To make up for the shortness and not so good (in my own opinion) last chapter, I bring you this one. And I warned you, I asked but no one answered directly, so now look…Longness happened! lol Before it starts, a few words for a few people—Blue, you're going to be pleased with a certain event in this chapter, you'll see.---doom18769, it's a bizarre plot, isn't it?—Tsuki—Thank you!---Ittan-momen—You've eaten those berries, haven't you? O.O lol thanks Ittanmomen, I didn't see that! lol
Thanks and Enjoy!
Between Heaven and Hell
Chapter 17: Renaissance
A loud thump on the door sounded, waking me instantly, and a man barged into the room with a wide grin on his face, giving me the jitters. He brought inside a wave of wind, but surprisingly no light had shone from the opened door; still, the bitterness of the cold air seemed to get the better of me and I shivered underneath my cover.
He stood there in the doorway, wearing a white windbreaker jacket and blue shorts, an odd combination might I add, as if immune to the cold. I started to scream at him to shut the door, but he walked to the dresser and placed a plate of food down, allowing an apple to roll about the dresser's countertop. He then walked to the door and turned back to me smirking, "Bon appetit." And with that, he excused himself from the room.
I stared at the dish, marveled by its presence…and wiped my eyes to be sure it was no mirage. When the image of food hadn't vanished, I got from my bed quickly and limped toward the dresser.
On the plate, there was fried fish and colorful vegetables ranging from potatoes to bell peppers, something I'm not too fond of; however…anything looked desirable and appealing to me at that moment. I moved the stool before the dresser so I could sit and eat from the plate, devouring the fish in gulps at time. Because my nose hurt whenever I breathed through it, I was careful to inhale air with a fish-filled mouth. I had used the fork to round up pieces of seasoned-boiled potatoes, and other pieces of vegetables, and then pushed the forkful inside my mouth as well.
After scraping away the last pieces of food, I took a deep breath, glad that my stomach could now have some closure, but noticed I had lacked a drink. … I looked down at the green apple and smiled, taking it into my hands and wiping its peel with my shirt, "Next…" I mumbled before taking a vicious bite from its mid and chewing quickly. I feared biting my tongue in the process, but then again…the sting would subside easily due to my level of hunger and eagerness to get something inside my system.
I stood from the stool, sighed refreshingly, and headed to the exit with the half-bitten apple in hand. After opening the door, I decided to explore the boat's exterior once again. It was dark… Weren't we supposed to be in FH by evening, according to Quistis?
Closing my door, I walked around to the front deck, but kept going, making the turn until I found the room Rinoa was kept inside. I finished the apple and threw the core on the ground, then opened the door quickly before anyone had a chance to stop me, and saw Rinoa sleeping in bed.
Before I walked any closer, I took a moment to study her fragile body as it lay motionlessly on the bed, for a second, the sight frightened me: Rinoa could easily have been mistaken for dead. Around her eyes were dark circles, her nose was red, and because the room was so quiet, I could hear her heavy breathing from where I stood at the door. She had wrapped herself in the crème comforter and tightened her fists around its edges to secure a wrench safe grip; never wanting the warmth to end, I take it… Seeing Rinoa this way had broken my heart. I wasn't sure if it were a good idea to stay with her, continue to be a useless watcher, or leave… I sighed heavily and was about to face the door, when I saw her eyes opening slowly.
"Rinoa…?" I questioned her consciousness and she looked at me, forcing a smile and weakly closing her eyes again. I shut the door all the way, hearing its snap behind me, and walked toward her bed. "Rin, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just…I'm just not feeling too well." She whispered.
I could understand why, I mean…I made her jump into the ocean, didn't I? "…I'm sorry." …Apologies, the last thing I wanted to hear, the first thing to come from my mouth…
"No…I've never taken a liking to water anyway." But that's not the case, Rinoa. It was stupid of me to come up with that kind of plan in the first place. We were both weak and hadn't eaten in days, that's not the type of status to swim in. "Even so…" She finished, "I'm just glad we made it out alive. I almost died out there…"
…That makes two of us. "…I thought you did."
She laughed shakily, "Probably…I can't explain it… I felt my entire body shutting down, but I couldn't warn you at that time. All I could do was…drown."
As odd as it may sound Rinoa, "…Me too." She smiled again, but coughed into the palm of her hand. "…Are you okay?" I asked walking near her as she cringed her body into a ball, coughing into her palm once again.
"I'm fine…" She tried to laugh but coughed again, and I sat beside her on the bed as she ceased her coughing, "I…was wondering how we might have ended up there. I guess we were closer to the shore than we thought, huh?"
"Maybe..." …Closer probably, or maybe my body took control of me again. Either way, I'd rather not know. "Whatever it was…we shouldn't look into it much."
"I agree… Better to say we lived through it all, right?"
"Precisely."
Rinoa sighed, "Squall…thanks for staying with me."
In the water, I didn't know what came over me; it was as if she were my duty somehow. Although…we did make a promise before stealing the vessel… So in a way, I had remembered her words, and by that time, I had already decided that if she were to die, I would follow. "…Well…I just did what I wanted to do."
Once again, Rinoa's smile returned and I couldn't help but feel my own mouth itching to do the same. We had stared at one another for a few moments in total silence, until the door creaked open and Quistis spoke inside, "We've docked, but Esthar's onto us. Hurry up and grab some coats from the dresser. Then, follow us into city." Just as quickly as she entered, she had exited, and Rinoa turned to me with worry in her eyes.
I took a deep breath and eased my tensed shoulders with a shrug muttering, "Looks like we're not finished just yet." As I stood from her bed, Rinoa sat up and flung her legs to the side to join me. It's good to know how strong Rinoa's will is, seeing how swiftly she moves when danger lurks nearby. I crouched near the dark wooded dresser and opened a drawer. There were shirts and coats all folded into layers readying themselves for usage, just as Quistis said before. "Rinoa, here." I grabbed a blue coat for her and a black jacket for myself.
She took the coat from my hand quickly and put it on with haste, then trailed toward the door. I slid my arms inside the jacket's sleeves and realized there was a hood with a trim of fur around it. I sighed sadly, but ignored the puffiness and followed Rinoa out of the room.
As we made our way off the boat and onto the docks, I put the furry hood to good use and pulled it over my head, hiding my face with its deepness. It would at least hide my face from any strangers; seeing that I am an outlaw or whatever fancy name they've given us. Rinoa's coat lacked a hood, but her hair more than made up for it; she had taken her hair out of the ponytail and allowed it to flow down her face and shoulders.
If our stealth techniques couldn't hide us, the darkness would. It was almost pitch black outside, had it not been for the lamps on each of the corners of the planked docking area. Through the dim light, I could see Quistis' figure up ahead taking a tall steel ladder up, and her two partners were even farther in front her, midway through climbing the ladder. …Do they realize the conditions we're in; I'm limping and Rinoa's ill. But I guess, when Esthar's traveling somewhere behind, who cares if there are any stragglers…
When we finally reached the ladder, I let Rinoa go before me, and then I followed after her. I took one look at the docks before I went up and saw nothing; is Quistis absolutely sure someone's on our trail? Or maybe Esthar's using that camouflage advan-…no I don't want to think about it.
"Quickly, in here!" Quistis announced as we approached an old boarded up house in Fisherman's Horizon. After climbing up that ladder, we had run down more than a few stairs, which led into the district area where houses were scattered about everywhere. I couldn't make out anything I saw because of the darkness, but…I did see what Quistis had pointed to, the most raggedy two story house I had ever laid eyes on. It…wasn't at all what I had expected to see, but at least we could hide somewhere…
As we reached the door, it fluttered open with a bang against the inner wall behind, almost taking the door from its hinges. A tall man stood in the doorway, face as stern and menacing as ever. Of course, with him standing in the darkness like that, he'd look menacing regardless. "Hurry up." He ordered; standing aside so the four of us could enter into the hideaway.
Just as Rinoa walked inside, she ran toward the man and wrapped her arms around his waist shouting, "Dad!" He gave her a warm bear hug as well, and the two seemed to forget that danger was still brewing. So this is her father? I've read all those articles about him but I've never seen any pictures of him…if I had, he certainly doesn't look the same. But maybe the past few months have stressed him out and his appearance has changed? It's a possibility. He was skinny and doesn't seem to have eaten in days because his frame looked so weak. His graying hair was slicked back and under his eyes were darkening circles similar to Rinoa's.
"Rinoa…" He muttered, keeping her close, all the while the rest of us had still remained quietly in one place. I removed the hood from my head and saw the others fidgeting around the room. The guy in the white windbreaker closed the door and walked over to Quistis with a smirk. Before he could tell her his amusing thought, Caraway sighed, "I knew you would make it out alive. Nothing can get in the way of a Caraway!"
Rinoa smiled as she received a kiss on her forehead from her father. She hadn't said another word to him, but I guess…it was already understood what she might have wanted to say.
However, if she wouldn't speak, I knew what I wanted to say to him…I had quite a few words stashed away, specially reserved for him. But…Rinoa was near…I couldn't possibly strike at him when she's around, it wouldn't be fair. I didn't want her to turn away from me…
I sighed and faced a boarded window behind me, but Rinoa noticed my sighing… She cleared her throat, and then I heard her walking toward me, "Dad, this is Squall. I owe him my life." She said, tugging on both of my shoulders, forcing me to turn around and face her father.
"Squall Loire, yes I know well who he is." He paced toward Rinoa and me, and eased his seriousness into a smile. Caraway held out his hand, motioning for me to shake it, which I did, after a few moments of hesitation. He strongly spoke, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
…A pleasure all right: it's a pleasure to meet the bastard responsible for getting me here. I faked a smile and nodded my head slowly, suppressing the need to do some serious damage to him. But all thoughts ceased when Rinoa rested against my back weakly, and I felt her hot breath against my shoulder. Despite her happiness and excitement, she remains unwell.
"Rinoa." I said while releasing his hand and facing her. She stumbled onto me and nearly passed out, but I caught her and looked around, "Quick, she needs to lie down somewhere!"
"What's wrong with my baby?" Caraway questioned us all, but everyone practically ignored him. Quistis motioned for me to follow her as one of the guys decided to explain Rinoa's illness to Caraway. I could still hear their voices throughout the house as I followed Quistis with Rinoa in my arms, pacing down a brief hallway, which led into dark bedroom.
"Sir, she probably has a cold. I'll get her more sedatives if you like, sir."
"Thank you, Watts. If it's possible, see if there's any penicillin in the cabinet too."
"Right away, sir."
"Good. Zone, have a look outside and make sure the coast is clear. I don't want Kramer to run into any trouble on his way here."
"Roger!"
Kramer? Who's he?
I laid Rinoa on the bed gently and moved her legs underneath the soft sheets already spread across the mattress. I wondered; has Caraway lived in this house for sometime? Quistis walked out of the room to help her partners I guess, but I stayed with Rinoa.
I planted a kiss on her cheek and watched her eyes close for a longer period of time.
"…Squall, all I need is rest. Don't worry about me…." She said softly, turning over and falling asleep quickly. I smiled, allowing her to do so.
"…I know, Rinoa." I muttered, and quietly made my way out of the room.
Caraway was standing near a boarded window, tapping his foot with great haste, as if lost in thought. He rubbed his chin and sighed, "He's late… Why does he always do this to me?"
"Who's late?" I asked, approaching him slowly. He had turned from the window and stared down at me, almost frowning.
"Cid Kramer…we're supposed to make the switch at midnight."
Cid Kramer, now there's a name I am unfamiliar with. He's probably the only one that hasn't been arrested or convicted for any felony. He might even be the only person whose name isn't in the news or headlines a lot, although it's vaguely familiar.
"Kramer's bringing a small vessel to me, that's where I'll put Rinoa on it and—" Was I right or what? He thinks of no one but Rinoa…I know, she's his daughter, so I guess— "Don't look at me like that! You think I'd let you go with my baby?" What look? I gave him a look? I wasn't even aware of it…I guess it came natural to me… "From the first moment you stepped inside, I saw that you despised me."
He closed the gap between us and pointed in my face, " I know who you are Mr. Loire, you're a man whose just lost everything, you were forced to watch other people die by those T-Rexaurs, you've witnessed more casualties than most soldiers have in war, and you were forced to mingle with people unlike yourself; I know exactly who you are. You're someone most likely to kill another simply because all the steam, anger, and hate in your body have nested, and you can release on anyone at any given moment! You're a bomb just waiting to happen. I refuse to let you go with my daughter as you are. This is the last step for you, son."
With his words said, something inside me suddenly snapped…and I unleashed…hell hath no fury.
"Who do you think you are? You don't know anything about me! Yeah, I've seen people eaten by beasts, watched them cry out loud for help, but couldn't do anything to save them! I was driven to fear beyond any imagination! I even lost control of myself at times, but through it all, I protected your daughter with my life! I didn't have to do that, I chose to! So it shouldn't be a surprise that I'd even hate the sight of you! It was your fault that I had to go through all that! Because of you, I was sentenced to death! But do you really want to know my problem, why I truly despise you! It's because of you Rinoa was sent there, and she starved, bled, and cried for you! You have no idea what it was like in that place, and Rinoa survived there for weeks, in hell and all for you! That's more than any of us can take, put together!"
"What! What did you say!"
"You heard me! I know you heard every single word I just said! She told me… She told me everything! …You bastard! She took the fall for you!" My legs carried me over so I could stand directly before Caraway, intentionally glaring at him. "I'll be damned if I let you get away with that! You're responsible for not one, but two seats on that vessel…" I had flashed two fingers in his face for emphasis, and he merely flinched. I pulled my hand away and stepped back from him, glaring still. "If you don't like that, Mr. Caraway, tough luck, because Rinoa's going with me. Quite frankly, I don't trust her with you—"
"And neither do I." A voice called from the door, and a short man wearing a red coat and brown pants was standing in the doorway. He pushed his glasses up from his nose and gave Caraway a wide grin.
"Kramer, you son of a—come here!" Caraway shouted and walked over to the man, wrapping him in a friendly embrace. The two old men laughed heartily and Caraway turned to face me once more. "This is Cid Kramer—" You've got to be kidding me. "For your convenience, he's taking Rinoa, not me."
"Well I'd hope so." Cid cut in, "You'd have the poor girl working fulltime in the offices as usual." In the offices, all right…more like slaving to produce more powder for his underground schemes…
Cid's smile became a frown as he cleared his throat to speak again, "…I was watching the news a little while ago and heard that a vessel exploded on the shores of Esthar." The vessel? I knew about the explosion, but…the others… "Colonel Biggs stated that only one person made it out alive, and has yet to release the name. They say he was immediately taken to the hospital and is currently being treated. He's most likely to survive, although he's still not doing too well." Zell or Seifer…? It's probably Zell because Seifer was chained inside. Damn… How am I going to tell Rinoa about Seifer? Then again, she knew what would happen anyway… "Well, no other news had been released on that incident, so I finally decided to come over here. Where's little Rin at anyway?"
"Asleep in the back." I said, leaning myself against the wall behind me. …Why do they insist on giving her these kiddy names? Rinoa's not that young, is she? Come to think of it, she's never told me her age…
"Squall Loire?" He said, walking closer to me with a smirk. "You don't know how many lives you've saved with that act you pulled in Timber. With Odine gone, the Criminal Justice Center is lost. You see; that was the last vessel to sail before some nutcase takes over Odine's position. And as far as we all know, no idiot in his right mind would take up that offer."
"…So now I'm some kind of hero?" I had asked with little interest of receiving an answer, and Cid's smirk became a laugh.
He nodded his head, "Plain and simple, yes."
I sighed and pushed myself from off the wall, and left the old men together in the room, "I'm not a killer." I said, walking down the hallway and entering Rinoa's room. Before I shut the door behind myself, I listened to their conversation.
"We don't have any time to waste. Have you loaded your boat with the necessary equipment?" Caraway asked in a huff.
"Listen to me, the only thing that's missing is Rinoa. Edea's outside freezing, she'd like it if we can move quickly. We both would rather have this settled immediately." Cid answered him gruffly, and Caraway chuckled. Judging by Cid's tone, he sounded a bit angry. "I don't find any of this funny, Caraway. If there's something I don't know, you'll spit it out this minute. If there's a catch—"
"No catch Kramer, but why did you bring along Edea?"
"…"
"You told her?"
"…No, she invited herself onboard." Caraway burst out into laughter and Cid sighed, in relief or anxiety, I don't know?
Caraway ceased his laughter and spoke, "This is our deal, and you have my word. I will never come after you again so long as my daughter is transported to safety, am I clear?"
"Very clear indeed, but you do know if anything happens against my will--"
"You'll run."
"What do you mean?"
"…Trust me, I know exactly what's going on." Caraway muttered a few words, but what mostly came to my attention was, "…A rat."
"Squall…" Rinoa whispered from the bed, and I immediately closed the door and walked to her. "What's going on?" She asked as I sat beside her and moved my hand on her back.
"They're getting ready to take you away."
"…Who?--"
"A man named Cid."
"…Cid?" She sat up, almost excitedly and wiped her eyes, "Cid's here?"
"Yes." Why all the sudden excitement? "…Who is he?"
"Cid and my father were close friends before they became colleagues. …But the office work separated them from one another. My dad did anything to be successful, while Cid stuck to the rules… In other words, my father cheated and Cid played fair."
Rinoa looked down into the sheets and sighed, "…Cid always looked out for me since I was a kid…ever since my mom left, he had been so nice to me. He said he'd always be there when I needed him, even though we both knew my dad was already there… But as time passed on, I saw less of him, and eventually, I found out he had become a millionaire and moved to Balamb with his wife, leaving Deling City behind for good. …He and his wife were struggling financially, so my dad helped them out, but he did so with bloodstained money. When Cid found out about the secrets to my dad's success, he was threatened and silenced with money by my father himself..."
So that's why she's surprised to hear about him now, no wonder. He was the only positive role model in her life. Rinoa smiled and looked at me, as I had lost myself in thought. She touched my cheek and whispered, "I heard what you said to my father..."
"…Rin, I—"
"Thank you."
"…Y-You're welcome." She smiled again and removed her hand from my face. Rinoa leaned over and coughed, then tried to move her legs from the bed to stand. I touched her forehead and she looked at me with a smile. "Rinoa, you're burning up."
She moved my hand and sighed, "Quit worrying about me and help me out of here. We'll have to get to Cid anyway."
I smiled and respected her wishes, and then I grabbed her hands to help her from the bed. "Rinoa…how old are you?" I just had to ask out of pure curiosity.
"Twenty."
"Ah…"
"My dad always calls me baby, even though I'm older now and can take care of myself." She laughed softly, "If that's what you mean."
"Yeah…and Cid called you 'little Rin.'"
"Oh that, that name will never get old." She said with a chuckle, which resulted in a cough. She covered her mouth and forced the cough away. After shaking her head with a groan, Rinoa headed to the door, "Let's hurry." I nodded and followed her, knowing full well she was the only one getting on the boat. She can go anywhere without Caraway, it's fine with me, but…if I can't go with her, then I don't really think I can trust Cid either…
"Rinoa!" Cid yelled aloud when he saw us coming from the hallway. Rinoa moved to him quickly and gave him a hug, and Cid squeezed her in his arms, "It's a blessing to see you again, darling. My old soul couldn't take it any longer…but when there was hope of your survival, you best believe I was ready to get you out of there."
Again Rinoa was speechless, seeing the people she loves for the first time in what felt like centuries…no words can explain her excitement, I suppose. Cid broke from the embrace and looked at her, "Now we must leave before you're captured again." He said with a smile, and she nodded to him. Cid turned around to Caraway and closed his eyes with a nod of his own.
Caraway smirked and walked to the door, opening for the two of them, and watched as Cid grabbed Rinoa's hand to lead her out. She looked back at me and smiled, but quickly realized I wasn't following her. The smile had vanished.
"Squall, what are you waiting for?"
There wasn't anything I could say; I was speechless and stupefied. I didn't know what to say to her; good luck, goodbye, take care? It was all so stupid. I had made it all this way with Rinoa…and now, I'm handing her over just like that… I feel so foolish…
"Squall?"
"…" I hadn't answered…I chose to remain quiet. Nothing I said would quench her thirsty curiousness as to why I hadn't moved…
"Cid, let go of me! Please!" She said, trying to yank her hand from Cid's, but the old man kept his grip tight.
He sighed, "I'm sorry Rinoa, but we can't take him with us. I'm only responsible for you."
Rinoa's eyes had widened and she turned to me in disbelief. "But I…—I want you to bring him along! Please!" She turned to Cid again, begging him to understand, but he ignored her. She began to cry weakly and I started to run toward her, wanting to grab her from Kramer's hold and run like the wind…or escape like the breath in my body had upon hearing the distress in her voice. I'll be damned if I let them take her away from me, I can't let this happen… Rinoa, I….
But Caraway stopped me, running away from the door, drawing a gun, and pulling me back by my arm as Rinoa continued, "Dad! How could you!"
"Rinoa, you'll thank me for this someday." Caraway spoke, sounding as unconcerned as ever…pointing the gun toward my neck, but I watched as Rinoa was practically dragged out…
"…I hate you." Rinoa said, and with those words, Cid pulled her out of the house completely. The sight of Rinoa's smoldering eyes caused Caraway to swallow his breath hard; I could see the lump in his throat slowly traveling down his neck.
Pushing away the tingling from my eyes and mouth, I questioned Caraway, "Why?" My question was simple, without any accusation or grimace in my voice…
Caraway lowered the gun muttering; "You'll understand later…I just wanted you to see it for yourself."
"See what?"
"Since you like me so much, I thought I'd give you a bit of a lesson…" He released my arm and turned away from me, "Rinoa's my daughter, she's my responsibility, but I hadn't acted like her father for sometime now. Rinoa worked for me, and not just your everyday chores…she was trained to defend us in times of danger. I treated her like one of these kids you see working for me now. I cheated her out of a life she should've been happy with… You're right, Rinoa took the fall for me…and now, this is my way of giving her back the life I stole. I had wanted to get her out sooner, before she was sentenced. I was about to handle the last bit of business with three gentlemen, but something about them turned me off about our deal. They looked too obvious, untrustworthy… To make a long story short, before I claimed to have accepted their offer…I opened fire on them, myself, showing my henchmen how the job was done. …But I was sloppy, and had left much crucial evidence scattered around. Rinoa went back to clean it up without telling me, and was caught at the scene…my gun in her hands."
He faced me again and smiled, "Now, Rinoa is dead to society…her name hasn't been used for some months now. People have already forgotten about her; fortunately, she can reinvent herself… because Rinoa Caraway was sentenced to death and has already died in the forest. This is my gift to her…"
"Sir, I've given Mr. Kramer the sedatives and penicillin, they're leaving at this minute!" One of Caraway's workers yelled as had run inside with haste. He wore a blue hat, and an orange vest over his white t-shirt with dark blue jeans and white sneakers, which looked like some uniform for the fisherman's cargo boat, the perfect disguise…
"Thank you Watts, but where's Zone?"
"Still keeping a lookout, sir."
"...And Quistis?"
"Seeing Rinoa off."
Caraway sighed and looked to me, "I don't want any dirty scoundrel from those forests traveling with my daughter. Even if you are innocent, I can't trust you enough with her life. My girl's been in too much trouble, and I wanted her to go with someone she can trust…"
But Rinoa trusts me! She trusts me! She told me that much when we jumped from the vessel! "Didn't you hear her just a few moments ago! She said she owed me her life!"
"Consider her debt paid to you. Had it not been for Rinoa, you wouldn't have been saved from that seawater, am I correct?"
I squeezed my hand into a fist and groaned, but before I could do anything, we were interrupted by Zone, running inside quickly. "It's Esthar! They've spotted-ugh!"
"Zone!" Watts and Caraway shouted together, then smoke was released into the house. I covered my nose with the edge of my jacket and ran into the back hallway, aware that someone had followed behind me. A few seconds later, Watts' scream was heard from the living room of the house. When I heard his scream I stopped, but someone, most likely Caraway, pulled the hood of my jacket and dragged me up a spiral staircase at the end of the hallway.
Before I could see much of where we were, I was shoved in a closet and the door closed quickly. I heard Caraway fumbling around the room and opening a chest. I didn't know what he was doing in that room. I wanted to scream, but told myself to stay calm.
Suddenly the door was kicked opened and a man shouted; "There he is, right there! Richard Caraway, you are under arrest for-"
"It's not that easy!" Caraway shouted to the men, and suddenly gunfire broke out. I covered my ears and closed my eyes in the closet. Underneath the gunfire, I heard a few bodies drop and more people rushing upstairs. Still, the crazy bastard continued to shoot.
"Back up! We need-" Another shot fired and all went quiet. My heart raced as I heard his footsteps approaching the closet door. Sure he pushed me in just a few seconds ago, but…he despised me too. He could easily kill me now… I didn't want to open my eyes, I didn't want to move, I didn't want to be there at the second he twisted the doorknob and opened the door. I heard the handle of the gun, a machine gun probably, being released and it fell to the floor.
Caraway muttered huskily, "Karma…and ten times worse too…." He breathed heavily, and I opened my eyes. Caraway reached into his pocket and took out a silver ring. "…Give that to Rinoa. I know you won't let that be the last time you see her…" He smirked as I opened my hand to receive the ring. He dropped it quickly and sighed, "It's her mother's ring…I drove her away…took everything the woman had to offer… It's my fault she left. Tell her, she can have it all back now…" He sighed and leaned against the door. "Squall…get out of here while you're still dead."
Still dead? What does he mean?
"I'll buy you some time, now go…there's a window over there and a fire escape. Hurry up, go!"
"Upstairs!" Men called from downstairs, entering the house again.
I nodded to him and stood to my feet, walking around him as he sat at the closet's door. Before I made my way to the window, I realized the way I was leaving him wasn't good. Who knew what he'd do…? After taking a deep breath, I said to him sternly, "Don't kill yourself, she still needs you."
"…Right." He answered, and I forced myself to get through the window before anyone came after me. Just as I had climbed down the ladder, I heard the door open and men tumbling down as if tackling Caraway. He screamed and I heard no more.
"…Caraway." …I don't know…what just happened in there…
I jumped from the ladder and landed roughly onto the ground. Just as I was ready to run away, I saw Quistis standing, looking at me. I had caught a fright thinking that she was a soldier from the house, but I sighed in relief, "Quistis, thank god." I walked toward her, but she held up a gun, pointing it directly in my face.
"Don't take another step, Mr. Loire."
"…What?" I questioned, holding my hands in the air. "Quistis, what are you doing?"
"Something that should've been done, a long time ago."
…And she pulled the trigger.
-The Remorseful Soul-
And now, your Channel 7 news…
Good Morning Timber, I'm Xu Cassidy, filling in for Dan Wedge who's currently off sick today. Our top story: Yesterday, Richard Caraway was arrested in Fisherman's Horizon. The forty-eight year old businessman was charged with several counts of aggravated assault, manslaughter, arson, and theft--
"Wow…and the list goes on…"
Witnesses say Caraway had resided in Fishermen's Horizon for well over three weeks and had taken care of four suspected criminals, all of whom have been taken into custody. After an intense shootout, Caraway was finally captured and also taken into custody. He was—
"I know who he is…I remember reading one of Squall's notes about him. He doesn't seem like a criminal, but more of a talented businessman." I shut the television off and sat up from the edge of my bed.
Squall… I had a dream about Squall the other night. I dreamt that I pushed him from off a mountain… Not exactly a peaceful dream, is it?
…I think about Squall everyday…wondering what could've happened to him…if… If I hadn't screwed up, he could still be here with me, telling me everything would be all right, couldn't he?
No, that's not true at all. Squall lost interest in me a long time ago. When I confronted him, he said he hadn't meant to push me away so much, but that his work was getting the better of him. Of course, it hurt…it hurt to know that was being replaced, and he that he knew and intentionally replaced me.
So I…
"Irvine…you're so amazing." I ran my hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. He smiled, but something caught my eye. ...God…Squall was standing in the doorway…
I had crushed his heart…and whenever I'm here in my bed, our bed, as he used to say all the time, I can see his face… It was the sameface from that very day, blaming me.
…Irvine told me he saw Squall getting thrown from a car. He waited two days after Squall's sentence was carried out to tell, by that time; it was too late to do anything… I told him to get out of the house, and he left…I haven't seen him since.
"Squall…I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" Tears fell from my eyes almost immediately after I spoke his name aloud. The telephone's ring snapped me from my sadness.
I wiped my eyes and cleared my throat to answer with the happiest voice I could to fool my caller…. Picking up the telephone I managed to speak, "Hello."
There wasn't anyone on the other line…but then I could hear someone breathing. "…T-Thank you Selphie." And with that, the line was terminated. The phone slipped from my hands and hit the floor.
…Oh my…either I'm going crazy or that…that sounded like…no, it couldn't be true, he's…
Squall…?
Rebirth…
Witnesses say Caraway had resided in Fishermen's Horizon for well over three weeks and had taken care of four suspected criminals, all of whom have been taken into custody. After an intense shootout, Caraway was finally captured and was also taken into custody…
The four suspects' names are as follows: Michael Watts, Zonel Roberts, Ward Zabac, and James Norg.
Well, I have to admit that Caraway was right.
…I'm already dead.
Author's Milestone (: Engraves "Stardust Ray Rules" on the rock.:)jk lol
It sucked! -hides face-
Oh no, not another cliffy! I didn't mean to…honestly! I hope things in this chapter weren't…everywhere, you know? Ahh…
But just so you'll know, Fin isn't there now…sadly, it's next… -cries- …and now…the Thanks list.
Oh yeah, Ittan-Momen, now Selphie's yours! I needed to use her again, but now she's free…so… (Unleashes Selphie from her cage-btw-Selphie fans, I'm just kidding, I liked Selphie in the game, but in this story…-sighs-)
So… ( Oh yeah…those names, lol…Zonel, lol…No wonder they called him Zone! Lol Sorry about that! )
Thanks to:
Orestes666: Oh yeah, I really care about Squall…I couldn't do that to him! Ahh, you made the fastest review I have ever seen! Lol. Thanks for your words, I was relieved by them. I really felt like that was my worst chapter ever! I'm so glad it was great!
Tsuki: You know, I didn't think I was an action writer…In my own profile, I said "I'm not much of an action writer, I usually enjoy writing the drama that leads to the action." LoL, but I'm getting better with action and angst…a new awakening for me. So, I don't know, I might write another story after this…might be an angst though. Who knows? Like I told someone before, I tend to struggle with mushy things, lol. (notice how little romance there actually is in this story! lol :p) Thanks for the review! And please, enjoy the read!
Blue: That's right! Squall ate them all! And he stole Rinoa's cookie too! She's been crying ever since! (And you wonder why her eyes were so dark in this chapter! lol) Anyway, I'm sharing my cookies with everyone else, so no worries there. (And don't worry, Rinoa ate her plate of food too, Squall just wasn't around to see it…I think he would've stolen it anyway. lol) Alright, Alright, I'm shutting up, I'll get a rambling award. Seriously, have you ever seen an author to write more in the frickin Author's Commentary than the entire story! lol I need an award for this! lol Thanks again! (but I write all this because I choose to, so Nah!) haha!
Lady-Rinoa: I wish you happiness and the confidence to overcome your troubling times! Take a break from everything, and I mean everything! Give a day to yourself; you'll be glad you did. Oh, and your story is so cute, I'm amazed! Aww… Well, Quistis is…-shuts up- Thanks again!
BlackWind92: Hey, hey, everyone asked about that cliffhanger! I didn't even realize it was bad! (I'm horrible, I know! lol) Truth be told, I wasn't sure if anyone cared enough about Squall and Rinoa, lol, I'm just kidding! But seriously, does this story need another cliff? Lol
doom18769: Thank you! I know it's really different! I wanted something fresh! So…I went to the extremes! One simple project turned into one of the best and craziest stories I've ever written in my entire life. Thanks for your review:D
Yuleen75: Yeah, Caraway's a slick weasel, I tell you! lol But things have caught up with him; I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And I forgot to thank you for the cookies last time. Thanks! lol. Well, Epilogue's next, not to worry, everything else is explained there. And I'm relieved that you're relieved that Rinoa and Squall were relieved and…lol, we're all relieved, now aren't we! Lol Thanks again! More sweets!
Kitsu Kurasei- Thank you for the wonderful review! I know, it's a bit over dramatized sometimes and there's a lot of angst, but overall action took the cup. (I'm afraid there's more angst than romance, too, lol) I really need a beta reader, but the stories almost done, so it's not really worth it anymore. (Sadly, -sighs-) I hope this chapter was worth the time, because it too is tremendously long. I wanted to chop it up, but I said only a couple left. Standing by my word, I've brought this chapter to you all…so now…I've got to work on the last.
-cries- thanks everybody, the journey is almost over.
Thanks to skydreme: my steam has yet to expend!
Special thanks to those who've added this to their favs lists and such, it really means a lot. (not sure if you want your names on here, so I won't add them:p) lol
Anyway, I'm shutting myself up now and getting ready to call it a day. I promise the last chapter will be great and will bring about a since of closure. (or at least, I'd hope it to…) Well…thanks to everyone!
Good, bad, or ugly? Let me know! (lol)
Thanks again!
StardustRay