--None of the Characters belong to me. © Square Soft
Bang!
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Chapter 19
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Let the bodies hit the floor....
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Leon
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Hmm, if I were Riku... Where would I be?
He left with Cloud and Sora that day.... To go to Cloud's place no doubt. But where the hell does Cloud live. I can't believe I slept with him all those times and never once did it at his place..... Hmmm...
This is going to be difficult. But at least I don't have the police to worry about...
Damn.. I want a cigarette...
Maybe I should quite smoking.... I don't like being all fidgety every time I'm low on nicotine. Yeah.. I think I'll quite...
A lot of changes are about to be made... Within myself. Good changes... For Sora. So I can be with him.... I know I've done some awful things... Hopefully he'll find it in his heart to forgive me...
Back to the task at hand. I know for sure that Cloud doesn't live anywhere close by. So he has to drive... or take the train to get to his place. Come to think of it.... Sora used to take the train all the time to go see Cloud. So that means I've been looking in the wrong places. Time to go Downtown.
It's strange. How easily I can blend in amidst the rest of the Traverse Town populace. I'm a wanted man... supposedly. Everyone should have torches and pitch forks armed so they can drag me down. That's not the case however. Even though I'm wearing a hood, covering my eyes, and no body really knows what I'm wearing, people don't seem to notice me. I'm not trying to draw attention to myself or anything. But I'm not trying to be sneaky either.
It could also be that, people around here just don't give a damn. They're all fugitives or criminals in their own right. If they call the police on me.. they call the police on themselves.
I bet if a reward was put up for me though... someone would notice me.
Over head a flurry of snow was starting to fall. The air instantly got cold and I pulled my bomber jacket tighter around me. My Gunblade was a nice reassuring weight at my side and it would thud dully against my hip with each step I took. To many onlookers it looked like a musical instrument of sorts warped in cloth. I'm not stupid enough to walk around with a 3 foot razor sharp blade out in the open.
When was the last time I went to the train station....? Hell the first time I ever rode the train was coming into this Hellish place... I've never ridden it since. To go anywhere really. Everything I needed was right nearby. Walking distance from my quaint and slightly cozy little hovel of a home. Now that I think about it.... why the hell did I ever come here?
To this place?
To Traverse Town....
Mostly because I had nowhere else to go. I was a wanted man back then too... But anyway... after I settle things once and for all and get Sora back... We're going to leave this place. I'd say we'd move downtown, where the streets are paved with gold and every one has a white picket fence outside their front yard.... but... I'm not sure I even want to stay there.... I just want to get AWAY from this PLACE period.
Speaking of getting away... I need to check my bank account...
Even though... I'm kind of scared to go up to an ATM right now... those things have video cameras hooked up in them....
Lets see... the last time I withdrew any funds was... to... I think go grocery shopping.... Yes... Sora went that day... that was.... about 300 I took out.... so that'll leave me with.... 10 gran...
"This is Nancy Andrews reporting live from Uptown Traverse....."
At the sound of that familiar TV voice I lost my train of thought and turned to my left. I was standing in front of a dinky, yet quite popular, bar. The front door was open wide and I could hear the television blaring loudly. There must be some kind of Blitz Ball game on tonight.... Men and women, drunk off their asses, were booing at the news for interrupting their game. I walked up to the door and leaned in to listen. Heat from the interior was mixing with the frosty air outside, making a thick frothy steam just inside the door way. Hopefully no one would notice me.
"Aww, not this shit again." One of the men inside barked up at the TV in frustration. A pretty blonde girl was sitting on his lap and she frowned down at him.
"Shut it! This is important, don't you know that guy kidnapped a little boy?" She hissed and I could see her full attention on the TV. A few more people were eagerly focused on the small screen, eyes unblinking. I squinted slightly, to see the blurry noise ridden screen. The bartender cursed and promptly struck the side of the TV with his huge fist. The picture cleared up instantly.
"Do you think they finally caught him?" Someone whispered. I scoffed silently. If only they knew who was standing just behind their backs. Hahaha....
"The man hunt is still on for the notorious Squall LeonHeart AKA Leon."
I'm notorious...? Oh yeah... I did kind torch the 3d district huh....
"As of this moment authorities are still in the dark on this ruthless criminals whereabouts. He was last seen trespassing on 25 year old Aeris Gainsboroughs' property, where he attempted to physically assault and rape the young women."
I did NOT try to rape her! Christ!
"Following those terrifying events LeonHeart allegedly sat fire to his home in District 3 as well as destroyed nearly a third of the bustling community."
Did she just say bustling...? sigh
"And as recently announced 19 year old Tim Jennings has been claimed missing. It's been 5 days now and still no word of his whereabouts. There has been no ransom claiming Leon indeed has young Tim and at first the police weren't going to file a missing report.... and.... Oh what's this.... we have some new information folks.... I've just received word that an anonymous call has led police to believe LeonHeart is hiding away in the old abandoned Inn in district 2!"
I smiled just slightly.
Here we go.
A wave of gasps and 'no ways' rang across the overly packed bar. People starting chatting amongst themselves about the newest revelation. They were barely paying attention to the news now. I kept listening though.
"As of this moment the Traverse SWAT Team is preparing a full infiltration of the tattered complex."
As if on cue the sound of tires screeching to a halt, many footsteps, and the ominous clicking of many guns filled the air. I looked to my left again, this time to the gate separating District 1 and 2. I was currently in District 1. I could see the helicopters and search lights starting to illuminate the sky.
They were... really going all out...
HAHAHAHAHAHA! This is so fucking funny. I'm not even in there!
But... this is further evidence that they weren't fucking around anymore... Hmm...
I backed away from the bar door as a pile of people started to speed out to see what the commotion was all about. Some of their faces were filled with awe, while others looked scared out of there minds.
"Are they gonna.... shoot up the place..." Someone asked. I noticed quite anxiously that the crowd of people was starting to get bigger. People were swarming out of their homes and stores to see what was going on.
Opp... time for me to make my graceful exit.
"What if some stray bullets come this way?..."
"Don't get too close..."
"It's looks like they're about to start a war over there... damn... This guys got himself into some serious shit..."
Ha.. maybe I have... Stupid cops. I find it interesting how they suddenly want to take me out... for a crime.. I can't even freaking remember committing. But when I called on them for help.. when I was in danger... did they come to my aid....?
Hell no.
"It's been awhile since this much ruckus has gone down in this city..."
I tilted my head to the side and noted the rather thick bodied old bartender was standing in the door way. His glassy eyes reflected the search lights. He didn't look slightly interested or amused by the movie quality spectacle taking place barely a mile away.
"Considering the reputation this place has.. You'd think peopled be used to stuff like this..." The old man pulled out a shot glass from his apron and absently started to shine it. "Most people.. just wanna live in peace when they come here though. This place..." He held up the shot glass, examined it, then went back to glossing it over. "...it's for the lost really... People come to this city.. In hopes of salvaging what little bit of their existence they have left."
It was starting to snow harder now.
The old man went on. I was compelled to keep listening to him for some reason.... despite my better judgment to haul ass before someone recognized me.
"The prostitutes.." He inclined his head towards the blonde girl from earlier.
"The drunken blue collar worker...." He inclined his head again towards a frail balding man with glasses who's eyes were glossed over in a haze of drunken ecstasy. He watched the light show with a absent smile.
The old bartender turned his head to me and for the first time I think he realized he was actually talking to someone. I regarded him wearily.
"People like you." He said with a slight matter of fact tone. He held the shot glass out in front of him and I know he was capturing my figure through the glass.
"It just takes time... but eventually... people find their way. You will too."
I gaped beside myself... Did he.. know who I was...?
"What bugs me though... is no body really knows why this guy went off the deep end."
The old man went back to shining his glass. My feet just wouldn't move.
"I mean, people just don't go postal without a reason. Even if it's stupid to the rest of us..." He blew a frosty bit of air onto the glass before taking a cloth to it again.
"I already know how this is gonna end. No questions... just shoot. Weather he's armed and dangerous or not... I've seen it happen many a times... I feel for those fools..."
I frowned. I'm NO fool.
"I'm not a religious man.... but I'll pray for this guy regardless... Pray that he... gets to say his piece, make amends.... at least before they shoot him down..."
The man looked at me again. I took a step back.
"So... you made amends yet?"
No way....
I couldn't respond.. just stand there, eyes wide.
"You must have done something bad in the past to be here in this hell hole town. So you asked for forgiveness yet?"
I shook my head.
"Shame... well, you still got time. Do it now while you still can...."
The man turned his back on me.
"You used come by here a lot. You've got a face I could never forget. Those eyes of yours. They... reflect many hardships..."
One of his big hairy arms went up to lean on the door frame.
"You used to sit here in that dark corner of the bar and drink yourself into oblivion... You'd be so far gone you couldn't even remember your name... But you'd get up, and walk home on your own... I used to wonder if you made it... Somebody like you, I gotta admit, don't look very tough... But looks can be deceiving right? You proved me wrong a dozen times... cause you'd be back the next day to do it all over again. I used to think, that's one bad son-of-a-bitch right there, and I used to wonder.. what the hell made you this way... what made you keep going."
He lowered his arm.
"I still don't know.. and if the cops catch you, no one ever will. So while you've still got the chance kid... make amends... and get the hell outta here."
He didn't have to tell me twice. I bounced the hell out of there at top speed, kicking up snow as I went. A guy I only knew as... 'the Bartender' of that one bar... just let me get away... knowing full well I've fucked up somehow....
This place is... most definitely strange....
Something told me I should be worried. Someone saw me.. hell even talked to me... He might call the police on me... He might be aiming his sawed off shot gun at the back of my head right now... I didn't look back though. And ran all the way to the train station.
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Cloud
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So much has happened. Just... 2 months ago my life was... normal. And now it's... upside down...
The sun peeked in through the blinds and I squinted at the overly bright UV rays.
Here I lay, with the one person I love more then I love myself.
Sephiroth...
He's done so much without asking for anything in return. He got involved.... because he wanted to. For a long time, since I found out about all of this drama with Riku and Sora... I never would have thought the term 'small world' could relate to me. How wrong I was. All of this time I tried to keep Seph from getting involved, only to find out, he was there when it all began.
I mean back from the VERY start he was there.
Seph, as a child, killed Seifer. Leon's abusive, drug addicted boyfriend.
Seph killed him.
Seph was a little boy.
Now... Leon's... 'possessed' by Seifer and wants to kill Riku....
At first I didn't understand. What's Riku got to do with this now... If Seph is the one that really killed Seifer.
Here I go... try and keep up with me okay.
Seifer loved Squall to the point that he'd kill him if Squall ever tried to break up with him. Squall did try to leave him after one totally horrible abusive episode. By freak accident, Seifer was impaled during an argument they had. Squall supposedly finished him off by running him through deeper with the blade. It was self defense by all rights and purposes. Seifer didn't die. 14 year old Sephiroth just happened to be an eye witness of this scene after he'd tried to get help for Squall by calling the police. Squall fled once he'd realized what he'd done. Sephiroth stayed behind to make sure Seifer was really dead. Another freak moment led Sephiroth to decapitate Seifer, finally bringing an end to his ruthless rampage.
All of this time Leon believed he'd murdered Seifer... When it was in truth Sephiroth who'd taken the bastard out.
Onto what's happening now. Leon in in love with Sora. Sora's a little 16 year old boy who... in all honesty could be Leon's younger brother.... So he could be a young Squall. Okay, then there's Riku. Riku could easily pass as Sephiroth's son, brother, or a version of him when he was 17. Yeah.... Now here's the tricky part.
Leon/Squall is a schizophrenic. He's got multiple personalities.
One being his own, as in Leon/Squall.
The other being Seifer, as in his abusive mentally challenged late boyfriend.
Still with me..? Okay.
Sephiroth killed Seifer right? When he was 14.
Riku could be a MIRROR image of Sephiroth when he was around that age.
Seifer has a grudge against young Sephiroth for killing him and helping Squall escape.
Sora looks like Squall/Leon, who has an infatuation with Sora, who also happens to have Seifers personality. Remember Seifer was madly in love with Squall.
Still with me right? Okay.
So, and I came to this conclusion after hours and hours of thought and contemplation;,
Leon/Seifer isn't after Riku because he's trying to take Sora away. Leon/Seifer is after Riku because he thinks Riku is YOUNG Sephiroth, who killed him almost 12 years ago.
Whew. Did you get all of that?
I looked absently up at the ceiling waiting for Aeris and Cid to reply over the phone. They were silent for a LONG time.
"So.. let me get this creepy ass shit straight.... Leon's after Riku because he really thinks he's Sephiroth?"
"Yes." I nodded absently, happy I'd explained things so clearly.
"And... he wants to kill Riku.. to get back at Sephiroth for killing him...?"
Aeris said this time. I responded happily again.
"Something ain't right...." Cid said softly. My face went slack.
Huh?
"I get the whole bit about Seifer wanting to kill Sephiroth.. but how does he get Riku confused for him... I know those two look alike and all but...."
"It's because Seifer wouldn't know what I look like now."
I turned and looked at Seph, who was half awake, with wide eyes. Had he been listening in the whole time?
"I'm telling Cid and Aeris the whole story now." I mentioned. Seph groaned and snuggled closer to me. I took his words into account.
"Seifer only remembers what Seph looked like as a kid. He wouldn't know what he looks like now..." I told Aeris and Cid. Cid made a sound of comprehension.
"Yeah... and I bet the crazy fuck hasn't seen old' Sephy boy since you've been with him." Cid let out a boisterous laugh. "Cloud, do you know what this means!? Fuck, we've got an advantage."
I sat up in the bed and looked across the room. Listening as hard as I could. Aeris was agreeing with Cid.
"Listen, if Leon... er.. Seifer.. or whoever the fuck he is doesn't really know what Sephiroth looks like, we can lure him out using that as our bait."
Uh oh.. this doesn't sound good.
"Here me out, Cloud. That boyfriend o' yours. That's a BAD mother fucker laying next to you. You ever seen him fight? He may not look it, but I heard rumors back WAY before you started knocken' boots with him 'bout some crazy summoning type of shit he did back at the Olympus Coliseum. He was blowing all sorts of SHIT up! No body could take him down!"
Cid's vocabulary is so... flamboyant.
"And.. how will that help us find Leon." I asked, barely containing a laugh. This was supposed to be serious.
Cid scoffed.
"Who said anything about finding him? That's for you and Angel boy to figure out. I was just talk'en 'bout once we catch his skinny ass Seph can beat the flying fuck out of him. Bet'cha he won't be able to run away anymore."
Hahahahaha. I couldn't help but laugh that time....
Did he just call Seph Angel boy?
Aeris was laughing wearily in the background.
"Oh.. Cloud.. how are Sora and Riku doing. I haven't heard from them in a long time."
I don't think she'd really want to talk to Sora with the way he's been acting. And I'm not even sure about Riku. He seemed to be okay.... but....
"There.. alright.. they just want all of this mess to be over."
"Yeah, I don't fucking blame them. Poor little brats.... Little annoying asses have been through a lot..." Cid said.
Wow... that's the nicest thing I've ever heard come from his mouth. Usually he can't stand Sora and Riku.
"So you already called the police."
I paused.
"About that..." I started. It was true. I'd called the police and started to make the report. Strangely though.. as I told the story.. the police women cut me off saying a report similar to mine had already been made. No name was given of who made the report though. But the caller mentioned Leon raping 2 boys. Was it Sora or Riku who called in first?
"So the police know huh..?" Cid asked. I didn't know how to answer that. Yes, they knew two boys had been raped, but not what two boys or their names.
This was weird.
"Did you guys see the latest news report?" Aeris suddenly said. And I heard the familiar jingle of the news starting up in the background. It was silent for a time. Then I heard the echo of the news from Cid's end of the line.
"Cloud turn on your TV quick!" Aeris gasped.
I found the remote amidst the blanket and sheets and turned the TV on. MTV blared at me for a moment with the song "Let the bodies hit the floor" and I rapidly hit the volume button. Why the hell was that old music video running? I dismissed it and turned to channel 5. There on the screen was a big bright "NEWS UPDATE" logo in red. I flipped the channel to find the same thing. And again on the next channel.
Whoa.. what the hell was going on...?
"Mmm.. what is it...?" Seph groaned and went to rest his head in my lap so he wouldn't have to sit up to see the TV. I stared blankly at the screen waiting for the news reel to start up. It was just lots of blurry footage from a camera trying to get positioned at first.
"They need to fire him.." Seph said absently and yawned. I gave a quick stiff laugh at his comment.
"We seem to be having a bit of technical trouble ladies and gentlemen. Please bear with us."
A male reporter was speaking but was no where in sight. The screen split then into two frames. one showing the speaking man outside. Snow was being kicked up and flurrying all around him.
"For those of you just joining us, last night an anonymous tip was called in at the local police station giving them the exact location of fugitive Squall LeonHeart. He was said to be hiding out in the old abandoned Inn in District 2"
I gasped. Seph sat up.
"Early this morning a heated stand off was made as police tried to negotiate LeonHeart into coming out of the building. They feared if they tried to force their way into the building they could negatively provoke the man into harming his captive, 19 year old Tim Jennings."
"Cloud.. do you see this shit!" Cid yelled into the phone. I answered absently.
"Behind me the SWAT Team is preparing to barricade the door and infiltrate the building. So far, there's been no word from LeonHeart or his captive. It's now bright enough outside for a full on pursuit."
Behind the reporter where dozens of police cars. The area for what looked like a mile around had been taped off with a police line. Mob control was trying earnestly to keep the gathering people back, I'm assuming in case in case gun shots were traded. A few helicopters were circling the sky and I could see snipers set up in various complexes around the area. The camera was giving quite the dramatic performance.
"Who called this in?" Seph asked... rather calmly actually. I thought he'd start going off the deep end again... like last night. I watched him closely.
"No body knows...." I said carefully. Seph shifted so he wasn't leaning on me anymore and threw the covers off himself.
"This is all wrong..." He murmured. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain why he thought that. But the TV took my attention again.
The camera that had been malfunctioning was working now. A full screen of the interior of the shoddy old Inn could now be seen. The place looked like road kill run over 6 times inside. And man.. those rats were fucking huge. If Leon had been camping out in there... he really was crazy. Those rats where bigger then full grown cats....
"Look at this place..." One of the masked SWAT team members said off handedly, mindless of the camera following him. The camera swerved around to show the broken down interior of a few rooms the troops passed by. Some of them would go in rooms and come out in seconds then motion for the rest to continue on.
Seph, I noted was studying the TV very hard. But not really what was going on. He seemed to be watching the troops.
"They're so poorly trained..." He whispered. I raised an eyebrow to that. Like he could do better... Wait.... could he? Now that I think about it.... I don't really know much about....
That's a whole other topic altogether. makes note to mention that later
The team was now searching the second floor room by room. I've got to admit the suspense was killing me. If Leon was indeed in one of those rooms, they were going to find him in a matter of seconds. But so far.. the only thing that looked like it had been in this place for... hella years..... was rats... No sign of Leon or any living person for that matter at all.
"Cloud?" Aeris said softly.
"Yeah...?"
"They won't... start shooting will they? As soon as they reach the last room I mean..."
I shook my head. "I hope not..." If they do... and Leon and that kid are in there....
"He's not there." Seph said softly, standing up. I noted vaguely that he was stripping out of his boxers and headed towards the bathroom. I wanted to follow him. But this was no time for quickies. What did Seph mean Leon wasn't there...?
"He called that in himself." Seph finished and went into the bathroom. A few seconds later I heard the shower start up. I leapt out of bed. Ignoring the news. They'd broken into the last room and from what I'd seen, someone had indeed been there. But whoever it was, was gone now.
"Seph.. uh.. what do you mean he called it in himself...?" My attention went from the bathroom to the TV and back again.
Over the spray of water I heard Seph say;
"Leon made that anonymous call. To throw off the authorities... Aeris said she hadn't called in. You didn't call in either until just this morning. And I had a lock on my phone to keep Riku from calling out while he was over my place... And I doubt Sora called in... isn't he trying to help Leon get away? And you know for damn sure I didn't do it. So there you go. It's a strategy that gets used a lot actually. What better way to confuse the police then by.. literally turning yourself in. Only to escape out the back door while they are busy."
The back door...?
As in.. literally the back door out of the Inn... or...
I glanced back to the TV and froze. The new images on screen were positively disturbing.
Mostly because they could mean anything.
This room looked a little better then the others, but not by much. All of the trash and broken plaster had been moved aside to make a clean area near the bed. The door had been boarded off enough to let someone get out, but also barricaded to keep someone else from getting in. Plastic water bottles were stacked quite neatly in front of the bed on top of a semi clean blanket. It looked recently slept on. Beef jerky packages were piled near a battery powered heater that was off right now.
And then there was the bed.
At first glance it just looked dirty. But as it was inspected, those stains turned out to be dried blood stains. And there were other things mixed into the blood. A used condom was found tossed on the floor as well as some ripped cloth. Further inspection of the room led to the discovery of an empty medicine bottle. A few dead rats could be seen near the bottle, chalky white foam bubbling at their mouths. Whatever was in that bottle had not been for rats to eat.
The bottle had Leon's name on it. It was medicine he'd bought at the pharmacy.... The pharmacy in the same convenient store that Tim boy worked in.
Oh my god...
But still no sign of Leon or Tim...
The shower had been shut off. Seph came up behind me, a towel around his waist and glanced at the TV.
"I told you he wasn't there."
"Fucking shit!" Cid yelled. I remembered then I was still on the phone. Aeris just gasped and tried to repress a sob. She was so hoping Tim was safe now... No such luck...
"What the hell happened here... I thought they said... No way he could have fucking moved that fast....?" Cid barked. I pulled the phone away from my ear at his outburst.
Seph dried himself and got dressed and I found myself absently thinking of how many ways we could have made love just now.... damnit... I pushed those nice thoughts aside and went to stand by the window. From my apartment room I could see all the way across the city. District 2 wasn't that far away if you just looked outside. I could see helicopters pulling out from the scene and police cars making there way back to their respective precincts. So much for that...
Seph came to stand next to me, dressed, and seemingly ready to go somewhere.
"We don't have any more time. Leon's here now, he's downtown. And he's coming for Riku..."
I stared at Seph for a second.
"No.. he's coming after you... He just thinks Riku is you!" I corrected.
"Exactly." Seph said with a smile. I frowned.
"Cloud, tell Aeris and Cid to meet us at the Down Town plaza at 7 pm sharp okay."
Seph walked away and headed for the door. I noticed he shut the TV off as he passed by it. Why did he want to meet Aeris and Cid... at 7....?
"Guys..." I started. And told them Seph's meeting time. I didn't really know what he had planned. But I trusted him, and would stand behind him. Aeris and Cid agreed to meet us. And that was that for now. Once I got off of the phone I took a quick shower, dressed and followed Seph outside to the kitchen. Sora was laying across the couch... looking for all accounts... dead to the world. I nudged his leg and he looked up at me abruptly. His eyes were puffy and red. He'd been crying...
I have to admit... I didn't hear a damn thing that went on out here last night... Something bad happened it seemed. I looked around for Riku and noticed he was no where in sight.
Panic instantly shot through my heart.
Not again...
"Sora where's Riku!?" I yelled and snatched him off of the couch by the front of his shirt. Sora gave me a blank look and didn't answer.
"Did he leave again?!" I asked desperately. NO FUCKING WAY!!
"Answer me!" I dropped Sora onto the couch and went to the front door. Seph was already standing there, looking down into the hallway. I walked up behind him and felt relief wash over me. There was Riku curled up on the carpet fast asleep. But... why in the hallway?
"I'll get him." Seph said softly and went out to pick Riku up and carry him back inside. The boy latched onto Seph like a leech but didn't wake up.
I have to admit.. I was a little jealous at how close they had gotten. But there was no time for that now. We had a lot to talk about.
------
Sephiroth
------
If all goes well. This whole ordeal will be over by the end of the night.
It was 3 hours away from 7 o'clock. I'd spent all day explaining EVERYTHING to Sora and Riku. But I had to do it separately. First I spoke to Riku . He seemed okay with what was going on... but Sora.. was like a lifeless doll the entire time. He didn't speak... he barely moved. I had to keep nudging him to make sure he was listening....
What the hell happened between those two last night... is beyond me... But I have a feeling Riku finally spoke his mind.. and Sora couldn't handle it.
"Sora." I snapped and he eyed me with a weary glare. "Pay attention. This isn't a joke, understand. There's a strong possibility that Leon could want to kill you too." I saw Riku give me a confused look.
"If Leon's in his Seifer personality, then he's not just angry with me, or rather Riku, he's angry with you too Sora... or rather Squall. Understand that?"
Riku and Cloud got it. They shook their heads. Sora just stared at me. Unblinking.
"Now that you know the truth Sora, are you still hell bent on helping Leon escape?"
Still no reply. This kid... was really pissing me off.
"Hey Cloud, Riku. Could the two of you excuse us for a few minutes?" Riku didn't hesitate and got up to leave the room, not saying a word. Cloud stood and walked over to me.
"Go easy on him okay." He said softly and kissed me on the cheek. I smirked, rather evilly, and closed and locked the door behind him. Then I turned to Sora.
"You've got some real issues you know that." Screw this polite nice guy bullshit. I've had it with this kid.
Sora looked at me like he couldn't care less what I had to say. That was fine with me.
"So tell me, what exactly were you planning to do when you found Leon? Hmm? Take him into your arms and make all the pain go away. Forgive him again and again so he can think what he did was right, that it was okay to lash out at innocent people."
I spoke softly, slowly and calmly. I wasn't mad. But my temper was damn short right now.
"Sora, you read Leon's diary right? You know how much he suffered right?"
Sora continued to stare at me. I walked up to him and sat down.
"I was there Sora. It's all fine and good that you think you know how much he went through... But I saw it kid. Let me tell you this, I tried to get him help over a dozen times and he turned it down. Leon chose to stay with Seifer and let the abuse continue. I know this for a fact. So get this delusional fantasy that we're all going to live happily ever after out of your head. It's too late for Leon. It was a long time ago."
Sora gave me a rebellious stare and I sighed.
"Sora, Leon, the Leon you know, doesn't really exist. He's just a make believe recreation of a nicer, gentler Seifer. Being in a abusive relationship makes people bitter.. it makes them cold and extremely untrustworthy. As much as you claim you love Leon.. it's not being returned. He loves you solely on the thought that he believes you ARE Squall. Think of Leon as a combination mix of Seifer and Squall. That's who you fell in love with. Leons' so confused right now that he doesn't know weather to kill you or kiss you."
Sora squinted. He was listening now.
"I killed Seifer 12 years ago. Not Squall. It's not Riku, Leon is after. It's me. And then he's going to kill you. Think of it this way." I sat down in front of Sora again and tried to explain things to him like he was 3 years old.
"Sora, you are Squall. Riku is me, Sephiroth. Leon is Seifer."
And realization finally made it's way across his face. I smiled.
"...You mean... Leon never... He never loved... me....?"
I shook my head. "And that whole thing about you loving Squall...Yeah Cloud told me that... It's bullshit. You never knew Squall to love him in the first place."
Now the kid gets it. This was going to be so much easier now.
"....So Seifer, whose Leon... hates me.. because... he thinks I'm Squall... And he wants to kill Squall...?"
"Yes." I folded my arms.
"And he hates.. Riku... because he thinks he's you... so he wants to kill him too... for you killing him...?"
"As creepy and confusing as that sounds, yes."
At last he understands.
"...Leon's... here...?"
I made a grim face.
"Yes..." I said softly.
Sora's blue eyes got extremely wide and he stood up slowly. It was like... being baptized...
He saw the light.
Finally.
"Oh.. shit..."
I nodded.
"Yup."
------
Cloud
------
At roughly 6:59 we met up with Aeris and Cid. It just so happens a parade was going on that night. So there were lots of people out. Perfect for us to blend in. We went around and absently enjoyed some of the festivities. A welcome change from the overly dramatic days that have passed. I was really enjoying myself and almost forgot entirely why we'd come out here to begin with.
The various lights from the parade lit up the sky and snow that littered the ground. It was like walking across a crystalline rainbow. People from all over Traverse had come out tonight, in spite of the dark events just recently taking place, to enjoy some simple pleasures.
Seph bought Riku and Sora pretty much anything they asked for. Cotton candy, licorice, gummy bears, we made a joke about gummy Sephy's needing to be made, every kind of fizzy drink we could find, and way to many corn dogs.
Riku was acting a little out of character, but for the most part, better then how I'd seen him acting in the few days before he'd run away. He wasn't talking much, but he was smiling somewhat. He'd almost seemed to change overnight. Which leads me to believe something really.. bad happened between him and Sora last night... Riku wasn't even looking in Sora's direction... And I know for a fact just how obsessed that kid is with Sora.. something was really strange...
Sora... What to say about him? He ate his cotton candy and ice cream in silence. The kids usually a chatter box, asking ga-jillions of questions a second with only one breath. But not tonight. It wasn't as bad as when he was held up in my apartment... He wouldn't even move sometimes... But it was still weird....Well.. all I can do is hope things get worked out between those two.. I won't interfere in their relationship.
Seph saw me being all contemplative and scooped some ice cream onto the tip of his finger and dabbed it on my nose. I blinked. Aeris and Cid chuckled. Riku rolled his eyes. Sora wasn't paying attention.
"You're supposed to be having fun." Seph said softly and ran his tongue.. very seductively across his ice cream. I felt my loins stir. A blush burst across my face and I had to turn away.
"Oh geez." Cid said. I could hear a gag on the tip of his tongue. Aeris and Riku just laughed. "You two ain't gonna fuck right here in front of everyone are ya?" Cid hissed playfully. Aeris yelped in a girly manner at Cid's vulgar words and repressed a giggle. Riku, who'd been drinking a slushy, spit it all over the place.
"Want to watch?" Seph said huskily at Cid and pulled me into a very slippery, strawberry flavored tongue kiss.
IN FRONT OF EVERYONE! OO
Did somebody just whistle? BLUSH
Aeris was hiding her face for some odd reason. Cid was bark laughing at the whole scene. And I think.. Riku's gawking at us. I couldn't hide my laughter after that. Ah.. this felt good. Just enjoying stupid things like this with people I cared about. This whole moment would be utterly perfect if Yuffie had been here. I have a strange feeling she'd have a digital camera with her though....
We went to the games section of the parade and Seph asked me if I wanted this blue teddy bear with a white heart on it's belly. I asked how much more feminine could I get by asking him for it.... then I said yes I wanted the bear. Only cause he suggested it though. Seph actually won 6 bears. It was one of those knock the bottles over and win a prize type of games. Seph paid for 6 games, then got 6 balls, and knocked over all 6 stacks of all the bottles. In one toss. MY BABY is SO COOL!
He let me, Sora, Riku, and Aeris pick out a bear each. He tried to give a pink one to Cid, but Cid didn't want it. Aeris took it instead. Haha.
I had to wipe my eyes of the tears they'd collected from me laughing so hard that night. I was having so much fun right now. The only thing that could ruin this night was... well I won't jinx us....
And so for another 2 hours we enjoyed ourselves. By 9:30 we met up at the Plaza fountains to get down to business.
So here's Seph's plan. He wants to take Riku to the police station and have him make a public announcement to lure Leon to him. Seph assumes because of Leon's current state, he won't try anything really stupid.. Like try and murder Riku on open ground or anything. Plus we'll have snipers and police and bullet proof vests protecting us and everything. We brought along Leon's old Diary and let Cid and Aeris read it in turn. Aeris already knew a few things about Leons' history from that fateful night at her house.
After about an hour of revealing revelations back and forth Seph made a call to the police station. I'm not sure about everything he said.. but he sounded... remarkably like a General while he was talking. Almost like he was giving direct orders to the police. I had no idea Seph was so.... in the know of police etiquette.
The night was starting to linger on and everyone, at least I was, starting to get a bit on edge. Well.. minus Seph. He's never on edge...
Even though it was starting to get late, the parade was still going at full force. A marching band playing I believe "Hikari" the orchestral version came through. Seph danced with me for a moment, swinging me around like we were two teenagers frolicking in the springtime. Aeris hummed the music while she and Riku made snow men. Seph said all we could do was wait now. For what.. I'm not sure.
------
Riku
------
This is sooo fun! Man, I haven't done stuff like this since..., since a long time.
Seph and Cloud are so great. I can't believe I ever tried to come between those two. Not intentionally... but I had tried... Watching them kiss, share goodies, dance together, and just enjoy each others company made my heart sting with pain. I remember when Sora and I used to be like that.
When did things.. turn so bad....?
Every relationship has it's ups and downs... It's only natural that they do... But Sora and I just.. went down... and never even attempted to come back up... What was the start of all this...? Something before this whole Leon mess...
I always thoughts Sora and I were perfect for each other....
Was I wrong to think that way....?
Looking beyond everything that's happened in the last 2 years.. hell almost 3 years ago come next month..... If I'd never suggested leaving the Island... If I'd never gotten so jealous.. Would things be different now...? Would things be better...?
How could they be? I was miserable on that floating rock called a home. Unlike Sora, I don't have anything wonderful, like great parents, to go back too. My mother probably wouldn't even remember me now.... She's probably had another kid.
The only part about that, that makes me sad is that my mom couldn't just.. accept me for who I was... I was a good kid.. just not what she expected me to be... sigh Anyway, I've got to forget about her... I doubt I'll ever go back home... I probably can't even if I wanted too. But what about Sora... Deep inside.. I think he wants to go home... Unlike me, Sora has people waiting for him... People that care and love him so much... what am I compared to dozens of people? He can argue that they only liked him... to get close to me if he wants.. but it was the other way around...
I used to envy Sora.. and his wonderful life.
But for him to wish so much harm on me.... Christ... I don't know what... No.. Stop Riku... Stop blaming yourself... True you screwed up.. But so does everybody else. It's not like I haven't learned from my mistakes. I've learned a hell of a lot. I know this is just another hurdle in life I have to get over.. and I'm willing to fight to make it across.. It's just hard sometimes... Hard to deal with this alone...
I want Sora by my side. But.. I can't be with someone that.. wishes hurt... pain... even death on me... I just can't be..
I can't believe all of those things Sora said was true.. He was angry, just like I was. We said a bunch of things we didn't mean. Sora's not that kind of person. Sure he's... nice to people that treat him like trash... but he's only that way because he doesn't like chaos. But... what about people that are always nice to Sora? Like me. Like I said I'd do anything for him.
Why can't I be more like Seph? Why can't I just be calm and collected and let things flow?
I was so sure Cloud and Sephiroth were going to be yelling and screaming once Cloud found out what had been going on over at Seph's apartment.. But no such thing happened. And I'm sure Seph told Cloud. Those two love each other enough.... to risk everything.
That's how much I love Sora.
I'd risk everything for him.
I'd die for him.
Looking around I noted absently that he wasn't near by. He'd been watching Aeris and me building our snow man for while. Then he walked away. I looked up and saw him sitting on the fountain staring down into the heated pool of water.
We needed to talk. For real this time. No yelling, no screaming, and no swearing.
I hope he listens. I squared my shoulders and walked over to the fountain. I saw Cid look up from him sitting post, sipping some hot coco, and watch me. Once he noticed I wasn't walking too far away he went back to minding his business.
I told Sora I was going to leave... and probably not come back. I lied. I made a promise to myself. I won't run away again.
Ever.
------
Leon
------
Well isn't this just perfect. Nice night for a party. No one's going to notice me in all of this chaos. I couldn't have asked for better camouflage.
The last thing I'd expected was a huge street crowding parade to be taking place the moment I stepped off of the train. It was like stepping into another country.. let alone another part of town. Hard to believe all of this.. beauty is only a 45 minute train ride away. I've heard great things about Downtown Traverse... but I never would have guessed...
....The streets are really paved with gold... Okay it's yellow brick but still... All this glitter from the parade floats makes it look like gold.
I made a bee line for a hot dog stand. The aroma sung to me. And my growling stomach yelled at me. It had been a while since I ate last. The steam from the mini broiler filled the air and I practically floated over to stand in line. It was a short wait and I was cradling my dog like it was a rare artifact.
Haaaaahg, fooood.
Drink in one hand, hot dog in the other I went to find a place to sit and eat. I leaned against a tree instead, opting to stand just in case I need to make a break for it. I went to take a bite but the sound of fire works going off scared the shit out of me and made me jump.
Sounded like... gun shots...
I almost dropped my damn hotdog too... I would have been... so mad...
The fire works kept going off but I ignored them. Noting how much different, if not almost exactly like, how close they sounded to gun shots.
I'd just sunk my teeth into my hotdog and was looking around absently. I froze mid chew....
What... the... fuck...?
I kept chewing and went to hide myself behind the tree I leaned on. I peeked around the trunk while trying not to look too suspicious.
Is that... Is that Cloud?
Speak of the devil.
And Aeris too! Holy shit... There goes Cid...
I tilted my head. A bit confused... Who is this tall guy with them....? I almost thought that was Riku.... He.. kind of looks like Riku...
I squinted and took another bite of my hotdog. It was starting to get cold.
I was.. confused about something now... Who is this guy with Cloud...? I swear I've seen him somewhere before.... Not recently though... God he looks so fucking much like Riku... Maybe that is.. Riku... But that kids not THAT tall... Is he?
I looked around for a minute and my eyes landed on the object of my obsession. There was Sora, sitting away from the rest of the group by himself on the fountain. I was too far away to really see his face so I couldn't tell what his expression was. He looked.... kind of sad from his slumped over position though.
I smiled beside myself. I was so close.
I could easily walk up to Sora and....
My eyes went wide for a brief moment, then they narrowed into a vicious glare. There he was... that little cock sucking bastard! He was the cause of all of this! He tried to make Sora leave me... He tried to take him away from me!
Riku.....
And at that moment my vision shifted to the right again.
To that man with long silver hair....
Then back to Riku...
Now... wait a minute...
There are 2 of them...
GASP
"You'll never hurt Squall again..."
It's...
It's that kid....
What was his name....?
The tall silver haired guy turned around finally and I saw his face and eyes. It all came flooding back to me then... And I knew exactly who this person was. I slinked back behind the tree and absently fingered the hilt of my Gunblade. A crooked, victorious smile made it's way across my face.
So now it all makes sense.
Sephiroth.
Boy, did I have a surprise for him.
------
Riku
------
"Sora..." I said softly. He looked up and regarded me coolly for a moment.
"Can... can I talk to your for a minute...?"
Sora stared at me again for along moment before he nodded and scooted over a bit to give me a warm place to sit. I didn't really know where to start this... I won't do it like last time.. No yelling... No blaming each other back and forth... I was just about to say something when Sora beat me to it...
"I wanna be with you." He said and pulled me into a tight embrace. I'm was so surprised I didn't now what to do. I hugged him back.... a bit relieved.
But... this was too easy....
"Sora.... I...."
"I was so stupid Riku... I hurt you... I said so many cruel things to you..." Sora buried his face in my jacket and I felt him sobbing.
No.. no.. not this again...
"I'm... so sorry for everything I did and said... I... I never wanted you to get hurt.... that way... I wanted to see you sad.. But not miserable, not suicidal, not hurt...."
Sora pulled away from me then looked me in the face.
"I love you Riku. And I was so... blinded by my anger.. by jealously and stupidity that... that... I..."
"Sora stop, please..." I grabbed his shoulders and shook him once roughly.
"Don't do this.. not again. Enough with the self accusations already. That's so not why I came to talk to you...."
Sora sniffled and wiped at his eyes. His cold cheeks flushed with red and his baby blue eyes chipped in ice. I wanted to kiss him all over right here and now.
"I came to ask you... What is that you want... out of our relationship? I want to be with you.... but... not yet... we still both have.. so many things we need to work out in ourselves. I think we need to start over."
Sora nodded in agreement. I smiled and absently rubbed my hands through his hair. It had been so long since I'd been this close to him.
So long.
"We'll have to work hard. To make this work Sora. I want to be with you... That's all I've ever wanted! I want things to be.. right again... okay?" Sora smiled at me and his tears were starting to ice over. I leaned in a kissed his cheek to melt one of them. He let out a soft gasp and I leaned back to look at him. He was staring at something, just past me, into the distance. I noted the sound of fireworks going off.
Suddenly Sora smiled and stood up.
"Come on!" He chirped and dragged me to a standing position. I tried to look behind me, to see what Sora had seen, but he didn't give me a chance to.
"Sora... hold on a second.. we shouldn't...." I was trying to protest. But seeing him smile... after so long had me hypnotized. I knew against my better judgment that we shouldn't be wandering off. But something had Sora excited. I wanted to see what it was.
And Sora disappeared into the crowd, I'd lost my grip on his hand. I could hear him giggling though. And without a second thought I followed him.
Wow.. he's gotten so fast.
I was trying to squeeze through the crowd at break neck running speed as well as keep sight of Sora. The whole area was lighting up with every color of the rainbow from the fire works up above. At one point I had to wait for the sky to light up just to see where Sora had gone. He was waiting in an alley. He waved to me and dashed off before I got there. I kept following him, through the dark alley, my foot steps echoing over the laughter and cheer of the huge crowd and boom of the fire works. Sora's giggles reverberated down the wet slick brick alleyway, sounding more like a million children giggling, then just one.
I skidded to a halt when I came to the end of the alley and looked left and right. I was on the other side of the parade, near the rides. The grounds were more open over here, but it was still just as crowded. I didn't see Sora anywhere and then I heard my name be called. I looked right and Sora was whistling for me.
"Riku, over here!" He took off again.
I was starting to get short of breath now. Man... he could run...
"Come on, keep up with me!" He yelled happily.
I stumbled for a moment. Again the sound of the fireworks blasted and banged over head. One of the lights caught Sora's face perfectly in an over cast. When he turned to smile at me, it was like an holy light had illuminated an Angel.
"Sora! Where are we going?!" I called out. Laughing even though I was tired.
"You'll see!" He chirped. He turned and ran backwards, quite gracefully for a brief second before saying.
"It'll be a blast!"
I kept running after him.
------
Cloud
------
Seph was leaning in, kissing me over and over and over again. I was in heaven. We went around in a circle again while the fireworks went off over head. It was like... a fairy tale. I was a prince who'd found... his prince. For a few blissful moments, all was right in the world. And then suddenly Seph stopped. He sat me down and looked around, I'm sure, the entire area in about 2 seconds. It was like watching a machine process millions of amounts of information faster then light speed.
"Where are they?" Seph suddenly snapped. He'd let me go and was looking around, standing on his toes, not that he needed to, to see into the crowd. Aeris and Cid ran over to us to see what was wrong.
"Sora and Riku, where are they?" Seph said again, and I heard worry etched in his voice.... I looked around too but didn't see them anywhere. This was most definitely not good.
"How could they have run off so quickly?" Aeris cried. Cid shook his head. "We all got distracted by the fucking fire works!" He yelled. Seph shook his head. But something else was wrong.
"Seph.. what is it?... I mean.. even if they wandered off, look at this crowd. Leon will never find them in this."
Seph seemed to ponder that for a second and looked up. I noticed too for the first time that there were HUGE projection screens attached to the buildings about 20 feet in the air. My eyes went wide... mostly because I could see my image looking back at me. Had those things been on the whole time? So EVERYBODY saw me and Seph being all lovey dovey...?!
ACK!
"We'll go and look for them." Aeris called out and she and Cid ran off into the crowd.
"We should go look too. So just in case Leon is here, we'll find the boys first." I said and grabbed Seph's arm. He was still staring at that screen. He was so much more taller then me that I couldn't see the expression on his face. But he seemed to be frozen in place. I looked up at the screen and saw the most terrified expression on Seph's face that I'd ever seen. His pupils were even dilated.
"SEPH!" I screamed. Christ what the hell was wrong?
"He's already found them...." Seph whispered. He pointed up at another screen, one that was recording footage on the other side of the plaza.
And there he was.
There was Leon, stepping out of the crowd. Slowly his hood was falling from his face. No body seemed to notice him either. And then I saw Sora dash across the camera's view, Riku followed close behind.
They ran right past Leon.
Oh my god...
.
"Cloud, call the police, tell them to get there asses here now!" Seph yelled and shoved me to start running opposite the way he was going.
"The plaza circles around! See if you can head Sora off! I'm going to stop Leon!"
And with that Seph took off running in the longest strides I'd ever seen any body take. His black trench coat whipping behind him.
------
Riku
------
Something's wrong.. Very wrong...
"Sora! Sora, stop... I can't... run....!"
I stopped so I could catch my breath. My lungs felt like cold knives were stabbing into them. And my face was stiff from the bitter frost.
I was wheezing... It'd been a long time since I'd run like this...
I looked up through my bangs and saw Sora skipping up a small flight of stares. He was standing in front of the Plaza Ice Sculpture gallery. I couldn't tell what the sculpture was at first and I started to walk slowly, panting, to get closer.
I smiled widely.
Sora reached out to me, his eyes beckoning me to join him in front of that huge wall of ice.
Which was carved into the shape of a paopu fruit.
I picked up speed again, and reached out. This was the perfect moment. Like in a dream. The fireworks blasting up above, illuminating the ice like a million colored shards of glass.
It was so perfect...
I was almost there.....
------
Cloud
------
".... This... isn't a prank call asshole!" I yelled into my cell phone and ran as fast as I could. I was shoving people out of the way while trying to keep myself from falling. I kept glancing up at the screens above, watching Seph zoom past them like a blur of black and silver. At one point hot dog stand was blocking the way, surrounded on each side by about 12 dozen people. Seph leapt onto a bench without slowing down and actually did a front hand spring off of the top of the hot dog stand banner. Black coat fanning out like wings, silver hair like a stream of stars. He landed with barely a halt in between his next running step. I almost ran into a women staring at that TOTALLY AWESOME display.
People were actually starting to chase after him to see why he was in such a rush. They couldn't keep up too well.
I rounded a corner and almost slipped and busted my ass. After I righted myself I noticed there was lots of ice around. Chips of it anyway.... This must be the ice sculpture gallery. I think I'm getting close to Sora now.
"Fuck.... listen this is an emergency. Please send.... oh... BITCH!!" I snarled and hung up my phone. Why the fuck were those police pussy footing around tonight? Considering this is a HUGE city gathering you'd think.... they'd be here...
YES!
Just across the lawn was a police car and 2 cops. They had steaming hot cups of coco or something in there hands. Biting my lip I came up with a plan... I really hope I don't go to jail for this later. But I needed to police to back me up.
I picked up a huge ice chunk and chucked it with all the force I could across the lawn.
The sound of shattering glass rang across the distance.
Holy.. shit... I broke both windows...
The police officers gaped at the broken glass for a moment then looked to see where it came from. I waved, to let them know it was me, and took off running into the gallery. About a moment later I heard the sound of an engine behind me.
OH SHIT!!
I ducked and skidded and turned as quickly as I could without falling. I could hear those glass figurines shattering behind me. I burst out from the side of the gallery and made a U- turn to head towards Sora. At the same time I saw Seph come running out of an alley way on the other side of the plaza.
The police car behind me came roaring out of the trees just to my left and gracelessly soared down the stairs right into the concrete. The crunch of metal and breaking of glass made my ears pop. The blaring police siren went out with a tiny whizzing sound. I didn't look back to see if the cops were still following me.
"SORA!!" I yelled. But he didn't hear me. I put all of my power behind running as fast as I could, Seph was doing the same coming up behind Riku......
And almost like.. in slow motion I saw Riku reach out to Sora's outstretched hand, their finger tips only a few feet apart.
Dully in the background I heard people screaming and the rapid dash of many foot steps. I flicked my eyes away from Sora for one second and saw Seph stagger in his run. He paused for just a moment.... Then went down almost like he fainted.... A wave of fire works started to go off, like the climax to a very wonderful performance. But there was one shot... that rang out above the rest...
Something splattered all over Sora. Something dark. And I saw Riku fall forward, not even trying to catch himself, his teal green eyes rolled into the back of his head, his hand still stretched out to grasp Sora's....
------
Sephiroth
------
There were a bunch of people running past me and an immense pain shot through my left shoulder. When I staggered I lost my footing on some ice and slipped. It was perfect timing though. I heard the distinct sound of a gun shot go off. Lots of people around me fell flat to the ground and started to scream. Then another wave of loud bangs went off and I realized they were more fireworks. What I thought to be shattered glass was really broken pieces of ice. I glanced to my left in one of the screens and saw Leon coming up behind me.
I didn't think and grabbed a shard like piece of ice from the ground. I stood up quickly, Leon had his gunblade ready. I turned in a sharp 180, just as he pulled the trigger again, and threw the piece of ice like a small dagger. His bullet missed me completely and landed with a dull thud in the trunk of a tree. But I didn't miss. Leon cried out in pain and griped his left shoulder. He grimaced and tugged the shard of ice out. Blood started to flow freely from his wound. Leon looked at the blood covering the ice spike before he tossed it on the ground.
It shattered.
"Son of a bitch!" He yelled.
I smirked.
"Running out of things to call me!" I said back coolly. That pissed him off. "I'm not a kid anymore." I added.
He raised his GunBlade head level to me and bit his bottom lip.
"Pull it." I taunted. My eyes narrowing. "You'll miss. I'll catch it. Then throw it back at you." I'd done it once in training.... I'll do it again.
Leon hesitated.
"SEPH!!" I heard Cloud call out to me. My attention was immediately on him.
"Riku he..." I took a chance to look around and my eyes widen at what I saw....
No....
I heard foot steps retreating opposite me and realized Leon had run away.
I turned to run towards Cloud, Riku, and Sora.
"Cloud are you okay!?" I asked but my attention was really on Riku, who was sprawled out on the ground. He wasn't moving either.
"I'm... fine... but I think...Seph..."
"Is Sora okay..."
"YES, DAMMIT! I got to him before.... Seph.. Riku... I think... the bullet... his head.... oh god..."
I skidded t a halt and fell to my knees next to Riku's prone body. I could hear Cloud and Sora standing up.
Fuck!
I knew I wasn't hearing things when I heard two shots go off. I couldn't figure out where the second bullet went.
There was blood everywhere. All of it Riku's
I took off my gloves and felt Riku's back. The crimson had soaked through his snow white jacket and was literally dying it red. I turned him over gently and checked for a pulse.
He had one
Barely.
"Riku, stay with me.." I said softly and unzipped his coat.
He was almost blue he was so pale. His eyes were open just slightly and he was watching me. I leaned in to listen to him breathe. He was practically gasping. Cloud came up on Riku's opposite side. He skidded to his knees across the cold wet concrete and pulled off his jacket. It was bitterly cold out. He balled it up and put it under Riku's head while I pulled open his jacket. There was a huge blood stain on the interior of the down garment which lead me to believe the bullet had gone right through. I looked around where Riku fell and I noted a steaming hole in one of the steps a few feet away. Blood was splashed all around it.
"Cloud, call 911 right now. Tell them to send an ambulance, that there's a wounded civilian, 17, bullet to the...." Seph trailed off and pushed up Riku's sweater to reveal a puncture through his lower abdomen.
"...Through his.... kidneys..." Seph breathed. I paused for a second and pulled off my jacket to cover Riku. The boy was starting to convulse.
"No no... Riku.. just keep breathing..." I said soothingly. I was trying not to panic. Christ... he was so small.... I can't.... do.. CPR on him with the way he's bleeding....
I put my jacket across Riku's lower body to keep him warm and went to work.
"Did you call Cloud?" I said calmly. I heard Cloud's cell phone click on and he started talking, saying exactly what I'd told him to. I tore open Riku's sweater, it was in the way, and used his T-shirt to stop the bleeding. If I could get it to stop.... then he should be okay until the ambulance gets here.
Cloud's voice was vague over the thoughts running through my head.
Leon.... that fucking son of a bitch... He's actually gone off the deep end. He just shot a 17 year old boy... He sure as hell didn't look crazy when he'd done it.... Maybe I was wrong to ever feel sorry for him....
Riku bucked and gasped sharply. Blood started to fountain out of his mouth. Cloud screamed next to me.
"He's dying!" He gasped and went to cradle Riku's head. He started to rub the boys hair and whisper softly to him.
"Come on Riku.. please, please hold on... the ambulance is gonna be... Yes! FUCK WEREN'T YOU LISTENING!? I JUST SAID A KID'S BEEN.... What...? Oh my God..."
I looked up at Cloud then and saw the horror laden across his face.
"What?" I hissed and then I felt Riku go still under me.
SHIT!!
"That boy... Tim..."
Riku BREATHE!! COME ON!
"...Seph they found that boy..."
I looked up at Cloud and regarded him in confusion. What did he mean they found him?... That's great... unless...
"He's dead... His body washed up on the river bank an hour ago...."
I couldn't help but gape wide eyed up at him for a moment. Then my focus was back on Riku.
"Cloud hold this here, put as much pressure as you can down on it. We've got to stop the bleeding." I moved up to Riku's head and listened to see if he was breathing again.
He wasn't.
Cloud was in shock.. I could tell because he was suddenly to calm about what was going on.
I leaned down to start CPR on Riku but hesitated for a moment at the amount of blood in his mouth...
To hell with it... I had to get him breathing.... if I could...
And the repetitions started.
Over and over again I pumped his chest and breathed into his mouth. My fingers were numb, my arm was killing me, and I was starting to get tired.
"They said all of the police and ambulances are busy... Seph... it'll be 20 minutes before they get here..."
FUCK THAT.
I spit out blood and snatched the phone from Cloud. He went to doing the repetitions in my place.
"This is General Sephiroth Operating Class 0- X1469. I'm putting in a distress call for an ambulance at Traverse Plaza Downtown. At 2300 hours a 17 year old civilian was gunned down. The wound has been assessed and deemed fatal if not treated promptly."
I drew a breath.
"SO that means get a mother-fucking ambulance over here in the next 20 seconds or I'll take your badge and slit your god damn throat with it. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?"
I heard the man on the phone stutter a quick and frightened 'Yes Sir."
"General Sephiroth out!" I tossed Cloud's phone back to him and ignored his bewildered look at my outburst. I'd have to explain myself later.
I went back to breathing for Riku. I was afraid we were too late however.
I gasped out of pain and exhaustion and went to breathe once more into Riku's mouth. I heard Cid and Aeris, as well as many police cars and an ambulance pull up. My lips were an inch from Riku's when he suddenly drew in a breath of his own. At the same time, the paramedics where lifting him onto a stretcher.
They quickly took over. Setting up an oxygen mask and IV needles to make up for how much blood he'd lost. I fell back and tried to catch my breath. My chest hurt as did my arm and I was starting to see spots before my eyes. The next thing I knew Cloud was holding me up calling my name. I couldn't answer him before I passed out.
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Cloud
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This has to be a bad dream....
A nightmare....
Any minute now... I'm going to wake up.... with Seph in my arms in my room in my bed. And everything's going to be okay....
How did everything go so wrong...?
Everything was happening in a blur. I was being asked questions at a million miles a second and I couldn't keep up. I kept looking at Riku's lifeless body while the medics hustled back and forth in the small ambulance space. I wanted to take his hand, to make sure it was still warm. But they wouldn't let me get close to him. They were saying a bunch of medical jargon that I didn't understand.... but I didn't really care either. I just wanted to hear them say...
Riku will be okay.
Aeris rode with Seph, he told me he'd be fine before he passed out and told me to ride with Riku instead. Cid rode in a police car with Sora. They were tailing us in a mad rush to the emergency room.
I looked down at my hands and noted how much blood was on them. It was all Riku's. I started to shake, desperately wishing I could put this blood back into him. Knowing he would die with out it.
Riku.. please don't die....
The next thing I knew Riku was being rushed inside of the hospital. A band of doctors in light blue scrubs came running up. Again I was lost in the blur of medical terminology and mass of tubes and needles.
Riku was taken into a room at the far end of the hall and the doors shut with a loud click. I stood there in the waiting area, wet, cold, and almost delusional with worry. People were staring at me like I was a mental patient that just showed up out of nowhere. I glared at them all in turn... Like they could understand what I was dealing with right now....?
The front doors opened again and Seph's stretcher was wheeled in. I went to stand by his side. I really didn't know what was wrong with him besides him having fainted.
"Please stand back sir." One of the paramedics said. I frowned but kept following the stretcher.
"Where are you taking him...?"
"To the OR." (operating room)
I looked at Seph, he was still out cold.
"Why.. he..., he wasn't hurt...?" I assured myself. The paramedic looked at me like I was crazy.
"He's been shot sir. Please excuse us."
And they too disappeared behind the huge double doors.
I started to shake... from being cold one, the other from being scared and worried out of my mind.
I hadn't even noticed Seph had been hurt... He hadn't looked hurt the whole time... he... God.. please let him be okay... please.
I went to sit down in one of the waiting room chairs and put my head down. Before I knew it I'd started to cry.
I just couldn't fight it anymore.
What went... wrong...?
I don't... get it....
Everything was so.. perfect... just for one moment...
The hospital doors opened again and Aeris, Sora, and Cid walked through it. Aeris came up to me, sobbing, and pulled me into a hug. I wiped at my eyes and held her close. She'd just found out about Tim.
"Oh Cloud.. this is just.. awful... How could Leon do this...? Why would he do this...?"
I shook my head....
Hell if I knew...
Cid put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a weary look. He then tipped my chin up, telling me to suck it up and be a man. I took a shuddery breath and halted my tears. This was no time for crying.
And then.. there was Sora... He'd seen everything first hand. He'd been even closer then me to Riku when the bullet hit him.
I went over to him, he'd went to stand in the corner near the water fountain. He was staring down at his white and red sleeved jacket. Blood had dried across it.
"Sora...." I said softly and went to touch his shoulder.
"I... just wanted.... the paopu... I just wanted to see... for him to see...." He muttered. I turned him around to look in his face. He was gone.. mentally I mean..
"...blood... Riku's blood.. all over.. me... all over.. the... paopu.... Riku said... he..."
Tears started to roll down Sora's cheeks but he just kept muttering absently. I pulled him into a hug and rocked him gently.
"Shh... it's okay. Riku's going to be just fine...." I looked to Cid for assurance and he smiled.
"Course he will, that little smart mouthed bastard, he's a fighter."
That he was indeed.
I turned to look at the doomed double doors. 2 people I cared deeply about had been swallowed up by them. I hope, and pray, a wish that they come back through them....
Alive....
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Authors notes-
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I'll leave it to you guys. evil grin Dramatic enough for you?