Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7 or any of its characters, although I wish I did.
This story does jump from the past to the present quite a bit. This chapter is set in the past. I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 4: Conversation (53 years in the past)
The young boy huddled in his usual corner in his room, in the mental institute. He had been here for five months and he hated it. Everyday one of the doctors would come and talk to him or inject drugs into him or even both. At the moment he was waiting for them to come. His eyes remained fixed on the door in front of him. He waited for about fifteen more minutes, then suddenly the door slid open. A young woman with blonde, curly hair and a man with dark brown hair entered. They were both wearing white lab coats. Vincent knew who these two people were very well.
The man was the doctor who came to Vincent most of the time. His name was Dr. Terriano and he always used a calm, gentle tone when talking to Vincent. He was kind to Vincent, but Vincent still hated him because of the drugs he gave him. The woman was the nurse who always helped Dr. Terriano. Her name was Rekeela Luentano. She brought Vincent his meals and helped hold him still whenever the doctor was giving him drugs. She did her best to make sure Vincent felt relaxed and unafraid, although at times it was very difficult to do so.
"Hello again, Vincent," Rekeela said in a sweet voice as she smiled at him.
Vincent didn't say anything. He just remained, huddled up in his little corner. Rekeela strolled over to him and bent down beside him. Dr. Terriano remained standing by the door, watching. Rekeela gently tried to coax Vincent out of the corner. She knew better then to order him to move.
"Come on, Vincent, get up. We're going to have another talk today," she whispered softly to him.
After a few minutes Vincent stirred slightly. Rekeela gave him a warm smile and took his arm as he slowly stood up. She slipped her hand into his and led him over to Dr. Terriano. When they reached him the doctor gave Vincent a small smile then left the room. Rekeela followed him gently leading Vincent beside her.
They walked down a few corridors and at last entered a small room. A large desk filled half of the room. It had a chair behind it and two chairs were positioned in front of it. In the far right hand corner was a filing cabinet and pictures covered the walls. Vincent knew this room quite well. It was Dr. Terriano's office and also the place where the doctor always had his discussions with Vincent. He sighed as Dr. Terriano walked behind the desk and sat down in the chair. The doctor glanced over at Vincent and gave him an encouraging smile, indicating to one of the two chairs on the other side of the desk.
"Please Vincent, have a seat," he said gently.
Rekeela let Vincent's hand go and walked over to one of the two chairs and sat down. Vincent followed her and sat on the last chair. He pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them. He sighed and turned his gaze to floor below him.
"Vincent I'd like you to tell me about these spirits that only you can talk to," the doctor requested, putting a small folder on the desk, in front of him and opening it.
Vincent didn't answer at first and remained staring at the floor. He stayed that way for another few minutes before he slowly turned to look at the doctor. He immediately looked back at the floor when his eyes met the expecting eyes of the doctor. Slowly he opened his mouth to speak.
"I'm the last of my kind. I'm the only summoner there is left. All summoners have the ability to talk to spirits known as summonings and each summoner has his or her very own summoning that acts as their guardian and protector. My guardian is called Serenady and she has healing abilities," Vincent explained quietly, staring at the floor as if it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
Eventually he looked back up at the Dr Terriano.
"Now can I go home," Vincent asked softly.
The doctor gave a weary sigh and looked at Vincent with a very serious expression.
"Vincent, there is no such thing as summoners or summonings. It is just your imagination; they aren't real. Usually we wouldn't think someone of your age was mentally unstable if they thought these kind of things because usually they never really believe that they are real; they just pretend they are. However Vincent you truly believe that these summonings really exist and that you are not like anyone else. These thoughts affect your actions and make you mentally unstable, and I am afraid that you can't leave here and go home until you stop believing these thoughts," Dr. Terriano replied gently, giving Vincent a sympathetic look.
"But.," Vincent began.
"I'm sorry, Vincent," Dr. Terriano interrupted.
Vincent looked back down at the floor, biting his lower lip as tears began to form in his eyes. All he wanted was to go back home to his adopted parents. He didn't want to stay in this mental institute any longer. He tried desperately not to cry, but no matter how hard he tried the tears still fell from his eyes silently.
"Rekeela, please take Vincent back to his room," Dr. Terriano said, stilling looking at Vincent's crying form.
Rekeela gave him a nod and slowly stood up. She walked over to where Vincent was sitting and crouched down in front of him. Very gently she placed a hand on one of his arms.
"Come on, Vincent. Let's go back to your room," she whispered softly.
Vincent simply nodded and stood up, shaking slightly with the realization that he wouldn't be going home. He followed Rekeela out of the office and together they walked down the corridors to Vincent's room. Vincent didn't say a word and Rekeela knew that at the moment it was useless to try and start a conversation. Eventually they reached their destination and Rekeela opened the door. Vincent slowly entered and stood in the centre of the room.
"Get some sleep, Vincent," Rekeela advised, still standing in the doorway.
Vincent looked over his shoulder at her, with a blank expression on his face. He watched her as she left the room and closed the door behind her, then he sighed sadly to himself. He walked over to his usual corner and sat down drawing his knees back up to his chest and wrapping his arms protectively around his legs. It's not fair, he thought. Why doesn't anyone believe me? What I'm telling them is the truth, so why? If they did believe me then I could go home, but they don't and I can't lie to them and pretend that what I am isn't real. I going to be stuck here forever. Oh, what am I going to do?
AN - Review! Review! Review! Remember this chapter is set in the past when Vincent is five years old. Next chapter will be up as soon as possible.