Chapter Sixteen: Distress (Seifer)
I was irritatingly fidgety on the train back to Balamb and Garden. So much so, I even annoyed myself. And the happy tourist passengers, which is pretty difficult when they're usually in such a good mood. I kind of felt proud that I'd managed to irk those bastards I hate so much, so I fidgeted and looked smug at the same time.
Inside I was in a bit of a turmoil-slash-crisis as I began to panic over whether I'd come back to devastation, or Wyvern really pissed of with me, perhaps with Gaia not too pleased either and Cid... well, let's not have any high hopes for those exams or a place to stay in Garden anymore.
I sighed heavily and tried to distract myself with some Hyperion polishing – not that the gunblade has been any shinier than recently since I don't remember running my rag over it this much in such a short space of time.
Stopping off at Timber made me thing strongly of Wyvern and her experiences here along with my own little jaunt here fucking everyone's plans up.
It was the first time I had met the Sorceress, technically Ultimecia in the body of Edea, Matron. When I'd done the stupidest thing I could...
Those times are past now, though and I guess I have a job to do – pass my exams and take care of my new posse in the form of Wyvern and Gaia.
The train jolted as it breezed along the tunnels under the sea and I shook my head, feeling increasingly guilty about my stupidity for leaving Garden at such a crucial time – I bet Ryden was waiting for a perfect moment like that to strike.
I took a few angry breaths before calming down and focusing on the tasks at hand.
Find Wyvern and Gaia. Make sure they're alright and if Ryden has hurt them, I'll rip his throat out.
Sorted.
I glared at a man with a typical tourist hat on watching me and he smiled like a Cheshire cat before coming over.
"Hey, have you been to Balamb before?" he asked with interest and I gave him a cool look with a baring of teeth to try and intimidate him, but he merely looked at me expectantly.
I gave in and my face fell.
"Yes, I've lived near there for years," I answered in a monotonous tone accompanied by a deadpan expression to try and deter him.
He simply became eager and grinned. "Excellent! Is it a good holiday resort?" he persisted me with questions and I rolled my eyes when he wasn't looking and stood up, dragging Hyperion onto my shoulder with a grimace.
"It's a quiet village that doesn't need people like you tourist bothering it," I growled close to his face and stalked off to a more secluded part of the train.
This is taking too long! I need to get back home to Garden, now!
My antsy feelings didn't go away as I thought of Wyvern and Gaia.
Wyvern – girl who makes me a good person, considerate and feel the need to do the 'right thing'. Both of us share common ground with the whole changing who we are thing, you know except hers were more successful than me.
Gaia – girl who irked me to no end, but also made me feel a little more part of Garden and I guess she sort of became a friend of sorts. Also apparently changing who she is, or was from the massive fight between her and Wyvern that brought out all sorts of facts.
I wonder if they're awake? Or trying to kill each other again?
Hmm, I don't think Wyvern wants to do that anymore – she seemed really unhappy about what she'd done after the battle. I hope they're alright.
"BING, BING, BING! This train is now stopping at Balamb. Repeat, this train is now stopping at Balamb. Thank you. BING, BING, BING!" the female announcer crackled over the intercom system and I eagerly got up and headed to the door.
Sure enough the train slowed down and ground to a halt out form under the sea in Balamb's station.
I strolled and immediately pounded over to the car rental with a stern look.
"I'd like to rent a car," I began, but couldn't find any Gil in my pockets. The guy I'd seen before who I didn't like watched me lazily as I frantically searched through my pockets for some change – any change.
But nothing. The guy raised an eyebrow and I scowled before walking out of the village and swinging Hyperion out in front of me and checking through my junctioning until I felt satisfied and ventured out, cutting across the expanse of grassland to get there as quick as possible, while coming across the occasional Bite Bugs and giving them a single thrust of my blade to destroy them in my path.
I trounced all creatures in my way and powered along to the looming building that was Garden. The gates were open, as usual and I walked in as if nothing had happened, ignoring the whispers of students noticing my return.
I marched into Garden and slid through the small 'in' gate, preparing to go on a rampage search until...
"SEIFER," a stern voice pierced the air as I stomped purposefully up to the information board where Cid stood, looking distinctively ticked off.
"What? I don't have time for this!" I complained and focused my glaring eyes upon the man.
Cid frowned and crossed his arms.
"They'll be in the Infirmary with Ryden Fords! Now where have you been?!" he shouted, causing students to stare.
"Out. I need have to go find Wyvern and Gaia!" I protested and left for the Infirmary. Cid went to say something, but fell silent as I fast disappeared down the corridor into the Infirmary, only to find it empty.
I growled and stalked back to Cid, looking angry.
"They're gone. Ryden's got them! I should of known he was some kind of psycho if I thought he was okay!" I berated and Cid remained in a worried silence.
"They're... gone?" he finally broke his stupor and looked sternly into my fierce eyes.
I nodded and began to feel frantic as I felt time slipping by and potentially costing Wyvern and Gaia precious time.
"Where the... heck... are they?!" I grimaced in front of Cid and sprinted into the library desperately for someone to tell me where they were, past the central lift shaft along into the quiet section of Garden.
No Wyvern or Gaia. I went to the back of the library to investigate further, only to come up with nothing and paused in anger before I stormed up to the girl behind the counter.
"Have you seen a girl with scars along her back?" I asked forcefully and the girl shook her head.
"No – I don't think so. Wasn't she in the Infirmary?" she worriedly replied and I frowned.
"Look – what's your name?" I began and she blinked.
"Gert," she answered and the name sounded familiar.
"Well, Gert, can you give me any information about the girls that were in the Infirmary?" I nearly growled, my patience was being so tightly stretched to the limit.
"W-well, Doctor Kadowaki might know. She's in the lab section with Common Ailments of the Hospital Bound she just checked out," Gert said with wide, frightened eyes and I grinned.
"Thanks!" I yelled as I sprinted out of the room, down the corridor and burst back into the main section of Garden.
I charged across to the Infirmary, passing a stunned Cid as I went. Why hadn't I thought of the lab before? She stays there so often and I overlooked it! This is all my damn fault if Wyvern and Kaira end up dead!
I entered the Infirmary and slowed down before composing myself and strolling into the sectioned off lab portion of the Infirmary.
Dr. K sat looking very worried as I approached her.
"Dr. K, have you seen Wyvern or Gaia?" I asked breathlessly and the woman looked startled and stood.
"What? Seifer! What are you doing here?!" she began and I shook my head.
"No time – have to find Wyvern and Gaia," I replied with a frown and Dr. K shook her head as if I were mad.
"They're in the Infirmary, Seifer," she told me and I shook my head.
"Gone. Ryden too," I replied swiftly and concern shot across her face.
"What?! Gaia isn't even conscious last I checked!" she cried and bustled past me to find empty beds.
She noticed something on the floor and picked it up with interest, before gasping.
"Hyne, he gave the girl sedatives! No wonder she didn't wake up – he'd been keeping her out!" she turned to me with a serious expression.
"We need security to get Ryden Fords. He's probably taken the girls with him," she told me and headed to the phone.
My blood ran cold at the thought of what that bastard Ryden could be doing right now – torturing them or worse...
"Yes... we need to find him right away... he could indeed be dangerous... thank you, bye," Dr. K placed the phone down with shaking hands and I felt a severe urgency to find Ryden and bash his brains in, now.
"That's all we can do right now," Dr. K sighed and my jaw hardened.
"No way – I'm not gonna stand around while they're in danger!" I snapped and stormed out back to where Cid began directing students in an attempt to find Ryden and the girls.
I went past him up the stairs to the lift and hit the button to go up, until...
"What the?" I blurted and looked closely at a hatch in the lift. It hadn't been put back properly. Not caring about the other students, I hit the emergency stop button, causing a jolt and investigated further.
"Fucking bastard..." I cursed and ripped the plate off, then peered into the gloom.
Shouldering Hyperion, I climbed down and felt for the steel ladder with my feet before disappearing into the darkness.
I quietly climbed down and felt like I'd never get to the bottom when my foot got a shock when it hit solid ground and recoiled slightly from the impact. I silenced a curse and snuck along the passage apprehensively, until I heard talking and shouting – Ryden and Wyvern. My heart jumped and I felt the adrenalin begin to pump as I came closer to the arguing...