The Replica

Chapter 15

(A/N: Yeah, its been a while, oh and Mia, just to let you know, I'm not coming on msn anymore. There's been a little conflict at home, and my e-mail seems to be frozen. Aie...so anyway, this fic is dedicated to Squall's-Baby for being such a great supporter! I love you Chika! )

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything except for Gwen-San-Ria belongs to San-Ria, she knows who she is! Mess with her and die! Also I do not own Everybody's Fool by Evanescence, who I, personally adore, and I don't care if anyone says she sings high pitched! P

Human status: Sick

Currently listening to: London Callin'- The Clash Nice Boys- Guns N' Roses

Death of the Spirit

"Whoa!" Zell cried, moving back a pace from the side of the bed, "D-Death?" he trembled slightly. San-Ria breathed in deeply, sinking lower into the feathery bed, the dream did give her a bit of a scare, she etched with worry about the blinded commander in the bed next to her. He lay immobile, lips pursed.

"You aren't serious? Are you?" Rinoa asked, laying a hand on her chin, eyes darting every now and then to Squall's bed.

"I can't tell for sure, but, I'm almost 99.99999 sure that it is." San-Ria replied solemnly, shutting her eyes.

There was silence that followed what she had said, they gazed at the youth, laying, unmoving in the bed. After about, what seemed to be five minutes of silence, she spoke again.

"Her spirit is dying away in hatred."

"What?" Zell asked.

San-Ria didn't reply, she just lay unmoving on the hospital bed.

Dr. Kadowaki stormed into the room once more, to herd everyone out of the room.

"Alright, that's enough, visiting time is over. These two need their rest, and they won't get it with all of you hovering over them." She stormed.

"Death of the Spirit...." San-Ria hissed into nothingness.

Gwen lay in her bed, unmoving, eyes wide open. Her usually neat, cropped hair, was now unruly, and lay on her pillow in messy curls. The memory of the bloody battle only a few days ago haunted her. The bloody corpses, crying people, but what haunted her most was that look of loathing on Squall's face as he approached their mother ship. She shook her head, she hated him all the same, but to think that he had trusted her at one point...

She tossed and turned all through the night, until finally, at about 3:10 in the morning, she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

She ran through a dark passage way, the walls wet, dirty. The air was moist, and smelled rank of death and rotting corpses. The walls glistened as if covered in some sort of liquid, she had a feeling she didn't want to know what it was, yet had the distinct feeling she knew what adorned the stone walls. Blood stained weapons hung from the walls. A faint hum of a distinct song came from the distance...

Perfect by nature

Icons of self indulgence.

Just, what well all need,

More lies about a world

That never was and never will be

Have you no shame, don't you see me?

You know you've got everybody fooled.

They were talking about her, being the faker, fooling the recipients of Balamb Garden into actually believing she was a good person. A pang of pain hit her like a ton of bricks.

Look, here she comes now,

Bow down and stare in wonder.

Oh, how we love you,

No flaws when you're pretending

But now I know she never was and never will be

You don't know how you betrayed me.

And somehow, you got everybody fooled.

When she came to Balamb Garden, everyone wanted meet her and be her friend after she had become Squall's apprentice. She seemed perfect, learning to get along with everyone. Seifer was the only one who didn't trust her. He saw right through her. "He knew, he knew. He knew who I was!" she cried, a mirror floating in front of her. She saw her reflection, depiciting herself with let down, unruly, tangled hair, a tired face-no, grief stricken from her evil-she saw her hands, dranched in blood. Wait. Where did the blood come from?

Without the mask, where will you hide?

Can't find yourself, lost in your lies.

I know the truth now.

I know how you are.

And I don't love you anymore.

It never was, and never will be,

You don't know how you betrayed me.

And somehow you got everybody fooled.

never was and never will be

you're not real, then you can't save me,

and somehow now, you're everybody's fool.

Tears stung her eyes, as she clenched blood drenched hands. Its true, the song is true, she isn't who she told everyone at Balamb she was. She was a liar, a murderer, a thief, a spy. Everyone loved her, she had fooled them. Now...they hate her, as she does herself. She's lost, fallen into the many lies she's told, drowning, not knowing who she really is.

Gwen...Gwen... a voice called. Omniscient.

Gwen...Gwen...it became more prominent, she felt someone shaking her.

Gwen wake up! The voice became stronger until...

"GWEN! WAKE UP, YOU'RE HAVING A NIGHTMARE!" Her sister was shaking her shoulders, waking her.

"Oh, oh sister!" Gwen threw herself into her sisters arms, sobbing.

"Don't act like you're a kid again." She huffed, pulling Gwen away from her, though still touched at the thought. "Tell me, what happened."

"B-Blood, all over my hands. I was in a dark hallway. I think there was blood on the walls. And someone was singing...about," she gulped. "Me."

"I see." Her sister's face was grave.

"What do I do?"

"Follow me."

Squall moaned, and turned over in the feather bed. He rose to a sitting position, he felt, re-energized, ready to take off his bandages.

"Doctor?" He called.

"Yes, yes I'm coming Squall. My, you're up early. You usually sleep until about noon." Dr. Kadowaki piped, rummaging through a drawer for her scissors.

"What time is it?" Squall inquired.

"11:30" Dr. Kadowaki chuckled. "Only half an hour earlier than usual."

"Har, Har, very funny." Squall pouted, furrowing his brow. He felt the Doctor cutting at his bandages, until finally, they fell in a heap on the bed.

"Can you see me?"

At first all he saw was a pink blob with a mob of black on top, but soon his eyes focused and he saw the cheery face of Dr. Kadowaki.

"Y-yes, I can. Thank you." Squall stood upright, only then realizing how stiff his legs were.

"Well, off you go, young man, I should go check up on San-Ria."

"How's she doing?" Squall inquired.

The Doctor's face stiffened for a moment. "Her health has been declining slowly. I can't find what's wrong with her though."

Squall cocked his head, he had a distinct feeling she had something to do with it.

"You can come see."

Squall entered the room, to find the girl, asleep on the feather bed, chest rising and falling slowly with each breath she took. Her face was pale, and hands were clammy. She seemed-just by looking- weak. Energy had been drained from her all at once. Someone was behind this, and he was bound to find out.

"Squall! You're awake and out of bed!" Rinoa cried, running towards Squall, and throwing her arms around his neck. Zell approached them.

"How's San-Ria doing?"

"She's really sick, I think Gwen has something to do with it."

Zell rolled his eyes. "Ya think? She hasn't been around for a while, how can she? We don't have proof."

"Look, its just an assumption. She's the only one who loathes her with a passion. And she does have the instruments, and magic to do so."

"I'm not so sure."

"Well I am."

TBC....

Is Gwen really draining San-Ria's energy? Who sent Gwent that nightmare? San-Ria? Or...someone else? Find out next time!

Ta ta for now,

Fallen Angel 900