hint that he didn't want to get drenched in the rain. Squall stood feeling a little confused as she was looking in his direction, a happier look on her face. "What?"
"You should smile more often," she said softly before walking a quicker pace in the direction of her apartment, "It suits you."
Squall frowned at her comment, inwardly feeling more content as she was being her usual self again. He then decided that he didn't want to spend any more time outdoors so hurried in the wake of Rinoa's footsteps. The two walked close together, keeping close to the buildings trying to shelter from some of the rain. Deling City had become unusually quiet in this downpour as people rushed to find refuge from the storm.
They eventually reached Rinoa's apartment. By the time they arrived clothes and hair was drenched and the two stood outside the door of Rinoa's apartment. She looked at his at bangs of hair falling loosely over his eyes and smiled. "Thank you for coming with me Squall," she said slowly placing a hand on his arm. Beneath her hand she felt his arm tense up slightly, so with reluctance, decided best to pull away. "Do you want to come inside?" she said observing his features, "You're soaking wet, so it'll be warmer for you in here than going back out in the rain again"
Squall contemplated accepting her offer for a moment before deciding it would be best to leave her alone, "Sorry," he said observing her disappointed features, "I've got to get back and sort something out."
Rinoa nodded her head, "Okay then, I'll see you around" she said before entering her small apartment. Once inside she placed her bags down on the floor and collapsed on the sofa in exhaustion. Relaxing in the silence for a moment, feeling a little stiff from being sat on the train home for so long. She reluctantly got up from the sofa deciding to take a warm shower to try and relax her muscles.
Inside the bathroom, she took off her clothes and stepped inside the warm shower. Feeling relieved as the lukewarm water flowed down her body. Letting out a small sigh she closed her eyes as the drowsiness swept over her. Stepping out of the shower, she took a towel wrapping it around herself and entered her room to get out a nightgown. Putting on the thin item of clothing she retreated to her bed. Looking around her room one last time, she switched off her light letting the darkness surround her, and laid her head against the pillow closing her eyes.
"They search through time for you, and when they come, they take everything away from you until the only thing left to do is scream out in fear"
Selphie's voice ran through her mind as the day's events came back to her. She opened her eyes, although it made no difference as her eyes still hadn't yet adjusted to the darkness. A slight chill ran down her spine as she recalled the words, at the same time trying to forget them. She just needed sleep right now, nothing else.
"I only closed my eyes for a second, I was so tired I couldn't help it but I didn't want to fall asleep and I did. When I woke up he was dead."
Sitting back up in her bed, she switched on the light and looked around the room, just like a small child did if they had had a bad dream. This is stupid, she told herself as she lay back down. Yet the feelings of not being the only person in this room lingered in her mind. Pushing the thoughts aside she switched off the light once more. Again, the darkness took over the room. Surrounding around her, almost as if watching over her. Frustrated with herself she closed her eyes and tried to think of something else.
"They're coming for you, aren't they? I can see that frightened look in your eyes. Irvine had that same look in his eyes when I started to realise something was wrong."
Wrapping her arms around herself she tried to fight the lump forming in her throat as the voices ran through her head. A small tear ran down her face. She was afraid. She was afraid of the dark. Sitting up once more she turned on the light and stood up as tears of frustration ran down her face. Putting her head in her hands she let out an exhausted whimper. Standing from the bed she quickly got dressed, not wanting to stay in her apartment any longer.
Quickly, she ran down the streets of Deling City following the same route she took when she had been to Squall's apartment before. The streets were now mainly deserted as all the shops were closed, as it was late at night. Rinoa rushed towards the direction of Squall's home as fast as she could, she didn't want to be alone, not tonight. Once outside his door she knocked loudly, hoping that he would be home. She waited for a few moments to get no response. Again, she knocked on his door, this time louder. The tears from earlier were still escaping from her eyes, making a trail down towards her neck. The sound of a lock being turned was heard before the door opened. She looked back at a tired looking Squall in relief.
"I'm sorry Squall," she said through her tears, "I just don't wanna be alone tonight. I can't. I'm too afraid to turn off the light."
Squall watched as the raven-haired girl stood on his doorstep looking like she was breaking down. He watched her in pity before opening his door wider for her to come inside. "Don't worry about it," he said slowly as she stepped inside and stood silent for a moment before a thought came to his mind. "It's because of what Selphie said, isn't it?" the words left his lips as he watched her look to the ground, "Don't let what she said scare you, you already knew what was to come anyway."
He cringed inside as he realised how cold his last statement sounded. "You tried Rinoa," he said softer, "she gave you a few more pieces to the puzzle, maybe you'll be able to find a way to stop them in the end."
Rinoa looked up at him for a moment ignoring his harsh comment, she was actually a little shocked to hear him giving her comforting words. "You didn't even want me to go anyway," she responded walking further into the living room and observing the many newspaper articles spread out over the coffee table. She couldn't help noticing how it looked a lot messier than the last time she had seen it.
"I never said that. It's just I wouldn't have gone myself, but you were willing to go and find out more than a newspaper could do"
She gave a small smile, wiping the wetness of her tears from her face and watched as he sat down on the sofa. Rinoa stood for a moment feeling unsure, and then decided to join him on the sofa. She fiddled with her hands nervously, a habit she had formed over the years, before turning to face Squall's deep blue eyes. "Visiting her didn't do me any good though did it?" she said sadly. "It made everything so much more real. Before I could just ignore it or think of you whenever I was scared," she turned away from him realising what she was saying "Before... I guess I really thought that it wouldn't happen. I thought you would be able to help me, but you can't. It's just going to get worse until they finally come and finish it."
From the side of her she heard a sigh escape Squall's lips, "Maybe I can't help you, but you can help yourself," he paused as Rinoa turned to face him once more, he was visibly looking uncomfortable. Cheering people up defiantly wasn't something he did regularly. "You already went out and visited Selphie, what's to stop you doing it again? Maybe you should try visiting that journalist she spoke about, but be careful what you say. I don't trust journalists."
Rinoa smiled hearing his words, she hadn't thought about the journalist Selphie had talked about before she gave them her card. "Thank you Squall," she said resisting the urge to touch him from his earlier reaction. She let out a relieved sigh feeling a little better with herself.
Looking at the various articles on the coffee table she noticed an old looking piece of paper laid flat. She studied it for a moment; on it there were various drawings. Five cloaked figures were sketched on the piece of paper. Taking it in her hands she looked at it closer, two of the drawings looked familiar. One was the figure that had always haunted her dreams. In the drawing he was holding the same sword he always carried when he came after Rinoa. Beside him was that mysterious woman she had started to see, her eyes looking a frightening as they did in her dreams. The other three figures she didn't recognise. To the left hand side of the page she saw a familiar sight. There was a drawing of that mourning symbol that was engraved in the figures fiery sword.
Rinoa looked at Squall, suddenly seeing him shift in his seat and walk to the other side of the room, his back turned to her as he looked out the small window down on the city. "Is this what you see in your dreams?" she asked, looking in Squall's direction, "I've only ever seen two, but to see five...?"
Squall turned to her suddenly, "I've only ever seen the symbol, nothing more." He looked at her as if contemplating for a moment then turned his back to her once more.
Rinoa looked at Squall in confusion "Why did you draw it then?"
"It's not my drawing."
The answer was short, but it was clear enough which brought more confusion to her. Whose drawing was it if it wasn't his? Rinoa looked back onto the coffee table where the paper had been laid previously. There was an article from a newspaper on the table. The same article she had tried to look at before, on top of the article was a picture of a girl. It was the article written on the girl Squall had refused to tell her about. Ellone's photograph and the drawings had been on top of her article.
"Ellone..." she said quietly in suspicion. She watched as Squall tensed up as her name was said, Rinoa was right. "How did you get this from her?"
"Does it really matter?" Squall said harshly turning to face her, "I just have it."
She couldn't help but cringe hearing his sharp tone of voice. Another realisation hit her as she looked down at the article; it was on a murder victim. "You knew her...?" she asked looking back up to Squall. He turned his cruel eyes away from her, but didn't answer her question.
Cautiously, she picked up the old and worn looking article in her hands and studied it for a moment, before reading. Something still didn't make sense to her, and a strange sensation was telling her that this article would be an answer.
In the early hours of yesterday morning a young woman was found stabbed to death at her home in Winhill. Ellone Loire, aged 16, was found with a deep stab wound when her father arrived home later that night.
Ellone had been babysitting her younger brother that night, who was found unconscious in a cupboard in his room, presumably hiding from the killer. He has now been taken to hospital where he is recovering from shock.
Police have been called in, and they believe that this boy may have witnessed this brutal murder. Strangely, police have so far found no forensic evidence that could lead to the identity of the killers.
Investigators tried talking to the young boy but no further information has been given out to this mysterious murder. The young boy is suffering from shock as he was also attacked in the vicious murder. The young boy has been recovering in hospital from a deep cut between his eyes, most probably from the murderer of his older sister. Police are still continuing to investigate the scene.
Rinoa suddenly felt guilt grow inside of her as she looked at the man in front of her. She studied the scar that ran between his eyes, and felt sympathy for him. "Your sister?"
"It was a long time ago," he said turning back to her briefly.
She sat silently, feeling unsure of what to do or say next. A memory suddenly came back to her mind, and she found herself feeling mystified by what was happening.
So much blood. It just seemed to pour out of her. Her hands were shaking and she felt weak. Her knees gave way and she crashed to the floor. Alone. Was this what it was like to die? Her eyes felt heavy and she struggled to keep them open. As her vision blurred she saw a door opened and she saw a small boy run towards her. He screamed out but she couldn't hear him. A hand grabbed the boy and spun him away. Maybe she was wrong in thinking that she was alone. The same man from before stood barely visible in the shadows. The small boy twisted from the man's grip and ran to help her. The man quickly launched after him and once again grabbed him. This time he raised the blade and sliced it across his face. She saw blood pouring from his face and heard his scream. Poor boy. Her eyes slowly shut and everything turned to darkness.
"I think... I was there," she started, thinking back to that fateful night. The night when the dreams began. She found herself looking at the floor as she felt Squall's gaze on her. "The night I ran into you, at the hotel. I'd been playing the piano in memory of my mother. That was when I had my first dream."
"I don't know how to explain it. One minute I was playing the piano, and the next, I was in a graveyard. It was horrible; I was watching my mother's funeral... I saw myself. I'd always been afraid to visit my mother's grave before, but I had been there again that night. I saw a strange-cloaked man stood there. He didn't move at first, but then he came right up to me. He stabbed me with his sword, but as soon as he stabbed me, I was somewhere else. Someone else. I don't know, I was in some kind of house and I was bleeding. It hurt so much."
Rinoa struggled to retell the memories of that fateful night again as the tears were threatening to fall. Taking in a deep breath, she continued. "I was on the floor, thinking I was going to die all alone. Then I saw a young boy running towards me, but he was stopped. Cut across the face with a sword from the same person who was in my dreams. I think I was somehow there, Squall. I saw it happen."
She watched as Squall walked towards her, a distant look in his eyes. "I don't remember what happened," he admitted quietly. "It replays in my dreams every night, but I can't see properly. I feel something behind me as I see her body, but I never see what it is. I only see the symbol. I can't remember..."
Rinoa looked up to see the desperate and confused look in his eyes, an emotion she had never seen him show before. Watching his features she couldn't help but pity him. His sister had died. Suddenly it made sense why he researched for so long. She stood from her sat position and walked towards him. Slowly she wrapped her arms around his tense waist, in an attempt to make everything better.
Authors Note: Wow, after twelve chapters this is the first authors note I get to leave. I'm so proud. Well, once again I want to thank Dark Angels for reviewing. I also have dreadful news...this story may not be updated for 2 weeks! We're going to try and write another chapter this week to make up for it, but don't blame us for leaving you in suspense. Please review, it will make our days and give us the encouragement to get another chapter written quickly. Thanks!