Part 15:
The sun had been up for an hour or so and the first one up was Zell. He sat outside the cabin, sitting on the porch as he wrapped his arms around his legs, feeling a little cold, but bearing with it as he continued observing the birds flying around happily.
cLicK The door opened softly. Zell turned his neck around to see who came to join him.
'…morning.' He greeted Quistis with a cute smile.
'…morning Zell. Have you been up for long?' she asked as she sat down next to him.
'…kinda, yeah…'
'…couldn't sleep, huh?' Quistis smiled, patting his shoulder and sitting down next to him..
'Yeah…I guess.' He continued looking forward as he rubbed his hands together and blew his breath into them in order to warm them up.
'…is there anything bothering you?' she asked as she looked at him inquisitively.
'…naaah!...it's nothin' really…just some silly thoughts…' he smiled at her sheepisly, covering up for what his true feelings were.
'…it's usually those silly thoughts that bring us the most hurt, you know?' Quistis now kept her eyes on the forest as if she really meant what she had said.
'…wouldn't be surprised…' he murmured dreamily.
'…you bet…' she went on.
'…I'm an expert at those…' he said.
'Really?…then tell me...what's on your mind?' she asked.
'…' he remained silent as he looked in her eyes thoughtfully.
Zell opened his mouth to start talking, but lost his courage and turned his face away again.
'…cat got your tongue?' Quistis chuckled.
'…bah…forget it…it's stupid anyways..' he flapped his hand in a "never mind" sort of way.
'…c'mon…there's nothing to be ashamed of…I've heard all types of thoughts, you are just another one of them…now shoot…c'mon!' she smiled comfortingly.
Zell looked at her worriedly, smiled back, and turned his face back to the forest.
'…Quistis…don't laugh, but…if…I mean…if...umm…well…errr…'he started.
'…let me guess…it's about girls…am I right?' Quistis smiled.
'…whoa…' Zell jerked as he gave her a surprised look.
'…hey, don't worry…it's normal…you're a guy, just like others…you have the right…' Quistis tried to help him feel more at ease.
'…yeah…I know, but it's kind of hard to explain…' he couldn't find the words to what he felt.
'…I liked this girl, she was really hot, funny and…she seemed to dig me as well…but the other day…the other day I caught her hanging on this bloke…asshole…(he banged his fist in his other hand)…I went like crazy…and I was down, really down…'till I realised she wasn't for me…I had better things to worry about...but…'
Zell looked down bleakly.
'…but…still, I feel strange…'
'…well, I think it's normal, after all you liked her and she let you down, right? And for what you said , she seemed to like you too, but even though she didn't take that into consideration...I mean it really depends on how much that person really meant to us…but to me she really doesn't seem to deserve you, does she?' Quistis replied with a friendly and confident smile.
'…I know, but it's strange…I feel put aside…I mean, not exactly put aside but…maybe a bit weird, damn! I can't find the words…!' Zell clapped his forehead in frustration.
'…you mean lonely…don't you?' Quistis looked at him understandingly, now with the smile fading off her face.
'…yeah…I guess it's that…' Zell dropped his head on his knees.
'…I know what it's like…' Quistis started curling her hair with her finger as she looked far away.
'it's like…everyone around me has someone…everyone is happy…you know?...everyone except… for me…' Zell explained now as he managed to speak out what truly hurt him…
'…I know, I know…it's stupid…but you asked…and that's the truth…I can't help it…' Zell mumbled as he gave a quick glance at Quistis's face and then in shame turned his face away quickly, holding his head with both his hand…
'…just don' tell on me now ok…?' he murmured softly now digging his face in his arms.
'…'course I won't…but Zell, it's not stupid. Really, if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that what you feel isn't stupid, to the contrary…you have all the right in the world to feel like this. Besides, I know what it's like. I've been there myself. Still am, if you ask me…I just learned to handle with it…it's been a long time, you know?'
'…whoa…Quisty I had no idea you also…really?…I thought I was being...whoa...' Zell turned his neck to face her, in surprise. He was so glad he wasn't the only one that felt that way. He was feeling down all this time because he thought he was becoming a nut. After all there was someone who shared exactly the same fears and pains as him.
'…well, I'm just glad you got that off your chest. It's not healthy to walk around with so much doubt and pain. It's good to share what you're feeling, you know? I would have done anything to have someone to talk to myself…'
'…thanks, Quisty, hey? Thanks for hearing me out…I don't think I've ever talked so openly to anyone before, thanks. Really…' Zell showed his gratitude by taking her hand with both of his hands, looking at her in gratitude with cute grin on his face.
'…my pleasure. I'm glad I could be of help to you. I hope you're feeling better now.' She smiled.
'…much better. Thanks.' Zell smiled at her again, shook her hand slightly and embraced his knees once again.
'…so when are we starting the journey?' Zell asked now changing the subject.
'…I guess when everyone's up and ready…talking about ready, where's Squall and Rinoa? Their beds are empty…Squall's bed is done or untouched…I can't really tell…' Quistis chuckled.
'…well, last night Irvine and I couldn't find him anywhere…so we assumed he had probably came this way…and Rinoa…well I haven't seen her yet. Her bed was empty when I woke up; I thought maybe she had gone out with him…you know…taking time to lovey-dovey together and all that stuff…'Zell chuckled as his spoke threw his red nose.
'…oh, my…Zell…I can't believe this…!'
'What wrong!' Zell looked at her in wonder.
'…Zell, Squall has been missing since last night…and Rinoa…she most probably went looking for him…great!...now they're probably both lost…damn it!' Quistis clapped her hand on her face in desperation…
'…how? But…'
'…no buts, Zell…we have to do something…! Quick!' Quistis started freaking out.
'…c'mon…go wake the others…! I'm going to look for them…WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? C'mon!' Quistis yelled nervously at Zell as she saw him just staring at her…
'…Right! Yes Ma'am!' Zell flew out of her sight into the cabin.
Quistis stood there for one second, cursing herself and looking in all directions, not knowing in which to start searching…
She decided to start looking in the forest area near the base cabin, that's probably where he decided to run off.
Quistis knew something was going on, it must have been because of the fight with Seifer last night. At least she thought so.
She ran as quick as she could, trying to reach the other cabin. She knew she would be taking the risk of getting lost herself, but she had to do something. Squall probably made his way out of Win Hill by now, but Rinoa in such anxiety could have got lost.
Finally she reached the cabin.
'…Seifer…' she thought. She needed some maps, she didn't want to get lost as well, she couldn't. Seifer was in there, she thought. But she needed the maps. She would have to face him sooner or later…
Quistis walked on the plataform, went up the small steps, took a set of keys out of her pocket and opened the door, walking in slowly, trying her best not to make a sound.
The moment she stepped in she looked around. The cabin was empty, Seifer was no longer there. Her eyes then caught up with the open window.
'Oh, no!' she thought.
Quistis was happy Seifer wasn't there, but she knew what it meant. Seifer had probably ran away too, or even worse, probably had followed Squall to fight him…
'This is awful…If anyone of them gets hurt…damn!' she murmured softly.
Quistis then after a few moments of glaring at the tiny open window, mouth openened, she came to her senses and started searching for the map.
Finally when she opened all the draws next to all the monitors, she had found one, taking it out quickly, closing the draw and running out as fast as she could.
'Urgh…!...' a moan roared from near by.
Quistis stopped abruptly to listen carefully…
CLUMP! she heard a loud thump as if a tree had been knocked down…
'Urgh…!...' someone's moaning sounded afterwards. Quistis approached the place from where the noise came from. A loud screech roared, echoing throughout the whole forest. It sounded like some horrible creature, similar to a T-Rex, but squeakier and louder.
Quistis was getting the creeps now. She had no idea what was happing, but she came closer anyway…
'Urgh…!' a painful moan sounded for the third time.
Quistis then made a her quick way towards the trees.
The most unexpected sight: Seifer was tied up to a tree…
'…Seif…' Quistis's mouth dropped down in shock. She strained her eyes to get a better look, then approached him slowly.
Suddenly a huge creature twice the size of Seifer had appeared from behind the tree. It looked like a stumpy white horse, with a huge horn on its head, purple shocking laser eyes and long hair on its head. It looked like some kind of ugly Unicorn.
'…Awe!' Seifer yelled as the Unicorn bumped him with its horn viciously.
'…' Quistis was now even more shocked. She didn't hesitate: she ran up to the ugly creature, drew her Chain-Whip, hit it on the floor to grab its attention.
As soon as the creature had taken its vicious sight off the badly hurt Seifer, Quistis had whipped the Unicorn very hard, making it screech of pain as it made its feeble way towards Quistis, wanting to attack her too.
'…oh no, you don't…' she mumbled softly to herself, now jumping backwards as the creature tried to attack her with its horn.
It only took one harder whip and the fat Unicorn had been beaten…
'…' Quistis now walked slowly towards Seifer. He was completely stripped. Only had his half torn away boxers, which now looked like a pair of slips and his suede knee-high boots…
He was badly hurt, his skin was all badly cut, with a huge wound on his left side, probably from the Unicorn's horn attack. His face was very sweaty, bloody and bruised.
His bruised eyes were half closed, he seemed to just stare forward as he winced now then, when the wind blew stronger.
'…Se-Seifer?' Quistis touched his shoulder as she tilted her head to look at him properly.
Seifer jerked the moment he was touched by her warm hand.
'…Can you hear me?...Seif…'
'…urgh…d-don't touch me…' he murmured as he widened his eyes to look at her.
His look was cold, but it was different to the other looks he had ever given her. This time, his look seemed tired, scared and above all sad.
'…Seifer, what happened to you…?' Quistis looked at him worriedly, ignoring what he had just said.
'…leave me alone…' he mumbled.
'…what happened!...' Quistis insisted with him.
'…I said don't touch me!...' he yelled now as loud as he could, taking a huge breath after wards.
'…will you stop that!...I'm trying to help you!' Quistis started to loose her pacience.
'…go away, I don't need you…' he mumbled now dropping his head down tiredly and closed his eyes.
'…but Seifer, you're not well…you are hurt and you are tied to tree!' Quistis tried to reason with him.
'…it's your fault…you did this…!' he yelled furiously, still with his head down.
'…what!...how can you say that?...I'm here because I'm looking for Squall and Rinoa…they're gone…I didn't even touch you…' Quistis felt insulted by his accusations.
'…are you happy now?...have you laughed enough?' he groaned, breathing asthmatically.
'…listen Seifer, I didn't do anything to you…or you tell me what's going on or I'll leave you here to die…' Quistis grabbed Seifer's naked shoulders and shook him as she spoke furiously.
'…I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE ME ALONE...!GO AWAY!...I DON'T NEED YOU!' Seifer yelled angrily at her, having no strength afterwards and passing out a few moments later…
'…oh no…Seifer?...talk to me!...damn it! Seifer?...wake up!' Quistis held his face with both hands, slapping his face to wake him up…She then put her finger near his nose…
He wasn't breathing. He had lost his breath.
'…Shit…! Seif…don't do this to me…c'mon…' Quistis started massaging his chest, trying to make him breath. There was no response. Quistis then without hesitating, leaned her body against his, pulled his mouth open and blew as hard as she could…
Seifer wasn't responding…
Quistis tried massaging his chest again, but he wouldn't react…
'…Seifer, no!...please…wake up…' Quistis started panicking and her eyes were already flooding with tears as she held his head in both of her hands worried sick about him…
'…no, you're not dying on me…' she murmered wiping her tears away as she clipped a knife off her belt and cut the rope that held Seifer so tightly to the tree trunk…
As soon as the rope had sprung off Seifer's body, he suddenly woke in a loud choke gasping loudly for air as his body tilted over and as he fell over…
Quistis still tried to hold him up, but he was so heavy that he just fell right on top of her, both of them falling to the grassy ground in a loud clump…
Seifer went on coughing and choking while he just laid on top of her with his head hanging on her shoulder…
'QUISTIS! I'M COMING! GET YOUR HANDS OFF HER YOU OAF!' Zell's voice roared loudly as she heard his feet thump on the floor quickly in their direction…
'What do you think you're doing!' Zell pulled Seifer off Quistis by his arm and threw him down brutally next to her…
'Quisty, talk to me…are you ok? Did he hurt you?...talk to me…'Zell kneeled down next to her…
'…yeah, yeah…I'm fine…' Quistis replied putting her arm over her face…
'Zell got up in a jump then, stepped over Quistis and kneeled next to Seifer who was still coughing…
'…what did you do to her, huh?..,' Zell took Seifer by his arms and punched him in the stomach…
'…I SWEAR…YOU ARE DEAD, DUDE!' Zell got up and kicked Seifer in his stomach again, making Seifer curl up on the ground and wince, not having the strength to defend himself…
'ZELL!...Leave him!...Stop it! Stop it!...Zell…!' Quistis grabbed Zell by his waist, trying to keep him from hurting Seifer any worse…
'…what are you doing, Quisty?... He tried to hurt you!...' Zell was pulled away, but resisted, grabbing her by her hand and looking at her in shock…
'…he didn't try anything, Zell!...he was unconscious, he toppled over me!...don't just beat him up like that for nothing!…God!...' Quistis gasped as she kneeled next to Seifer and pulled his arm off his tired face…
'…Geez, I'm sorry…I never knew…I thought he attacked you…'Zell clapped his hand on his forehead, turned around in shame and walked up to the tree where Seifer had been tied up and leaned against it…
'…its Ok…it's not your fault, Zell…I'm sorry…I'm just tired…just glad his alive…' Quistis chuckled slightly in relief…
'It's ok, don't mention it…' Zell smiled forcefully.
'…Seifer are you feeling alright?' Quistis asked him softly, touching his face gently as a worried expression grew on her face.
Seifer's eyes were closed when she removed his arm off his face, but the moment she spoke to him his eyes opened slowly…
He remained silent, staring at all the features of her face, then straight into her eyes for a long time, closing them afterwards very slowly…
'Seifer?...' Quistis unconsciously caressed his bruised face…
'Ahem… I thought we were going to look for Squall and Rinoa…' Zell said a little irritated.
'…yeah…you're right. Just help me with Seifer, he is very weak. I don't think he can walk…' Quistis got up and put her arms under Seifers's arms, pulling his torso up.
'c'mon!...he's heavy…'
'Yeah, whatever…' Zell grabbed Seifer's arm, lifting him up.
The both of them put Seifer's arms over their shoulders and dragged him towards the cabin, where they rested him on the bed.
Ok, I hope you liked this chappie. Thank you so much for reading and please review if you can. Thanks, really. Give me suggestions, I promise to take them into consideration.
Thanks Fred007 and Angelo … and MafGoldenHeart for your wonderful comments!