Storm Clouds

Chapter 19: Shedding a New Coat

Don't touch me with that god damn stethoscope. The doctor placed the round plate firmly on his bare breast. Cloud jumped from its sudden chill.

"Sorry." He answered, knowing that the patients always jump from the bitter cold of the metal. He listened to Cloud's heart for a good while before nodding, checking off a list which he only memorized in his head. "Everything looks good." He said while plucking the metal off Cloud's skin. "It's a good thing your friend brought you in unless you wouldn't be standing there."

"Really." Cloud scoffed under his breath. The doctor looked down at his check board and scribbled something down.

"I suggest to lay off the drugs. Those things can only spiral you down to a worse road then before." He looked up but Cloud didn't show any signs of care. "Withdrawal is hard but it's only a phase. I'll talk to your friend about helping you cope with it." And then he left.

Cloud's feet dangled high above the smooth ground. He could hear the bustling of the hospital outside the door. Probably where the doctor is talking with Reno about taking him off the drugs. It's only a matter of time before he would come in, eyes red and sore, and dragging Cloud out of the hospital.

Until then Cloud's mind raced of thoughts without an end, questions without an answer.

He knows, he knows! What are you going to do now Gabriel, you stupid fuck? I thought running into a hole would be the best place for no one to know but now it seems like everything is crumbling down. Rayne must be worried of me! Strike that. Reality Cloud! He's probably dead drunk somewhere and not alone. I can't go back. Reno knows now. He wouldn't let me. But I can't be with him. Now that he knows! A long sigh escaped his lips only allowing a moment of peace without stress weighing down.

I must get out of here. I have to leave this place now, before Reno comes in. As if by command, Cloud hopped down from his seat and grabbed his tattered black jacket which was meant to compliment with his attire. After scanning the hallway left and right he fled the room and building without carrying any suspicion of doubtful eyes. The nurse shifting papers at the front desk didn't give him a moment of notice as he passed her swiftly and quietly as a whisper. Once the automatic doors opened themselves for Cloud, he was free.

As first act of freedom Cloud pulled out a cigarette from his back pocket and lit it. I have to get to Rayne's now. He took his next step not caring who stood behind him and watched him take his first three steps. Cloud froze when he heard the man's laugher.

"You never change do you?" Reno barely could make out the words. Cloud slowly turned with bewildered eyes, gazing at his beautiful but insane love. The cigarette now dangled helplessly from his cold lips. "Sorry, but—'' Laughter interrupted his speech. He gained his composure soon enough to talk.

"It's just that, every time you're offered a helping hand you bite back. Wha—what are you afraid of!" Cloud notice the venom growing intensely in his words. "I stick my neck out for you! Wear my heart on my sleeve and all you do is use it as target practice!" Cloud was too far to see his green eyes gloss over in his frustration and heartbreak, but he could hear it in his voice.

"Are you going to say something? UH!"

"What can I say—''

"I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN SAY! Say you're sorry! Say you're sorry and that you love me because…because I know it's true. I know it as well as I know your face—your eyes." Reno tried to reel back his anger and tears only to make him shake and twitch. "Why," His words trailed off slowly to almost a whisper for only Cloud to hear. "Why won't you hold on to me?"

Cloud didn't answer him right away. With a heavy heart he had to watch his firecracker, his winged warrior, dissolve to a dead carcass standing on St. Patrick Hospital's sidewalk. Reno leaned greatly on the unrefined stone column before Cloud spoke.

"Because the one you love died long ago." The cigarette had long fell from his lips. With downcast eyes he confessed his weight to Reno. "I may still stand but what you see is a hollow doll. Not only that but a doll that has been passed around by God knows how many others. How can you continue? How can you continue loving something like that, which is beaten down so many times until it's the ground itself you walk upon? I do love you Reno. More then myself, but I'm not worthy of you."

Reno watched Cloud look up with mournful eyes, sore and red from grief. The hospital stayed quiet. The city of Guinness didn't utter a word. All of the peace the world contained was reserved for her two most broken angels.

"You'll come back to me, right?" Reno whimpered. Cloud tried to smile but his tears forbid it. Without a polite goodbye he turned tail and left evolving into the darkness.

The end is coming! Get ready for probably the last chapter…I don't know. PLEASE REVIEW at once!