Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, any characters within or placed involved. Original characters and places are my own.
Chapter V: Deeper Lies.The next morning Seifer woke up with a hangover. Good thing it was a Saturday, he thought as he rolled into a sitting position. Through bloodshot eyes he noticed Selphie was still crashed in his room. Lying there with the most serene look on her face. She made a cute noise and shifted on her back, lips slightly parted.
Seifer needed a cold shower.
He staggered to the bathroom and proceeded to splash cold water on his face and carry on with the usual ablutions before jumping into the shower. When his thoughts started to make sense, they drifted to the night before. It had been good to see Raijin again, too bad Fujin wasn't there too. Seifer always wondered how his comrades were and often checked up on them when he could. After the event three months ago however…
Stop it.
He had other things to think about now. Last night complicated things between Selphie and himself. It was then that Seifer realized how much he had wanted her. He ached. Rarely did he ache. It disturbed him, to put it simply. Most women he could have anytime. But Selphie…
Selphie was his friend too. She trusted him. If he had given in to his primal desires last night, she would probably have hated him this morning. And for a lot longer than he cared to think about. Seifer knew he wanted to be with Selphie but she had just gotten the heartbreak of a lifetime. For the first time Seifer felt powerless about something in his life. Shutting the water off, Seifer sighed to himself.
Seifer got out of the shower and thought about the days events that were about to unfold. Today was the day he had to track Denman and find out if he was a credible suspect. Seifer had studied his file extensively yesterday. He knew his usual hangouts, who his friends were, and who he was. Denman himself had been a "rebel" since he joined Garden when he was 12. Came from a broken family, and was abused by his father. He hadn't so much joined Garden as was put there by the Balamb authorities. He had average marks and excelled at hand to hand fighting. Denman also had a disciplinary record as long as Seifer's arm. Fighting here, assault there. This kid was definitely violent.
He came out of the bathroom and was toweling off his hair when he noticed Selphie was up, looking just as hung-over as he did. She sat at the table nursing a cup of coffee with a sour look on her face.
"Morning." Seifer felt a little better after the shower.
"There's coffee made." Selphie scratched her head leisurely, trying to avoid eye contact. Guess she was a little surprised as to which bed she woke up in. Seifer gave a low grunt and got a glass of water instead.
He leaned against the sink, "You're hung over because you're dehydrated. Water would be better for you." The only response Selphie gave him was the finger.
* * *
Once Seifer left, Selphie let out a sigh of relief. What had she been thinking? The events last night were just as vivid now as they were then. She remembered everything.
Unfortunately. Seifer was her SeeD partner and she knew that. It was so unprofessional to do that with your partner. That was why she and Irvine had never worked together, because feelings could get in the way. She just didn't do that. Even if Seifer was gorgeous. STOP! Quit thinking that Selphie! She had just had the worst (okay, only) breakup of her life last night and she seemed a little too willing to jump in the sack with Seifer. It was like she was betraying Irvine.
Oh Hyne, Irvine. A new wave of hurt washed over Selphie's soul. I betray him? Selphie knew she was a good person, so what had she done to deserve what happened to her? She always tried to cheer others up, go for the extra effort in everything. What had she done wrong? It somehow must have been her fault. Maybe she didn't spend enough time with Irvine, so he had to go to another girl. Yeah right.
But there was also she and Seifer. There was no denying that she was ready to sleep with Seifer last night. He had something that Irvine never had: dangerousness. That hazardous mix of alcohol, music, and Seifer had almost made her go over the edge. How could she have done that? She violated his trust in her. She had been the one to take advantage of him. She knew he was grateful for her managing to get him back into Garden. Selphie knew that he only thought of her as a SeeD partner. Seifer had even been trying to be a good friend to her. He showed her kindness.
No one but herself knew that Seifer had kindness in his soul. And it made her bleed on the inside to know she had used his kindness as a tool last night.
* * *
How have you been Mother? I've been very good. Do you know why I feel so good right now? I've found another girl with the Pain. I think I'll end her Pain tonight. No one can stop me either Mother. They're trying but they won't succeed. I'm too smart for them, far too smart. And all because you taught me Mother. Tonight I will prove that to them. But I've had enough of hiding my girls after I've taught them. This time I'm planning something special Mother. She will be a monument for everyone to learn. I can't wait; I have so much planned Mother. So much.
* * *
Just for a change of pace, Seifer ate his late lunch in the Quad. The sun was shining merrily and the fresh air dissolved the rest of Seifer's hangover. Over the last year he had gotten good at getting rid of hangovers. He was planning how he would trial Denman without getting noticed, so he opted for the hair dye and clothes change technique. Denman was going to be in the Fifth District tonight, as per usual. It was a rough neibourhood and Seifer knew he would fit right in. He had spent a lot of time in there after all.
Seifer went back to his dorm room to equip a few Guardian Forces and some magic, just in case things got ugly. Selphie was gone. He packed a small bag of clothes before he went to the garage to get a car. When he got there, rows of cars greeted him. Cars didn't particularly get Seifer going what he really wanted was…
Right there. The most beautiful motorcycle he had ever seen. The racer was all black and gleamed at him, seducing him like no women could. Seifer felt the leather seat with satisfaction, noting how good it felt under his hands. Straddling it, he started the engine. I love how Garden leaves the keys in everything. The engine purred to life, rumbling deeply. It sounded good.
Okay, so maybe Seifer had a motorcycle fetish. Nothing wrong with that.
* * *
The girl started crying again. It was really hard to get information when she kept crying, Selphie thought. Myena was really shaken up by her best friend's murder. Selphie had only managed to get Xing's past out of Myena so far. Xing had been an orphan and entered garden fairly early in life. She had lived with a nice family in Balamb before entering Garden and had still kept in touch with them ever since. She was only a year away from her SeeD test, and from what Myena had told her so far, she would have been accepted for sure. Xing was on the Headmaster's List for high marks and good attitude.
"Please Myena, tell me more about Xing." Selphie prompted. Myena took a few shuddering breaths ands stopped crying, a look of deep concentration on her face.
"Yes." She looked quite intense to Selphie right now. "She had never been incredibly popular but she did have close friends. Not too many people noticed when she disappeared. Her boyfriend- ex boyfriend- Mikhial asked me where she was that night but I didn't know." She took another deep breath, "We had a little fight earlier in the day over him. I had my suspicions that he was cheating on her but she wouldn't believe me."
Selphie twitched.
"Was she religious or involved in any groups."
"She was religious." Myena smiled faintly. "That's how we met, we would go to the same services on Tuesday. We are -were- both Hyne followers. But what does that have to do with anything?"
"Every bit helps." Selphie said. "Can you tell me anything else about her?"
"She liked animals, especially Moombas. She liked to go swimming, do her hair, and go to the movies." Myena began to withdraw. "I think that's about everything I know."
Selphie stood up from the desk and shook Myena's hand. "You've helped a lot. Thank you for your information."
Myena pulled Selphie into a hug. Her body was shuddering with tears. "Make sure you bring him to punishment. Please." Myena whispered in Selphie's ear through tears.
I will, she thought.
* * *
Seifer had just finished dying his hair jet-black. He looked up from the sink of the motel room that he used to transform into his cover. He actually kinda liked it; too bad it would wash out in a couple of rinses. It was nearly ten o'clock and Denman would be out soon. Turning from the sink, he walked over to the bed and put on the clothes.
Seifer admired himself in the full-length mirror. Seifer looked badass before, now he was the badass. Seifer had been feeling in a black leather mood today. The outfit started off with black leather boots, with just the right amount of buckles on them. The weight made them perfect for street-fighting as well. Black leather pants complimented the black mesh shirt that fit Seifer like a tattoo. Instead of his regular trench coat, he choose yet more black leather with buckles on the arms. A sexy black collar ringed his neck and gave him the air of danger. He smiled as he fit his silver shades on his face and closed the door behind him.
Once he was back on the motorcycle he savoured the rush of air that whipped through his newly made ebony hair. It had been a while since he last enjoyed a rowdy ride through a city. Streetlamps flashed by and sounds were nothing but a mere blur. It was intoxicating. Racing on a motorcycle was the only time that Seifer felt truly free, as if he had been released from all his burdens. Perhaps it was because as he made every turn, he touched death a little. One wrong move and he'd be taking Lady Death as his next lover.
The lights of the "Rusty Tankard," the bar that Denman frequented came into view and Seifer eased the motorcycle to a stop not far from the exit. The feeling of exhilaration lingered in his body even as he entered the bar. The music was dark heavy metal and summed up the mood. A rough bunch sat at tables and the bar that Seifer himself sat at. Seifer fit right in.
Denman was already here. He sat at a table with two other people, both male. They looked like they were having a good time telling stories to each other. Seifer could tell that Denman was well on his way to being drunk. Seifer ordered a beer that ended up tasting like donkey piss and continued to covertly watch Denman from his seat at the bar.
* * *
Three hours later, nothing much had happened. Another man had come to the table about an hour ago and Denman had gotten in a fight twenty minutes ago, coming out the victor. Seifer had to hand it to him; he could fight as Seifer had watched the 170-pound kid take out a 250-pound biker. His friends were toasting his victory when two more men and a woman came up to the table. The first man looked all business, in a bad-lands kind of way. The second man was obviously his bodyguard and carried a small black bag with him. The woman was a classy looking hooker. The three men that had been with Denman left with a wave of his hand, all three had frightened looks on their faces.
The businessman shook Denman's hand and sat down, the woman made herself very comfortable next to Denman. They began a conversation and Seifer strained to listen in.
"So you have the money?" The businessman said.
"Yeah, you got the stuff?" Denman nodded his head.
"You think the Boss would come here if he didn't have it?" The bodyguard said insulted but was put at bay with a raised hand by the businessman.
"Easy." With that small exchange the businessman imposed the authority he had. "You have the whole 15 000 gil here?" Denman nodded his head in assurance.
15 000 gil? That's an awful lot of money for such a little bag. Seifer thought. Denman must be a drug trafficker. And unless all those girls didn't pay up, I don't think he's the one we're looking for. Shit. Seifer watched as Denman pulled a small black money bag out of his jacket and handed it to the bodyguard that looked inside and nodded to the businessman.
"Good doing business with you. My associate will take of you tonight." With that the businessman and the bodyguard left the bar, the hooker, and the bag. Denman took a long drink form his beer and started playing cute with the hooker.
After a short time she said, "Wanna go some place private?"
* * *
Seifer found himself in a shady little motel where Denman and the hooker went. He had managed to overhear the room number and had gotten the room beside them.
Apparently Denman liked to be disciplined.
Seifer would have gone back to Garden but he couldn't leave the hooker with Denman alone, just in case. They had been going at it for over an hour now and Seifer was attempting to drown out the sounds by staring out the window of his room, absently looking at the houses across from the motel. He decided he would have Denman arrested for trafficking once he got back into Garden. There had been a rumour going around that someone was selling Chocobo Dust in Garden lately. Chocobo Dust was a cheaply made drug that was injected via needle. Seifer had seen what an overdose could do to people and it sickened him. Seifer knew that Denman was too arrogant to figure out that he had been caught and was sure that he'd be back at Garden the next day.
Funny how that happened sometimes; you look for one thing and get another. A man with a cigarette walked down the street and Seifer focused in on him, mostly out of boredom. When he recognized the face however he wasn't bored at all.
It was Officer Damian Leon in the flesh. What the hell is he doing here? Leon knocked on the door of one of the houses nearly across from where Seifer was. The noise stopped in the room next door and Seifer could here that they were getting ready to leave. Leon knocked again. The door next door opened and he heard Denman leave alone.
Fuck. Seifer wasn't sure if he should follow Denman to ensure that he made it back to Garden or find out what Leon was doing at the house. He decided to watch Leon when an old woman opened the door, a look of anger crossed her face when she saw Leon. The street noise made it impossible to hear what they were talking about however. The more Leon talked, the more the old woman became angry. Finally after a few minutes the women became so enraged that she raised her voice loud enough for Seifer to hear.
"How dare you say that after what happened to Samantha!" The old woman slapped Leon across the face hard.
Samantha…"That was all your fault!" She finished by slamming the door on his face. Leon leaned on the door for a minute, Seifer thought it looked like he was trying to compose himself then left the same way he came from.
Realization hit Seifer when he belatedly recognized the girl's name. The first victim had been named Samantha. So what the fuck does she have to do with Leon?
* * *
The ride back to Garden was uneventful. Seifer ravaged his mind thinking of ways that Leon could be connected to the victim. What is he's the killer? A little part in Seifer's mind asked. He parked the motorcycle in the parking lot, mind whirling in thought. His mind was working so hard that he didn't notice the water spill until he nearly slipped on his ass. What the? He looked down and fear struck him.
It was blood. "All Must Learn." Was smeared on the floor in blood. Seifer had stepped right on it too. A dripping noise caught his attention and he caught movement nearby. His eyes slowly raised and what he saw horrified him. Fear made his chest clench and his heart beat erratically.
Once he could breath, he puked…
~* * *~
Notes: Sorry about the long wait, but I got a bad case of exams and sickness. Coughing up blood kinda takes away my ambition to write. I hope everyone will forgive me for posting this so late anyway. I'm just glad it got done, things are really starting to spice up! Remember to review! It makes the chapters come faster (assuming I don't get deathly ill again).
Don't be afraid to email me at:
Jade_ice17@hotmail.com