Author's Notes: The only thing I have to say about this is that it's a new take on Cloud's past.
III
Thud.
I have to keep going.
Cloud picked himself up from the rain induced mud that slicked the grounds of the once town of Midgar and ran, his panicked feet carrying him as far away as they could. Dark creatures scurried after him, afflicting the atmosphere with the essence if hatred and anger, but most of all, suffering.
What am I running from?
He had no idea where they had come from, or why they has come, but that didn't matter to him. Memories of the destruction they had caused, the lives they had taken, the pain they inflicted flooded his mind, clouding his emotions. He slipped again, bringing himself from his thoughts and back to the present.
Now's not the time to dwell on them. Now isn't the time to sulk.
Picking his tired body up again, kept running until fatigue bore it's presense, and he fell once more, but this time, he didn't get up.
"Don't give up."
Light enshrouded him, covering the darkness trying to reside within him.
"You'll find your light."
Snapping out of his memory Cloud looked into the face of a fourteen year old boy with bright blue eyes and unruly brown spikes.
"Now isn't the time to sulk."
Standing up, Cloud thanked the boy, and found a new courage to get up again.