Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII, any characters within or placed involved. Original characters and places are my own.
Chapter VI: Down Moral, Up Adrenaline
Seifer wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, the bitter taste lingering. His mind couldn't- wouldn't accept the sight before him. A brutal mockery of one of Hyne's followers assaulted his vision, sending his mind plummeting into darkness. Blood dripped down the body, tracing the pale contours only to plummet to the ground and darkly resonate into Seifer's heart. Each deathly drop tearing a wound into his own psyche. Thin black rope wound its way around the girl's mutilated corpse, forcing her body into a cruel semblance of a cross. The dead wells of her eyes stared down her own mutilated chest, head hanging limply. The most horrifying vision was the perfectly carved cross that lay spread over her chest. This horrific sight would come to haunt Seifer for years to come.
All this, sickeningly, was displayed hanging from the very walls of Garden. The ropes were taut with the weight of the corpse, attached with due effort from the overhanging beams. Each rope tore a new ravine into the already molested corpse.
Seifer felt very weak at the knees. He couldn't comprehend the evil mind that thought this up. Seifer felt hatred, pure unadulterated hatred for the beast that had caused this carnage begin to twist its way around his soul. Dark demons of insanity wavered on the edge of Seifer's mind as he stared at the lifeless corpse. But it wasn't just a corpse anymore it was a girl. A girl with friends, goals, a family, hopes. A girl with dreams. Her life had been ripped from her mercilessly. Her life had been over before she even had a chance to live it.
It wasn't fair.
* * *
The harsh ringing of his phone abruptly woke Squall. He groaned and rolled over, trying to ignore the insistent ringing. Who would phone this late? What kind of emergency could possibly be so… Squall's blood suddenly ran cold, like ocean water rushing over an unsuspecting victim. Squall's sleep-numbed hand fumbled with the phone before he could actually pick it up. He raised the phone to his ear and gave a painful swallow.
"Headmaster Squall."
"It's Seifer," Seifer's voice sounded erratic even to Squall. Seifer's voice was too low for anything to be okay. "You gotta get down here. Now."
"Where?"
"Lobby." Was he imagining it or did Seifer nearly lose control of his voice?
"Oh Hyne." Squall cursed.
"Be quiet about it, call the cops in, do a lock down of the students."
"Shouldn't I be giving the orders?"
"Shut the fuck up and do what I say." Dead silence.
Squall hung up the phone and gingerly shook Rinoa awake. She turned over to look at him, but she wasn't mad. She had an angelic smile on her face, eyes half closed with sleep. The sheets strained against her body as she moved. She looked so safe, warm comfortable, happy. A pang of fear raced through Squall's heart.
Her eyes danced over the look on Squall's face. "What's the matter?" Squall couldn't take it; he leaned over and took Rinoa into his arms. He held her tightly, gently rocking back and forth, reassuring himself that Rinoa was there. Alive.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, the scene was crawling with cops and Garden staff. Seifer surveyed the police scurrying this way and that, trying to look at anything but the mangled corpse in front of him. Selphie hadn't shown up yet, she had gone to get Leon, and luckily for her through the back door. They hadn't been able to reach Officer Leon through to phone.
The flash of a camera and the sickening splash of puke distracted Seifer. The police crime scene photographer wiped the back of his mouth and gave a half-hearted grin to Seifer. "This is the worst thing I've ever seen in my life." He gave a quick glance at the girl. "Who could have done this?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out." Seifer said grimly.
"I saw something like this before." The cameraman rubbed his forehead.
Seifer snapped his head up and gave a surprised look to him. "Tell me about it." He hesitated for a second, "Please."
"Young girl, maybe 16," The cameraman, Larry by his nametag swallowed hard. "We found her just outside Deling City limits a couple years ago. She was beaten and cut up. Some sick fuck had carved a cross into her forehead. The morgue said she had been tortured for about a week before she died." Something in Seifer's memory stirred. "Turns out it was some rogue sect of Hyne's church, Silent Saints. Their rationale was that she had sinned, in reality she had been sexually active with her boyfriend. They found out and killed her, slowly. They managed to prosecute two of them. They were a twisted couple. Believed they were doing Hyne's work on earth. Killed themselves in jail, leaving a note that they would become martyrs for their cause."
Seifer let that sink in for a second, "Thanks." Seifer shook Larry's hand and let him get back to work. As soon as Selphie showed up, they'd be able to follow the new lead.
The familiar chime of Selphie's voice alerted Seifer to her presence. Right on time. Something rushed under Seifer's skin making him stand stiff. It grew more intense as Selphie neared. With a jolt of shock Seifer realized it was the need to protect Selphie from this. Barricades had been put around the area so that if any students managed to get out they wouldn't be able to see the scene. As Selphie came around the barricade Seifer stepped in front of her, blocking the view.
"You don't want to see this."
Selphie looked at him questionably then spoke, "You know I have to see it Seifer."
"No you don't, you can see the pictures afterwards." Seifer let an ounce of plead creep into his voice.
This time anger seeped into Selphie's eyes. "This is my job Seifer, don't get in my way." Selphie tried to look to the side of Seifer but he grabbed her by the back of the neck. Selphie began to take breath to yell until Seifer pressed her into his shoulder. She tensed.
"Selphie…" Seifer breathed lightly into her hair, the word more a prayer than anything else. "I don't want you to see this." His other arm wrapped around her back, as if just holding her could keep her safe.
"Seifer, you know I have to. Please, don't protect me from the life I've chosen." She became very still standing in front of Seifer. "Please." Seifer momentarily brought her a closer to him then eased up a bit. Again Selphie looked past the side of Seifer, this time her eyes growing large in horror. Seifer knew he had a pained look across his face as he watched Selphie's eyes quiver with unshed tears. Her lips parted and she gave a sharp intake of breath. Seifer felt her whole body tense then begin to shake slightly. Seifer held her tightly, loosing himself in her. Oh Hyne, let me have done the right thing.
Selphie's voice broke through Seifer's thoughts. "Thank you." She stepped back and looked him in the eyes, her gaze lingering. "Let's get this over with." To Seifer's amazement, Selphie didn't cry.
Even Seifer felt like crying right now. "Yeah."
"Fuck." It was Leon's time to enter the scene and break the silence. A shaky hand lit the cigarette that was all but dangling out of his mouth. He took a long drag of it, the light from the ember making shadows swim in his eyes. As he exhaled Seifer thought the wisps of smoke were strangely fitting against Leon's face.
"Why do you smoke?" Seifer asked.
"It's something I can rely on." Leon answered.
"Rely on?"
"A pack of cigarettes will never let you down." Dark humour flowed in his words. His words however spoke of past pain.
"So where were you?" Seifer asked Leon once Selphie was out of ear shot, presumably going to talk to the uniforms.
"Away." Seifer watched as the humour leaked from Leon and his body tensed from the question.
"And your destination was where, Leon?"
"None of your damn business, Almasy." Anger surged through Leon's eyes. Seifer made an accusatory noise. "What the fuck is this, twenty questions?"
"Why you so defensive?" Seifer couldn't quite shake the feeling that Leon was hiding something.
"I was doing something personal, alright." Leon stood directly in front of Seifer in a challenging pose. "Stay the fuck out of my business Almasy or I'll hurt you. Badly."
Seifer could feel his anger welling up inside of him creating a near electric charge in the air between himself and Leon. "You ever threaten me again and I will end you." Seifer took a step closer to Leon, ready for a fight. Bare knuckles, no rules fight.
And he was going to like it.
"Cut it out you two." Selphie stepped between them, facing Seifer. "There will be no fighting." Her gaze cut into Seifer's anger, though still leaving him smouldering. "We have work to do." A uniform called to her and she went in his direction, leaving an angry glance behind her.
The air was as thick with anger as it was death.
* * *
Selphie sunk into a chair by the table sighing deeply. What she had seen tonight had disturbed her deeply. Disturbed was too light a word. This event demeaned her very faith in the human race. She felt numb from the scene that had burned itself into her memory. This was the fifth victim and they weren't any closer to solving the case. Seifer had told her about the lead on the Silent Saints but something deep within Selphie told her that wouldn't be the break in the case.
The coffee pot chimed to tell Selphie it was done, bringing her out of her morbid thoughts. Nothing helped soothe the soul like coffee. A year ago she wouldn't have touched the stuff, but now…
Now she practically lived off it. As she sipped her coffee she began to think. She had changed a lot in the past year. Her life had been going so well, five months ago she got a promotion. Her career in SeeD looked so bright every night she could barely wait for what the next day would bring. Now she was second guessing herself. This case had brought out the absolute worst this job had to offer.
And they weren't getting anywhere.
Five girls were dead and they had almost nothing to go on. The murderer never left anything behind. Nothing but broken lives and shattered dreams. Maybe someone else would be better for the job. She thought with no small amount of frustration. At the beginning she had felt like she could take on this case, that the first girl found in Garden would be the last. But she wasn't. Guilt rode Selphie hard as she thought that if they could have caught him earlier the others would still be alive.
Selphie absentmindedly tugged on her earring. Her earring. That's it! The earrings! Why hadn't she thought of this sooner? That was the break in the case. The murderer may not have left anything at the scene but he took things away from it. If she could convince Squall to let her do a room to room check of the dormitories she'd be able to find the missing earrings. And with them the murderer.
Excited, she grabbed the phone off the wall and called Squall. He picked up on the second ring.
"Headmaster Squall." His voice was dark with foreboding.
"Squall, its Selphie." She took a deep breath and clamed herself. "I think I have an idea."
"Thank Hyne."
"Listen, I need clearance to do a dormitory check on all of Garden." Selphie was nearly prancing in place now.
"Do you know what you're asking?" Squall's voice turned up a notch. "Doing that would be a gross abuse of authority. The students might rebel!"
"I know, it has never been done before but just listen. We both know the murderer never left anything at the scene right?" She waited for him to grunt assent. "But he did take one thing from it: the girls' earrings!" She heard Squall intake breath quickly in surprise. "If we could find the earrings in someone's dorm then we'd find the killer!"
"My god Selphie, you're right. I'll get right on it." Before Selphie could thank him profusely he added, "But I can't promise to get it for you by tomorrow. This is going to take some political manoeuvring. There are some students her with very rich and very powerful Daddies that don't want little secrets out."
"Thank you, I know you'll try your best Squall." Selphie let a light laugh escape from her lips, "You always were the charmer."
Even Squall had to laugh a little at that. "Alright Selphie, I'll do what I can. Bye."
"Bye." Selphie hung up the phone, excitement coursing through her. Maybe she would see this case to the end.
Hopefully it would be soon.
A knock at the door surprised her. It must be Seifer. She opened the door, eager to tell him about her plan then stopped dead.
It was Irvine.
"What do you want?" Selphie voice was perhaps a little too loud.
"Well, I've been thinking."
"What a surprise, I was beginning to doubt that you did that at all." This burst from Selphie brought a few students' heads poking out doors. She didn't care, Irvine was about to make an ass of himself anyway.
"Well I was and-" Irvine swallowed visibly, "I think maybe we should go on a break for a while."
Selphie hand gripped the doorknob so hard she thought it would smash. "A break." Her voice felt very cold and distant to her. "A break?" A low, dark laugh came up from her throat that held no humour. "You want a break?"
"I think it would be best." He replied rationally.
"Yeah, it would." And for the second time in as many days, Selphie's fist went flying into Irvine's face.
* * *
Seifer was one of the last to leave the scene. His anger had barely decreased in all that time. A certain Officer was hiding something from him. On a case like this you can't hide anything. He thought angrily. Leon hadn't given him any real reason just why he hadn't been reachable tonight and that put Leon on the suspect list.
That and the connection to the first victim. If he could find out what it meant. He thought vaguely about kicking Leon off the case but decided that keeping him close was the better plan. Keep you friends close…
A loud disruptive noise finished any thought that was running through Seifer's head. It was a shocked yelp. And it was coming from the direction of Selphie and his dorm. eHHhfujafhabhjuHgbjvbhmhbjmHe took off at a run. Fear for Selphie lanced through him. Let her be okay. When he came around the corner and realized that she was just fine.
"How dare you come here and ask for a break!" Selphie had Irvine pinned to the floor with her own body shaking him by his collar. "You didn't get the hint the first time I kicked you out! We're over Irvine and that's final!"
Seifer nearly laughed at the scene: Selphie busting out the shit on Irvine with an entire hallway of students watching. Irvine's face was a bloody mess, looks like little ol' Selphie broke his nose. Seifer closed the distance and picked Selphie up by her waist.
"What the-" She turned fiery eyes to Seifer. Once she recognized him though, her face softened. Once she realized what he did she blushed. "Ah, sorry you had to see that."
"It's okay." Seifer couldn't wipe the grin off his face. "It was worth it." He let Selphie down on her own feet.
"Don't touch my girl." Irvine drawled as he stood up. He took in Seifer with condescending eyes. "You gigalo."
"Don't start with me cowboy." Seifer's back was rigid with new anger. "And I suggest you stay away from Selphie, she isn't yours."
"Don't tell me what is mine and what isn't." Irvine threw a punch at Seifer. His fist landed on Seifer's left cheek with a crunch. Seifer saw stars for a second then returned Irvine's punch with one of his own. It landed solid on Irvine's non-bruised eye. He recoiled a second in pain then lunged at Seifer, taking him to the ground. The two went rolling across the hallway unceremoniously.
Fists flew as they went tumbling, some landing, some not. Elbows and knees were everywhere, mostly in sides or stomachs. Blood spilt and ragged screams were drawn.
Seifer was having fun.
Suddenly Irvine stopped the momentum and pinned Seifer to the floor. Irvine got in two shots to the face before Seifer gave him a right hook. Seifer could barely see Irvine; he guessed it was blood in his eyes. Irvine leaned back, ready to give a good pounding to Seifer's face when he realized that Seifer's feet were on his chest.
He had about one second to look surprised.
Then Irvine was launched into the air to come crashing into the wall. Seifer could tell, even through his blood-marred vision, that Irvine's breath had been chased out of him. His eyes were wide and he rebounded and fell to the floor in a heap.
Seifer sat up and leaned on his left arm while bringing his knee up and his right arm on top of it. He panted for a minute then looked at Selphie. She crossed her arms and huffed at him. She looked mad but Seifer could see the gleam of amusement in her eyes.
Just then another SeeD came around the corner, probably brought by the noise. "Oh Hyne." He rested his head on his hand. "It was my day off too. Alright everybody back into your rooms." The students hesitated. "Now!" They fled. "And you two…"
Seifer grinned.
The Seed shook his head and walked over to Irvine, who still lay on the floor. He shook Irvine and when he didn't move he checked for a pulse. "He's completely unconscious."
Selphie found her voice. "Take him to the infirmary. He'll wake up soon enough." The SeeD gave her a look. "That's an order." His face became solemn and he nodded his head, he then proceeded to drag Irvine to the infirmary.
Once he was out of earshot Selphie spoke to Seifer. "Well, get in here. I'll need to patch you up." Seifer did as he was told.
And he still couldn't get the grin off his face.
* * *
Dear Mother. I've found another girl today Mother. She has the Pain, she must. The poor thing can't even believe it Mother. She is hurt so much that she can't even help it. But I will help her, I will teach her Mother. I think perhaps that she will be my biggest lesson of all. Her Pain is so deep. I hurt for her. I want to help her Mother. I will take all the lessons you've taught me and teach her. Oh I can barely wait! I'm so excited Mother. She will be my masterpiece.
Selphie will be my symphony.
~* * *~
Note: And there we have it. Finally. Again I ask for forgiveness for the lateness of this chapter but I had a very close family member pass away. It left me with a deep sense of loss.
Please don't forget to review.
jade_ice17@hotmail.com