Chapter 4 - 10:51 AM, Wutai Standard Time, Day 4

The Night I Can Never Forget

I'm almost there. I can see the outskirts of Wutai. I'm tired though after fighting all those monsters and all my Potions are gone.

An old oak old tree about one-hundred yards from me was all alone in the middle of the plains. A good resting spot, I thought.

I laid my back against the tree and felt the cool shade on my body. It was such a wonderful feeling after standing in the hot sun for such a long time. It's so quiet and peaceful. I feel even more tired. I slowly closed my eyes and drifted away to sleep. But that's when the memories always come back to haunt me, torment, and remind me of the mistake that I made...six months ago.

11:56 PM, Cosmo Standard Time, Six Months Ago

What an enchanted evening! It's almost midnight and I'm not the least bit tired. Riding on the gondola with Cloud, who can ask for anything more? We have been on little 'date', if you want to call it that, here at the Gold Saucer. It's been chilly all night but luckily I have been wearing this jacket that Cloud let me use. My legs were still shaking though because of the skirt I was wearing.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I feel great." I replied. "How about you?"

He was looking out the gondola, staring out into the glittering lights as a crowd of shrieking people roared by in the roller coaster. He turned around and smiled at me.

"Just wonderful."

I'm glad he feels that way. The gondola suddenly came to an abrupt stop and we slowly came out as the next couple rushed in after us.

"Where do you want to go now?" I asked.

"It's getting late, why don't we leave?" he replied.

"Sure."

As we were close to the entrance, Cloud suddenly stopped and turned around.

"I forgot to do something...at the Battle Arena."

"What's that?"

"Don't worry, it will be quick. Why don't you wait at the entrance for me?"

What are you up to? I thought. Oh well, he said it would be quick. I nodded in agreement.

"Hurry up, okay?"

"I know, I know. It won't take long, I promise. There's a bench over there, wait for me there, okay?"

He pointed to a vacant bench by the transport lift. I nodded and sat down as he was walking away back to the Battle Arena. He quickly turned his head and waved goodbye. I did the same in response.

It's getting colder...how long have I been sitting here? I checked my watch; it read 12:32 in luminous green. Cloud said it would be quick, where is he? The Battle Arena is not far from here. I'm getting worried. I decided to get off the bench and look for him.

The Gold Saucer is still bustling with people, even though it's so late. Well, most of the people here are couples or they came alone to play the games. In the Main Lobby, the passages to the other attractions were still open. Suddenly, a voice blared on the intercom.

"Attention, the Gold Saucer will close in fifteen minutes, I repeat; the Gold Saucer will close in fifteen minutes. Please proceed to the transport lift and have all your belongings with you. The Gold Saucer is not responsible for any lost items."

Great, it's almost closing time. I better hurry up. I briskly walked to the Battle Arena.AsIwalked into the lobby I saw a ghastly image. I gasped in horror as I saw four lifeless corpses laying in their own pools of blood...a young couple, both dead on the ground, the man trying to protect his love. The two receptionists were both laying dead in their counters. I slowly walked to one of them and saw...a large gunshot wound to her head. How terrible...who could have done such a thing? Who in their right mind would want to kill innocent bystanders? I slowly walked away from the counter...I hope Cloud is okay...is this why he never came back...? Is he dead?

I began running to the nearest telephone until I felt a forceful tug on my dress. I screamed in horror as I turned around.

"Please help me!"

I gave a sigh of relief; it was only a girl around nine to ten years old, perhaps she knew what happened. She was breathing heavily and in shock.

"Hello there," I said.

"You have to help me!" exclaimed the girl, with tears flowing in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm lost!"

"Are you looking for someone?"

"No, I'm trying to find the station."

"Oh, but can you please help me?"

"Oh yes," replied the girl. "About this, I was hiding the whole time."

Oh my god, a survivor, she must be terrified.

"Where were you hiding?" I asked.

"Under the receptionist's desk so he couldn't see me."

'He'? So it was a man who did this...I was getting anxious.

"Okay, what is your name?"

Still in shock, she said," My name is Anna. Have you seen my mom?"

"Did she come here, Anna?"

Anna shook her head.

"She's waiting in the station, that's what she told me. I only needed to go to the restroom but I got lost."

"I see...your mom is fine."

"Thank god."

"Anna, do you know who did this? Can you give me a description so I can call the police and tell them what happened?"

"Okay, but can you tell me your name?"

"My name is Tifa."

"Okay Tifa, I'll tell you everything I saw. As I was going to the restroom, everything was normal. As soon as I finished, I began walking back to the station, but I forgot the way. I asked the receptionist right there for directions."

She pointed at the dead receptionist on the right side of the room.

"I was about to ask her...until I saw a tall blond man enter the room...he was carrying a shotgun."

NO! It couldn't be him...I body began to ache and shiver. Anna noticed.

"Are you okay, Tifa?"

I nodded.

"Yes, I am fine. Could you tell me Anna...what color were this man's eyes?"

"I remember them being blue," she replied.

A shiver crawled down my spine. My soul began to crumble. I kneeled to the floor and began to sob, my heart filled with anger.

"How can this be! Cloud would never do such a thing! He couldn't! It's just not him! He would never kill innocent people, it's not his nature. No...I won't believe it, I just won't...Cloud isn't a murderer..."

Anna shrieked in fright as I heard footsteps getting louder and louder, entering the lobby.

"Look, someone's coming!"

From the vault room to the right, a man with blond hair and blue eyes emerged...he was armed with a shotgun and he was carrying a sack full of money...Cloud...how could you?

Surprised, he said, "Tifa, what are you doing here? I told you to wait at the station."

I didn't speak, I glared at Cloud, my heart pounding in my throat, and I was shivering all over. Anna was hiding behind me, her face covered in tears.

"Did...you do this Cloud?"

He was looked arrogant when I asked the question.

"You mean this? I needed the money."

"The money? Are you telling me that you killed four people just to steal some money? Why Cloud, WHY? You bastard!"

At that very moment, my emotions overwhelmed me; I felt light-headed and everything around mewas blurry. I collapsed to the ground and fainted. The last sounds I heard were the screams of my name from Anna and a final gunshot...and then a scream...

Entry #10, 11:24 AM WST

She's dead; there was nothing I could do. The next thing I know I had woken up in a clinic in Cosmo Canyon. The doctor diagnosed me with severe trauma. I recovered and went back to Nibelheim one month later. When I walked back into my house, I learned from the townsfolk that Cloud was home too. He escaped...I told nobody about it, the incident at the Gold Saucer shattered me into pieces, how could I have been so foolish? It was best to keep it a secret...but someday...I WILL reveal it to the world. Just you wait Cloud Strife; you will never see it coming. I will get my revenge for what you did; it is only a matter of time.