Chapter 1: The Nightmare Begins…

I was wearing my favorite pair of old, faded blue jeans with my dark blue sweatshirt. It was a Saturday, and very beautiful one at that. The temperature was a perfect 68, but the gentle breeze was cause enough for a light jacket or long sleeves. I sat down on a bench outside Balamb Garden, taking in the sunshine and the sweet smell of spring as I waited patiently for my companion. I stared down at my white sketchers, watching my feet nervously kick back and forth. I looked back up at the vibrant blue sky, which was slowly turning golden oranges and pinks, and sighed. There was no reason for me to be nervous really.

"I'm sure I'll like his surprise no matter what. So just take a deep breath and calm down." I said to myself.

I then glanced at my watch. I had been waiting for 45 minutes now. I knew when I sat down out here that I was a few minutes early. Worry overcame me as I started to wonder what was taking my boyfriend so long to show up. It didn't take long for the sunset sky to turn dark and starry. I couldn't just sit there and wait any longer. As I stood up from the bench I felt a presence behind me, then a hand was placed upon my shoulder.

"Hi there." Stated the speech-impaired voice.

I quickly jumped away from the voice and turned around to face it. There he was, dark brown hair lying over his glasses. He smiled devilishly from the shadow he stood in, sending shivers down my spine.

"What do you want?" I asked, an angry tone to my voice.

"Why that's no way to greet an old friend."

"Pardon me? But I don't even know you." Something about this person just rubbed me the wrong way.

"Oh my? Do I detect a hint of anger in your voice? Please, I didn't come here to fight with you. I was hoping for a warmer greeting though."

I glared at his trenchcoat figure in the darkness. I couldn't figure out for the life of me who this person was. He was claiming to be an old friend though. That's when it hit me.

"Darrien?"

"Took you long enough, Selphie. You know, I've missed you dearly."

I shuddered as he spoke my name. Yes, once this frightening man was a friend of mine back at Trabia, but he yet when I think about it, he was so much more than just my friend. He was the love of my life at one point in time. But at the time he could never bring himself to love me. I wouldn't say that I hated him, just despised him. He hurt me like no other ever had. Yet he felt it right to use my body and heart whenever he needed to. I was his little puppet. I was so naive back then. I continued to believe that him and I had something special when we really didn't. Eventually I got a good head on my shoulders and moved away; hadn't seen him in many years though. I couldn't figure out why he would want to see me now. I convinced him to hate me with a fiery passion before he moved away. That way I knew I would never fall for him again.

I backed up even farther away from him, slowly taking small steps back as he advanced upon me.

"I'd love to stay and chat but Irvine is waiting for me." I said to him.

"Really? It looks like you were waiting for him though? Hehehe…Penny must be doing a good job of keeping him busy. I'll have to thank her later. Right Exon?"

"Exon? Who the hell is that?" I yelled. Almost immediately, from behind me, two rather large hands were placed on my shoulders.

I turned my head to see a very tall, pale, dark red hair man. He was the vampiric looking friend of Darrien's ex-girlfriend. I had heard many stories about him. He was the kind of person you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley at night.

"What is he doing here?" I said, with a tinge of fear in my voice.

"Well you see Selphie, he wanted to meet the girl I've been so obsessed over. The one that ruined my life completely."

"Oh I didn't do anything to your life Darrien! You are the one who made the decisions that caused your life to end up like it has…however that may be. I have nothing to do with it."

Exon tightened his grip upon me and caused me to cringe in pain.

"Damnit! Let go of me!" I yelled at him.

"Oh no…I'm afraid he can't do that. My dear Selphie, come take a walk with me, we need to talk some more but not out here." Darrien cooed.

"I'm not going anywhere with you!" I screamed as I cried out for help now, Exon's grip getting tighter by the second. "Irvine!!! Somebody!!! Help me!!!" I yelled out. Before I could yell anymore, a cloth was placed over my mouth and nose.

"I didn't want to resort to this but if you won't come easily…then I guess we'll just have to force you." Darrien said, very calm and collected like.

I was almost sure that it was chloroform on the cloth, but if it was, I would be unconscious by now. The chemical soon took effect over my body by causing all my muscles to be weak and useless. It felt like I was on fire suddenly. I couldn't control any part of my body. All I could do was look helplessly at the starry night sky, praying that Irvine would save me. But he didn't. Exon made sure the coast was clear as they dragged me into Garden. It was late at night now the Garden's students weren't allowed to be out past curfew. Just my luck, nobody would see me. Just when I thought all hope was lost, I heard a familiar voice.

Darrien and Exon started to move a little faster now. They quickly ducked into the Training Center's hallway and waited for the voice to pass. I looked on as I saw a cowboy clad man and a pigtailed gothic looking girl walking past our hallway.

"C'mon Irvine. You know you want to. I'll show you a great time." The girl slyly spoke as she hung off of him.

"No. I've had enough of you. You already locked me in my room for hyne knows how long."

"I thought it was funny though. I was just playing around Irvy." She giggled.

"Well I didn't. I've must go now. So leave me alone already." Irvine said as he pushed the girl away from him. He then looked down at his watch and cursed out loud.

"Oh shoot! Selphie is gonna be so mad at me! I just hope she'll understand…" Irvine said as his voice trailed off in the wrong direction.

The girl then turned tail and ran into the TC, meeting up with us about halfway down.

"Nicely done Penny. I have a gift for you later." Darrien smiled at her.

"Ooo…I can't wait!" She squealed.

They continued into the TC, going to a secluded area on the south east side. Penny then stopped in her tracks and kneeled down. She felt around on the ground for a few moments then pulling up on what seemed to be a handle. The large trap door opened to reveal a set of stairs. Darrien and Exon then carried me down them to a large, dimly lit room. It had a large bed up against one wall, a computer on a desk near that, a couch, and a tv set. I was thrown onto the bed like a rag doll once we reached it.

"Welcome to your new home, Selphie." Darrien giggled. "Cause you won't be leaving for a long time…"