Chapter 2: Old Friends

Tidus awoke from a terrible dream twelve hours later. He looked drowsily at his alarm clock and saw that it was around three in the afternoon. He sat up and put his head in his hands. He cried out as pain shot through his fingertips. He examined them and remembered the horrible interrogation. He picked up the phone and dialed. Please… Please one of them be there… The phone began to ring.

Yuna rolled over in her queen-sized bed. She tried her best not to disturb her twin sister Lenne as she climbed over her to get to the phone. It's not as if they are lesbians or into incest, they just figured that they could save money for food or rent if they had only one bed. Yuna fumbled with the receiver and picked it up. She groggily mumbled a greeting. "Hello?"

"Yuna? I need your help."

"Tidus? I don't need this crap. You know I don't have a job and sleep all day."

"Yeah, you are lazy. But, that isn't the point. They are after Rikku. Please, meet me at the café on Third and Main."

"But, I am broke…"

"I don't give a shit. I'll buy. Bring Lenne… I guess…"

"Fine… Around four?"

"Sure."

Yuna and Lenne walked down to meet Tidus and found with a table already. Yuna sat down and Lenne followed suit. Tidus put up his hand to shake, and Yuna saw the bandages he had wrapped them in. "What happened?" Yuna asked, suddenly afraid for the man that had made her life hell. Lenne remained silent, a feat that she excelled at. Tidus pulled back his hand unshaken and sighed. "Two men tortured me to find out where Rikku was. I finally made up a lie to get them to stop."

"What did they do to you?" Tidus sighed again and told them the story of the interrogation from his perspective. Yuna cringed at the thought of making him listen to country music. Then again… He did… no, I can't wish that on anyone. They all ordered a cup of coffee and Yuna said, "That is all great, but why did you want to speak with me?"

"You aren't too bright, are you?" Lenne cracked a smile at this. "I mean, they obviously know where I live. When they find out that I lied, they will come after me. Again. I need somewhere to stay…"

"No."

"But-"

"Hear him out, Yuna." Lenne said, for the first time. Then it was Yuna's time to say: "But-"

"I have a job. I can pay for part of the rent, my own meals, and I can help support your… habit." Lenne stared daggers into Yuna, and asked, "What the hell is he talking about?"

Yuna sighed. "I… am addicted to… a subtle form of opium. It won't show up on a drug test. It's like the illegal equivalent of light cigs. Except… an injection method." Lenne gasped and looked away.

"Tidus, you can come. But only if you-" Lenne cut her off. "Only if you do not pay for her drugs." Tidus nodded and reached into his pocket to pay for their coffee.