Stories are so great, aren't they? Creating them is such a privilege, such a wonderful experience, and yet half the time I know I'm not in control. Ideas and inspirations pop into my head with no definite origin, and I remember God is in charge of any good work. Sometimes, things happen in my stories that I didn't plan on, things I don't want to happen, things I fight for weeks before finally giving up and accepting it. This chapter is one of those things. I worry I didn't write it perfectly, but I always worry about that, and it's probably good enough.
Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter Eight

The imperial capital, Archades
Year 704 of the Old Valendian Calendar

The next morning, Reina woke early. She had barely slept the night before, despite being exhausted from her late-night escapade. There was just too much in her head. As the sun peeked over the horizon, tinting the many houses of Archades with golden hues, Reina rushed about making breakfast as usual. She was dreading that "talk" Serah had promised. What would she say? Reina thought of a thousand excuses, but nothing good enough. If she told Serah what was really going on, Reina certainly wouldn't be a part of it anymore. Who knew what Serah would do?
Reina set breakfast on the table, too nervous to touch hers. Why wouldn't Serah just wake up and get it over with?
As if summoned by Reina's thoughts, Serah's door swung open. She strode out in her high heels, dressed in a grey Draklor uniform just like Reina's. She plopped down in the chair opposite her sister. Silence reigned.
"So…" Serah said finally. "Where were you last night and what were you doing?"
Reina sucked in a deep breath, desperately hoping her fear didn't show. "Nothing. Everything's fine, okay?"
"Reina…" Serah's face darkened in a way that Reina knew wasn't good. This strategy wasn't working.
"You really think I'd do something stupid?" Reina asked.
"Oh, you would," Serah replied. "I know you're quite capable of that."
Reina scowled. "I'm not going to get myself killed, okay? You think I'd go and do something reckless, now? While I'm waiting for Ffamran to come home? I need to be in one piece when he gets back."
"If he gets back," Serah said.
Reina's eyes widened. "Serah! What do you mean? He's coming back!"
Serah let out a sigh. "You don't know that, Reina. This is war. It isn't pretty. There's every chance that even Ffamran will get killed. I don't want you putting all your hope on something that isn't a given. What are you going to do if he doesn't come back?"
Reina stood up abruptly, shocked. "What? Serah! He's Ffamran. He'll be fine! He'll come home! He wouldn't let anything stop him! How could you say that?"
"Reina…" Serah worry erupted in Serah's green gaze. That was all Reina could take.
"I'm going to Draklor," Reina said, turning towards the door. "I want to get an early start today."
"Reina!" Serah called after her, but Reina didn't stop. She stormed out the door, walking down the familiar paths that led to Draklor Laboratories. Serah's words echoed like bells in Reina's ears.
What if he doesn't come back?
The answer to that question was simple; Reina wouldn't survive. She needed Ffamran. She needed him back. Everything she did, even as she snooped around, trying to uncover Dr. Cid's plot, she did with the certainty that her fiancé would come home. He had to come back, he had to survive. Otherwise, Reina wouldn't be able to carry on. It was as simple as that.

Serah arrived at Draklor shortly after Reina did, but Reina kept her distance from her. It wasn't so much that she was still mad as that it would feel weird talking to her after they fought. So Reina did her best to focus on her work and not think about Serah or Ffamran. What Serah had said was true; it was possible that Ffamran would be killed. Reina just didn't want to think about that. She didn't want to think about anything at that moment. However, one thought kept a persistent hold on her mind: what was Dr. Cid up to, and how could she find out? Reina wasn't giving up on that. She would find out, somehow. But she couldn't right then, so Reina focused on her testing and experimenting and everyday work at Draklor. That is, until a voice interrupted her.
"Reina! Might I have a word with you, dear?"
That was Dr. Cid's voice. Reina nearly jumped, and she hurriedly put down her tools.
"Oh! Dr. Cid! Good morning!" She really hoped she didn't sound nervous or frightened. Dr. Cid looked his usual self, so that was good. Hopefully.
"I heard some unusual noises last night," Dr. Cid continued. "I think we may have mice. What do you think, Reina?" His voice was way too suspicious when he said that. Last night? That was when Reina broke in. She got the distinct feeling this was bad.
"Mice?" Reina said, trying not to seem uncomfortable. "Well, I suppose some of the test rats could have escaped."
Dr. Cid nodded. "Ah, yes, that's very possible. However, I'd hate it if they started making a mess of things, understand?" Dr. Cid made sharp eye contact with Reina, and she tried her hardest not to squirm. "Assuming they leave things alone, I'm willing to let these mice run around for now. I trust you see my point, Reina?"
Reina'd delt with a lot that morning and the night before. This was really all she could take.
"Well, mice can't help being mice as long as there're rats around," Reina shot back.
Dr. Cid's gaze hardened. "I see. I'll be setting traps, then."
And with that, he walked off. Reina got the sickly feeling those words had been a mistake. A really, big, mistake.

Reina sat with Serah at lunch. Things didn't feel nearly so tense, but maybe that was because Reina now had bigger things to worry about that an argument with her sister. She had no idea what Dr. Cid meant by "setting traps," other than she should be careful. Really careful. Reina considered telling Serah her situation several times, and each time she chickened out. What would Serah say? Would she get mad again? Reina could tell this was a bad time to get on Serah's nerves.
"What's the matter?" Serah asked, halfway through the lunch break. "You haven't touched your food."
"Oh, I'm just not hungry," Reina said quickly. It was true. She felt anything but hungry. Her stomach was filled with twisting worry.
Serah shook her head. "Well, just don't complain about being hungry later."
Reina didn't reply. She scanned the lunch hall for Dr. Cid but didn't see him anywhere. Was he in another meeting with Vayne and Venat? Or somewhere else? Reina wanted to find out, but she knew she was in treacherous waters now so far as that went. Dr. Cid knew she was the one who spied on him the night before. What he would do, she could only guess.
The intercom system wired through the walls, used to call certain scientists to different labs, buzzed to life. Reina was surprised; it was never used during lunch break.
"Reina Florss to Dr. Cid's office," the voice buzzed. Reina felt her heart skip a beat. That was so not good.
Serah cocked her head, staring at Reina. "What'd you do, sis?" she asked in a teasing voice, not sounding concerned at all. Of course, she had no idea how serious this was.
"I-I don't know," Reina managed to say. Her heart was racing, her thoughts too flurried to think of a solution. Serah looked momentarily worried, but Reina ignored her, stood up and headed out of the lunch hall. Once she stood in the hallway, Reina tried to come up with a plan. Should she go to Dr. Cid's office? See what he had to say? He'd probably give an ultimatum or something similar. Would it give her a chance to find out something more? She could try and run away, but where too? If she hid, it would remove all doubt Dr. Cid had about her working against him.
So Reina decided to go to his office. She just couldn't think of anything else to do.

Reina pushed through the doors into Dr. Cid's office, her legs shaking. She was terrified. She knew she'd gotten in way over her head, and now she had no idea what to do. No idea at all.
Inside the office, no one was there. The lights were on, but Reina was surprised to find the room empty save for a desk covered with papers and a few bookshelves. Dr. Cid's office was an interior room with no windows.
Reina entered to room, her fear growing with every step. Why wasn't Dr. Cid there? Surely he wanted to question her? Why else would he want her here? In this specific room, where no one else was watching…
A horrifying realization dawned on Reina. Dr. Cid wouldn't go that far to get her out of the way, would he? He wouldn't have four years ago, that was for sure. Too scared to do anything else, Reina shut the door, locking it tight. Now she was alone, and no one could get in. Dr. Cid probably had a key, but Reina didn't think he'd come and kill her personally, himself. Still, that wouldn't hold out guards for long…
Reina's terror subsided, and she just felt drained. This was her fault, for being so stupid. She should have left well enough alone, she should have told Serah, she should have at least been more careful. If she'd have just held her tongue that morning, none of this would be happening. It was all her fault…
Ffamran. Reina had failed him. She couldn't form any thoughts after that. After a few moments of floundering, Reina pulled a pen and a blank piece of paper off the desk and started to write, quickly because she knew there couldn't be much time left.
Ffamran
I know you'll never read this. It's pointless, but I feel a little better, knowing there's a chance. We never got to say goodbye, so I'm saying now. I just want you to know, this was all my fault. I was stupid and got myself killed. There was nothing you could do, and that's okay. Goodbye. I love you, and you know that, but please move on. Live life and leave me behind. Please.
Before Reina could write anymore, a loud pounding on the door stopped her.
"Open up!" a rough voice called. Probably a guard. It really was over.
"Just break the door down!" Reina shouted back. She wasn't turning in that easily. Reina quickly folded up the hurriedly written note and dropped it under the desk, hoping that, somehow, Ffamran would read it someday. She knew that was too much to hope.
A clicking sound came as the lock sprang, and the door swung open. Reina turned, facing Dr. Cid as he walked in. Two guards stood behind him.
"Hello, Reina," he said, looking grave. "You know I can't let you go."
The two guards advanced through the door, each grabbing one of Reina's arms. She didn't fight; she knew she couldn't win.
"Why are you doing this?" Reina shouted at Dr. Cid. If she had to die, she at least wanted to know why.
"Why? Because you, my dear, are standing in my way," Dr. Cid replied. "I will forge a new world, one where no one dies needlessly, where no one is passed over. And I will pay any price to reach it. If I must dispose of you, then so be it. I will not let any oppose me."
Reina shook her head, fighting back tears. "This isn't you! You were a kind old man! You let me and Serah work here, even when we weren't old enough! You were never like this! What happened?"
"I have a goal," Dr. Cid said, his remorseless gaze meeting hers. "And I will accomplish it. If you try and stop me, you will be dealt with. It is as simple as that."
"What about Ffamran?" Reina asked, finally losing the battle with her tears. Dr. Cid's gaze hardened.
"I will pay any price."
Reina couldn't speak anymore. It really was over.
"Take her away," Dr. Cid said to the guards, waving his hand dismissively. "You know what to do."
The two guards obeyed, dragging Reina out the doorway. She hung her head, tears dripping off her face.
I'm sorry, Ffamran. This is my fault. I hope… you can deal with this. It's up to you, now.

…

Dr. Cid sat in his chair in his office, staring at the small note he held. It was dark in the room save for the small lamp on the desk. He wasn't really sure what to think after what he'd read in that short, hurriedly written note.
"What is that?" This was Venat's voice, speaking as he materialized. The sight and sound of his presence was a very familiar thing to Cid; it had been for four years since they met.
"A goodbye, of sorts," he replied, not taking his eyes off the note. "From little Reina."
"I see," Venat said, his voice rattling. "A meaningless sentiment."
"Yes," Dr. Cid said after a moment. Of course it was. Meaningless.
"One more step has been taken," Venat said. "After your actions today, I have no doubts that you will follow through on our plans. Indeed, Cid, you have proved your loyalty to our cause."
Cid nodded slowly. Venat was right. He always was.
"Yes, Venat. I will pay any price for our new world."
He sucked in a breath, then tossed the little note into the refuse bin. Nothing would stand in his way. Nothing.