Chapter 2 - Insomniac's Craze
I lay on the bed, with my face burrowed into the pillows. I was suffering through another of my insomnia episodes. Rays from the dawn sunlight creeped through the window, and up to my bed to taunt me. I snorted, and sat up lazily. I had to put a stop to this.
Without even bothering to get something to eat, I put on my jacket and boots, and left my little house.
I couldn't quite explain what had suddenly come over me. I just sped with haste towards the marine district of the small, quiet town, making my way through the morning hustle, and never once paused to reconsider my actions.
Vincent strolled to the southern parts of the city, towards the boat docks. He looked around warily, until he found a lone fisherman untangling his nets. Slowly, he approached the man, "Sir, I was wondering if you could by chance take me somewhere off the continent?" he asked, with his usual soft voice slightly raised to combat the the morning scurry of the townsfolk.
"Where yah headed towards, sonny?" the elder man asked, not raising his head to inspect the stranger before him. He continued to sort through his nets, to prepare them for another hard day labor of catching the fish he hunted, to provide for his family, all his life.
"The Northern Continent." he stated simply, taking a step forward, so he wouldn't have to combat the morning noise so desperately.
The old man smiled, "Hop aboard, sonny. I'll be with yah in a few minutes." he said, cheerfully, beginning to roll his nets, and toss them onto the ship's deck to his right.
As he sat near the bow of the boat, Vincent thought inwardly, about the girl he hadn't been able to catch the day prior. ' Why am I so high-strung on this?' he thought to himself, rubbing his hands together, 'What is wrong with me?'
The boat's motor dulled to a stop, and Vincent rose to see the snowy banks of the Northern Continent drift closer towards the rocking boat.
Feeling completely off guard by the sight of the crater in the distance, a lump rose in Vincent's throat. He gulped, forcing it down, and his courage to return. He had to find out what secret this girl held, and how she knew of the dead city, which the continent protected. He had to find out just what power this girl seemed to hold over him, to tempt him back to the island so quickly.
He sighed, as he leapt from the small vessel and walked the short distance to the shore. He waved behind him, "Thanks again!" he called to the old fisherman. He turned, and began a swift sprint towards the chasm, where the city lay.
It didn't take him long to reach the city. It was passing mid-morning as he entered, and made his way up the center path towards Aerith's grave. His boots made no sound on the soft earth, as he walked passed the front bank of the lake, towards the grassy hill, covered with flowers that rexembled those he had seen in the church at Midgar.
He felt slightly uneasy, approaching the mound in front of him, alone, but his curiosity outweighed any other emotion he felt. As he drew closer, he noticed a small, black ball of fabric curled up, in a small indentation of the earth.
Curiosity, now completely overwhelming him, and taking control, he stepped closer, and knelt in front of it. He lay his real hand on top of it.
It was warm and breathing.
He withdrew his hand momentarily, from where it rested. "Hey you." he said, softly, poking the mound once more on the shoulder.
My eyes opened slowly, revealing a man with ebony hair, and eyes as crimson as blood, kneeling in front of me. His hand was on my shoulder. He was the one whom I had fled from only the day prior. My instincts warned me he would return, and stupidly, I had let my guard down.
Perhaps I hadn't thought he would return so quickly. Perhaps, I had wanted him to find me. Either way, I find it impossible to tell. I do know that he seemed to be very intriguing to me.
I hit myself inwardly, as I realized he blocked my perfect escape, into the hole in the wall. Now I was trapped, with nowhere to go.
Slowly, I stood, smoothing the wrinkles out of my skirt, then moving my arms, to straighten out my disheveled hair. I gazed into his eyes, still silently observing. Within those glassy orbs, I could sense despair and torture lodged deep within.
Depsite my situation, I was still determined to make my escape successful. I would not let this man capture me. My entire life depended on it.