Chapter XII: Unspeakable Bonds
"This just in, a horrible murder has taken place..."
Seifer sat up and stared anxiously at the television screen.
"Local resident and war hero, Irvine Kinneas, was found dead in his apartment late this evening," the anchor continued. "He was shot once in the back of the head. Authorities are investigating the incident, but evidence suggests that his death may be connected to a local prostitution ring…"
Seifer leapt to his feet, a feeling of euphoria enveloping him. Zell would never have to suffer Irvine's wrath again. He was free from his chains… Maybe there was still hope for them after all.
Seifer rushed to the closet. He grabbed his coat and fumbled with the buttons. It seemed he couldn't get it on fast enough. Finally, he gave up and raced out the door.
Zell stared solemnly as he looked at the train in front of him. He was free. Never again would he have to sell himself like meat to strangers. Never again would he fear for his safety against Irvine and his cronies. Never again would he feel the warm embrace of Seifer's arms…
Freedom always came with a price. It was a simple fact. Zell always knew it, but nevertheless, it was a heartbreaking realization. He could escape the bonds of prostitution, but Seifer would always hold a piece of his heart, as did Squall. Zell heaved a sad sigh, thinking of the two men that he would always love that he would never be with again.
All he had left was fifty gil, the clothes on his back, the train ticket, and his memories. He could get a job, a new identity, a home, but he could never replace his memories. The happy days, the sad days, and these last few days with Seifer. It was strange to say, but Zell had been happier in these previous days with Seifer than he had been in a long time. He was someone who cared, who held him, who made love to him. If fate would have been kind, things would have been different.
"So much for my happy ending," Zell said quietly as he approached the train.
Seifer ran all the way to Zell's apartment, never stopping to catch his breath. By the time he arrived at the rundown building, he was surprised to find police cars swarming the residence. A stretcher was being carried out the front door, a lumpy shape under a white sheet stained with red. A sick feeling building in his gut, Seifer approached an officer and inquired as to what was going on.
"Man found shot in his apartment," the cop said nonchalantly. "Young guy, early twenties."
"Do you know who he is?" Nausea was beginning to overwhelm Seifer's senses.
"We have to notify his family first."
"Please," Seifer begged. "Tell me, is it Zell Dincht?"
"I'm sorry, sir," the officer said sympathetically. "I am not at liberty to discuss that at the moment."
"For the love of Hyne, I am the only family Zell has. Please, tell me, is it him."
The officer looked at Seifer. He could see the desperation in the man's eyes. Finally, he said quietly:
"Yes, it's him."
If a human being could shatter like glass, Seifer would have done so at that very moment. The horror of those words weighed down on him. He was being crushed and no one was there to rescue him.
"Oh Hyne, no, oh Hyne…"
Seifer ran from the scene into an alley and vomited violently. All he could do was curl himself into a ball and sob uncontrollably.
Zell was gone. It was only hours ago that they had been together. If only Zell had told him what was going on, he could have saved him. It didn't have to end this way.
He needed to talk to someone. In his hysterical state, there was only one person he could think of...
Fujin looked up from her book when she heard a sharp knock at her door. She closed the book with a soft thud and rose from her chair. She strode over the door, and opened it. To her surprise, a disheveled and very distraught Seifer greeted her.
"SEIFER?"