Between Heaven and Hell
Chapter 12: Melancholia
We saw Seifer standing in the distance, arms folded together, and even from far away, we saw that he wore that same disgusting smirk on his face. He laughed, unfolded his arms, and had pointed to us while slapping his thigh.
"Seifer…" We both muttered angrily.
I moved from behind Rinoa after Seifer saw us together; of course, I was a little embarrassed…
"…You two make quite the team! Breaking into other peoples' things, stealing from stashes, blowing up caves, you guys are magnificent!" Seifer said in a comical tone.
"Whatever." I said, rolling my eyes with a sigh.
He chuckled and folded his arms, "So, are you two through with your pathetic attempts to escape?"
"Pathetic?" Rinoa questioned, wiping her arms down with the water from the stream to rid her of the mud.
Seifer smirked, "You heard me, baby." Baby? Who does he think he is?
Rinoa shook her head, and without looking up to pay him any mind, answered, "Shut up."
I folded my arms and looked away. I can't stand to hear him. Maybe he noticed my discomfort because he turned to me with a smirk, "What's the matter lover boy? Am I upsetting you?"
Containing all urges to leap at him and punch his lights out, I muttered, "I'm just trying to figure out why you're here…"
Seifer chuckled and folded his arms behind his back, "Well…you steal my map and my cigarettes…and then I hear an explosion way over here. …I just had to see for myself. So tell me, what is it that you've discovered?"
Rinoa stood up from the ground slowly while clearing her throat, "…There isn't any--"
"Any way to escape, is there?" Seifer finished her words with a wide grin, "You took the map and ran, and I didn't even get a chance to tell you that the map is a phony. It's based on what people assumed…is was created by people who have never set foot onto this continent, people who work for your father."
"You seem to know so much about this place, why don't you tell us what you think of it?" I questioned, walking closer to him.
"There isn't any escape, and if there were, you really think that cave could be your answer?" He turned his back to me and laughed, "Yeah, kill a few T-Rexaurs, explore a cave, and then what…jump into the sea? I don't think so. Have you both forgotten we're surrounded by water? How else did we get here? We certainly weren't flown here! I'm embarrassed to say that you took that map and thought you had found a way out, Rinoa. I'm ashamed of you."
"I only did what was necessary! At least I'm trying! I'm not just sitting around pulling everyone else' hopes down because I feel sorry for myself-"
Seifer turned to her, anger in his eyes as if he could have thrown a lick at her, but I quickly stepped beside Rinoa and glared at him. He looked at me, and softened his eyes then paced back and forth before us with that smirk again.
"Rinoa, for as long as we've been here, I thought you would know better by now. Oh yeah…and you forgot one thing too." He dug into his pocket and pulled out a flattened pouch similar to the others Rinoa's been carrying in her backpack.
I studied the pouch in his hands for a second…and then I remembered…
There was an opened bag with four pouches, a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, a map, and two daggers similar to the kind Seifer nearly killed me with.
That's right…there were four pouches, how did we miss that one?
Rinoa tried to grab it from him, but he moved the bag away saying, "Nah-uh!" He teased, "Not yet! Rinoa dear, I thought you'd figure out a way to use these things properly, but seeing that you've wasted most of those bags with the exploding cave, I don't really trust you with my delicates." He turned to me with a glare, "And I just don't trust you at all." I shot him the same look and he smiled, "See? That attitude again."
I was ready to scuffle with him, but Rinoa placed her hand on my chest and continued to question Seifer, "Seifer, what are you planning to do with that?"
"…You'll see soon enough. Right now, we'll have to wait just another day…"
"Another day for what?" I asked, but he sneered at me.
"This does not concern you." He said walking away and without turning back to face us, Seifer yelled with a wave of his hand, "Rinoa, we'll have a little rendezvous later on, okay sweetheart!" His almost bass voice sounded throughout the forest.
I glared at his figure as it disappeared into the woody trees of the forest. Rinoa faced me and smirked, "…Just try to ignore him, he's--"
"A pain in my—"
"Squall!" Rinoa giggled softly then took a deep breath, "…Besides, I think he'll tell me whatever it is he's scheming…"
"You're going to meet with him?"
"Why not? I've got to find out what his purpose is."
"But Rinoa, are you sure you can trust that guy?"
"Don't worry Squall. I know how to handle myself, okay? What's the worry anyway? I arrived here with him, and I've been here with him before you came along so, I doubt he'll do anything to harm me."
"…I suppose." You don't know for sure. We all assume these images of one another, as trustworthy or dedicated, but does each take a moment to remember just why and how we got here? I placed my hand on my hip with a sigh.
Rinoa reassured, "Listen, I'll tell you everything he tells me, alright? Every single detail."
It's not about the information; it's about you: that's what I wanted to tell her. "…Rinoa." I was about to find a more suitable excuse to counter her attempt at meeting with Seifer, but…
"It doesn't matter what you say, Squall, I'm going and that's that!"
"Fine." I groaned and stared at the ground. "…I still don't like him."
"And I'm not saying that you should, but just this once…give him a chance."
"…Sure…whatever." Give him, Seifer, a chance? Give me a break. The guy nearly took me out with a dagger, what makes you think I'll trust him so easily.
Rinoa rested her hand on my shoulder to soothe my mind, "…I know you don't agree, Squall…but I have to know. Please…" Her eyes were begging me to understand, and I did, but I just don't like the idea of her seeing him alone. What if something happens? Then what?
After taking a deep mollifying breath, I allowed my eyes to meet with hers and I smirked, "…Don't worry about me…just do what you want. I won't stand in your way."
"Thank you." She said with a smile, and I swallowed my pride and returned the gesture.
A little later, Rinoa and I had completely removed the mud from our bodies using the stream water. As helpful as it was to have mud applied to our limbs, the irritation was beginning to get the worst of even me. I couldn't take it any longer, and neither could Rinoa. So we spent about half an hour trying to wash every speck of mud from ourselves.
Afterwards, we decided to head back into the safer zone and near the tree. At least, that area seemed to be the safest place in these forests; however, as we walked, I had this unnerving feeling that we were being followed; by who or what I had no clue. Strange, we caused an explosion, yet we haven't had a single encounter since and now all of a sudden this…
Lightly, very faintly, I heard rumbling from behind us. I looked over my shoulder but saw nothing, "What's wrong?" Rinoa asked me, slightly limping as she walked.
"…Did you hear something?"
Her eyes were downcast; I realized she was trying to focus her listening. After a few seconds, she looked at me worriedly and asked, "…What's that?"
Closer and louder the thumping became and I recognize that pattern; it's got to be a T-Rexaur somewhere behind us.
"Squall, take this." Rinoa said while taking a cigarette from her pocket and handing it to me. "…I…can't find the lighter though." She said, taking the bag's strap from her shoulder. "I can't remember where I put it." She was about to dig into her bag but I didn't think it would be necessary to find the lighter but die by the jaws of that beast.
"No time to think about it, let's go!" I said and grabbed her hand, and we ran swiftly. Seconds after our running, the hideous excuse for a life roared above all other noises, chirps, and sounds of the forest. Rinoa and I realized that this T-Rexaur might have followed our scents from the green fields…it wanted us dead because we were responsible for killing its 'Queen.'
I glanced back, and in that moment I saw the T-Rexaur leaping over rotten trees that had fallen to the ground some time ago and blocked pathways. I faced forward and resumed running, and I saw Rinoa struggling beside me. I held her hand tightly and forced her to run. "Rinoa! Come on!"
"Squall!" My name was the only thing she could speak. I gritted my teeth together and forced my strength to make her run a little faster. She screamed and I felt her catching up to my speed, but then I realized why she had suddenly quickened her pace when I glance over my shoulder once more.
The hellish fury in that T-Rexaur's eyes, the steam shooting from each of its nostrils, the quaking of its heavy feet slamming against the ground: it was like watching death riding a horse, scythe in hand, just waiting to claim our souls. And I turned back, feeling a tear blown across my face from my eye as the winds from our running carried it away.
Rinoa screamed again when we noticed the T-Rexaur rapidly approaching us. Again I realized Rinoa shouldn't be in this situation, so I calmed myself down and came up with a slight solution. Because we were running so close together, I figured it would be better if we split up. If Rinoa ran to her right and me to the left, we could easily lose that prick.
"Rinoa, we'll split up and go the opposite way on the count of three, okay!"
"…Squall!"
"There's no other way!"
"…Alright!" She yelled back.
The T-Rexaur released its hideous screech from behind us and we released each other's hands.
"On the count of three! One!" I started the count off.
"Two!" She screamed.
"Three!" We both yelled together and split from our path, and I continued to run. I ran as far as I could away from that T-Rexaur, but I realized I could still hear it's panting behind me. I yelled and forced my legs to run faster.
And it leapt twice behind me to enclose its attack against me. "It's coming." I said to myself and had dug into my pocket to pull the cigarette bomb Rinoa recently gave me. Sure, I had a bomb, but I didn't have the lighter! Rinoa has the lighter! Why did she give me a bomb and not the lighter! Wait…I was the genius that forced us to run away and not get the lighter, wasn't I?
"Dammit!"
I squeezed the cigarette in my hand and felt the powder seeping out. "Oh no!" The cigarette had been damaged, and now…that thing was approaching me quickly and I had nothing. When I looked back, I never imagined how horrifying those things really were…
It growled, its horrible screech sounding like a crowd roaring with laughter. It was laughing at me, just as I had been laughing at those convicts! This T-Rex was mocking me!
My heart raced as I threw the pouch back into the face of the T-Rexaur, and it connected. I heard the beast scream out and stop its chasing, to try and cleanse the poison from its eyes.
"What! It worked!" Before I could sigh in relief, I remembered that I still needed to get away from the T-Rex.
I cut through the forest and lost myself between hordes of trees. After a few minutes, I guess the T-Rexaur decided to give up on me. I hadn't heard its stomping in the distance, so I figured I was safe at the moment. I stopped running and leaned forward onto a tree, catching my breath for a few moments.
…I wonder what happened to Rinoa, is she safe? I'm glad the T-Rex didn't chase after her because she was injured and running slower than me… What if there were two? What if Rinoa…
"…No Squall, don't think that way. Rinoa will okay." I reassured myself. When my heavy breathing finally subsided, I stood straight and sighed, "…What now?"
After wandering in the forest alone, I had found the same 'haven' that I discovered some time ago. Surprisingly, it remained in the shape from before; its dark green pond, mossy grass, and muddy ground...typical. The air was much lighter here and it offered that gentle, relaxed atmosphere. Finally, I could allow myself to ease and rest for a moment.
I took a seat at the edge of the pond and moved my hand into the dirty water, boringly creating misty ripples, which unsteadied the rest of the pond. I smirked, removed my hand, and lied back in the soggy grass. Before I could have a moment of peace, I was reminded of the terrifying recent events by my own mind…
My heart pounds in my chest whenever I think about what I've been through the last few days…
Since arriving here, I've discovered more about myself; whenever I'm alone, I tend to think more than anything else. Back then I never really had time to ponder my life, I always had to do the duties of others, always had to serve and please them…I never once had fun for only myself, alone. There was work, my family, Selphie, and then work again…
My life was 'perfect'…and yet, it was so dull. I basically lived orderly and scheduled…everything was organized, perfectly organized and had fallen right into place.
I hated it…
"So you say your fiancée gave you problems, right?" Odine asked me and I removed my hands from my face. "I know a way that will fix all your worries. You're a real nice guy Squall, and I know you don't deserve that kind of treatment, so I'll let you in on a little secret. I have the power to make a person disappear without a trace--"
Yes, I remember Odine saying those words to me, and then losing control of myself. Even though my feelings for Selphie have subsided, I guess couldn't tolerate anyone making threats against her. I wouldn't have it.
…This makes me wonder why I blanked out on the field. I kept feeling hot…like my body was on fire and burning up. I feared waking to charred skin and fingernails that had rolled back because of the searing heat. I didn't want to wake up in the cavern. I'm just thankful Rinoa was there with me. She was the only reason I had opened my eyes…she called my name.
And Rinoa…she looked worried too. Makes me wonder if something happened besides what she said.
Just moments before I had fully awakened, I heard a car. Just why in the hell did I hear car tires? There is no way a car could be in the forest, could there?
What's happening to me? I feel lost…
"Fujin!" What the hell? Who's calling Fujin? Is someone else here? I got to my feet quickly and walked toward the male's voice. "Fujin!" He said again. It wasn't Zell's voice…
I stepped on a branch and heard the male gasp suddenly. "Who's there!" He called out.
"…It's me, Squall! Where are you!" I yelled to him.
"Over here." I heard his deep voice not too far from me. Through the green and hazel trees I found Rajin sitting next to Fujin's body. When I approached them, I heard Fujin writhe in pain.
"What happened to her!" I asked the worried Rajin, and he sighed without looking at me again.
"I found her awhile ago. She was being threatened by a T-Rexaur. …Fujin practically gave herself to that thing and …if I hadn't arrived sooner, she would already be dead."
"Squall…" She said softly as I studied her face. Rajin had torn his shirt and tied it around her head where it covered her wounded eye. Her clothes seemed worn and dirtier than before, and she was bleeding from her face again. I covered my mouth and knelt beside her, opposite of where Rajin sat. "…Hey there." She said to me, displaying an obvious façade with her smile.
I uncovered my mouth and swallowed hard to force a salutation as well, "Hi again…"
She chuckled softly, "I guess I hung in there for as long as I could…eh?" She said, her voice growing lower with every word. "…I'll probably…I'll probably see that kid on the other side, huh…?" Does she mean Zell? If that's the case, I'd better tell her.
"Fuj, don't talk like that. You're gonna be fine, ya know?" Rajin said to her, wiping the blood from her face and squeezing her hand in his.
"Rajin…" She said with another smile. "It's alright…"
"…Zell's…not dead." I finally said.
"…What?" She looked at me quizzically, "He's still out there somewhere?"
"Yeah, he's out looking for you. Rinoa and I…we saw him just last night! Fujin, I'm sure you'll see him soon. All you have to do is hang in there just a little longer." I said, hoping she'd fight against her pain and prevail over death just to see Zell once more.
Fujin focused her attention to the sky, "…Zell's alive?" She smirked, "I knew he'd be okay. I…believed in him." She rested her cheek against the ground and sighed, "…He looked so much like my kid brother, but I guess…it's good to learn he's still alive. Well… I guess I'll be able to see him again…my brother that is…"
"Fujin…" My vocals hurt just to speak her name. I can't believe she's about to die.
"Don't worry…we have to be free…someday." With a heavy sigh, Fujin's face eased into the comfort of the earth. …She crossed over.
Rajin closed her eyelid and cried beside her face. "Fujin, no…"
…Goodbye.
"…She was in pain…terrible pain." Rajin whispered as he studied her corpse. She died just a few moments ago, but Rajin can't seem to part with his longtime friend. Brushing her blonde hairs behind her ears and smiling he continued, "…She isolated herself from everyone because of her injuries. Just as she predicted, T-Rexaurs were drawn to her blood…and they hungered for her flesh." He sobbed, "She always was that way. If Fujin had a personal problem, she would handle it on her own; …wouldn't ask anyone for a lick of help. …She was strong, ya know?"
I understand. That would explain why he abandoned her after making that huge mistake in the bank robbery. I can just picture her telling him to run and fighting off the soldiers on her own. "…Yeah, I know." Because of her strength, I know Fujin probably wants to shoo him away from her body and fight for his own survival. "…Rajin, I'm sure she wouldn't want you crying for her—"
"How do you know!" Rajin spat, turning to me angrily. He cradled Fujin in his arms and glared at me, "Don't you talk to me like you've known her your whole life! You know nothing about Fujin!" He cried out, "She meant everything to me! We went through so much together…"
"…I'm sorry."
He scowled, "Shut up! Get the hell away from us!"
"Rajin I--"
"Now!"
I opened my mouth, but silenced myself and turned away from him. As I walked away, I could hear him whimpering into her lifeless body as if his tears could bring her back to life. Of course I'm sad about the death of Fujin, but I didn't mean to cause any harm.
But…Rajin was probably in shock, that's why he yelled. I don't blame him… I think I'd react the same way if someone close to me suddenly died…
I took a seat and leaned my back against a wide and darkened tree. I had stared into its evergreen leaves as its color blended with the blueness of the sky. Fujin did this just a few moments ago; she probably realized how peaceful today is, actually. "Fujin…"
She's the first of us to go…the luckiest…
Fate finally caught up to her, and she accepted it without doubt; experienced the punishment she deserved, right? No way did she merit death…regardless of what the media says about her, I knew Fujin…she was a warmhearted woman. The public has it all wrong about us; they don't realize we're just like everyone else. We make mistakes too, don't we? We don't deserve this…
But at least Fujin is finally at peace. Then I shouldn't cry for her, should I…?
…I felt my eyes stinging with tears and I couldn't hold back my sorrow… I moved my hand over my eyes and began to cry. "…Not like this…we can't die like this."
…The things we've done…just can't match up to this cruelty…but then… The cruelty we showed our victims…we showed no mercy, no forgiveness. We acted upon the instincts of the darkness in our hearts.
Anything can happen when you're not feeling like your normal self.
Why are his words bothering me so much? They're beginning to haunt me…and I'm…scared… I'm afraid to know if I intentionally killed Odine. Seeing myself take down that T-Rexaur with ease proves that I have what it takes to do such a thing. Swearing and pummeling him at once, what was I thinking! If I didn't have any love for Selphie, what the hell was driving me to destroy him!
I shook my head. There are just too many pieces to put together. I ran my hands through my hair and took a deep breath. Hopefully, I can figure this out…but right now, I have to find Rinoa…
"Rinoa… I have to tell her about Fujin, now."
Author's Grove:
Hi everyone and sorry for the long delay. Things were rough; however, I finished another chapter. Sorry if this chapter bored you, but tension will rise next time…(hopefully not your tension! lol)
Let's see, there are only a few more to go… Anyway, here's the thank you list-
Yuleen75- Hey, my cookie collection is growing thanks to you and IttanMomen, lol. I'm glad you loved that last chapter because after this one it gets even more devastating! –snickers- lol
Yae-I'm grinning from one ear to the other! lol, I'm really glad you love the story, and its funny to hear that you left people waiting just to read! lol. Classic! I hope you liked this chapter as well.
Jen- Long time no see! Thanks for taking the time to catch up again, and also thanks for complimenting my writing. I've been trying to describe more lately, and I do hope to keep up the good work!
Ayato- Indeed. lol. Thanks for reading and reviewing my stories! It means a lot to me! And I'll have another following soon…
Blue- -ahem- (lol) The size of the eggs…here we go. Take two pencils (or pens) and put them eraser-to-eraser, then picture a hardened eggshell around them. That should be the length of your wrist to your elbow, right? (Maybe even a few more inches longer…) T-Rexaurs hatch and are very tiny when they've first hatch. They eat one another to survive (this explains why there are so few in the forests, hehe) and their heights double every two weeks. By adolescence, they've reached the height of the adults and continue to grow. (That's why the Queen T-Rexaur's back scrapes the cavern's ceiling, lol) So…Rinoa could pick up two at one time, but in each hand…notice she smashed two together, but threw the rest of the egg on the wall because there was just so much egg to go around haha. I'm sorry I failed to explain them in detail… -sighs- oh well, I hope you got all that. lol. T-Rexaurs are really gross, aren't they? Such horrible creatures! Anyway, I'm honored to have received a review from you, but as you can see, I've out rambled you! lol. (All this space I'm taking up, I bet you guys thought this chapter was just That long, eh? lol Sorry!) Finally, I'm glad you love the story, it'll end really soon, so stick around okay?
Lady-Rinoa- Thank you! lol, that's what I love about action adventure…I can be cruel but a comedian at the same time, lol. I'm glad you like the little romance I have in the mix. I'll be sure to include more later on too. I'm glad that you updated your story as well, and I look forward to reading more. Yes, Squall and Rinoa were very unlucky and kinda still are…
Lol…Alright! I'm done! I'm working on the next update, so hopefully you all shouldn't wait so long! I'm sorry for the delay, but pressure was rising and I had to take a breather.
So tell me if you loved it hated it, who knows, I just want to know how I did this time! And if it was a drag, I'll make it up to you next chapter, promise! (Oh wait…I can't promise…lol I'm joking!)
Thank you!
StardustRay