Flee From Our Troubles

My Little Secret: Exposed

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts ((sniffle))

Author's Ponitless Ramble:
Sorry that this took longer than usual. Science fair and stuff kept me busy. But the other day I had to go to a pool tournament with my mom so I got to sit and type for a good three hours. So, enjoy what complete boredom does to me. The next chapter things will get a little more interesting, promise! Thank you all for helping me get over 100 reviews! I really appreciate it!

Everything was a fast blur. I faintly remember waking up once, and seeing absolute chaos. Lights, sirens, and screaming. So much blood … was that mine? A coughing fit came over me, and a thick, sticky substance came out of my mouth. I raised a hand covered in the liquid to eye level. Blood. I passed out once again and into the darkness I fell.

Incessant beeping woke me from my slumber. I followed the sound in my mind, and found myself slowly waking up. As if in a thick haze I opened my eyes and surveyed my surroundings from where I was.

White walls … machines with wires connecting me to them … the scent of anti-septic … I was in a hospital…!

I sat up quickly, but had to lay back down when a wave of dizziness overtook me, forcing me to fall back down onto the soft white pillows supporting my frail body. Slower this time, I sat up and surveyed my surroundings.

All I can say was that it was … white. White were the walls, the floor, and the shut door ahead of me. White was the machine with wires connecting me to it, and I realized that was where the beeping had come from. There was a window in the corner, and through it I could tell it was the middle of the day. It was bright out; the rain had stopped. Yet there was one thing that stood out from the rest. Lying on a small couch placed in the room was a woman wearing a pink sundress with a pink button up sweater covering her shoulders.

I was beginning to wonder who she was, why she was here, and how long she would be asleep, but I didn't have to as she stirred.

"Nmmh," she moaned as she sat up with half-lidded eyes and slowly looked around. When her eyes landed on me, she immediately sprung up.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked in a quiet voice as she straitened her dress and her hair, which had been previously ruined by her nap.

"Hello, my name is Aerith," she introduced herself, extending a hand towards me, which I took and shook nervously. "I saved you," she said as she took her hand back.

"Th-thanks," I replied, with downcast eyes. "I'll – I'll leave you alone now," I mumbled, starting to peel back the covers of the bed and sliding out.

"Hey! You shouldn't be moving around! Do you know how seriously those thugs beat you? Stay there!" she ordered, and I stopped trying to get up. "Those jerks have been causing trouble around here for years. I heard they were back in town, and I was going over to tell Yuffie to lock down the hotel for the night, and I heard someone screaming for help. I ran over and … and found you …"

"I felt so helpless … Exactly how bad did they beat me?" I asked in a strained voice, not sure if I wanted to hear the answer or not.

"Pretty bad … There was a lot of internal bleeding and they nearly broke your wrists with those handcuffs. I was freaking out when you started to cough up blood when you woke up. Thankfully it's not as bad as it could have been. Unfortunately they didn't catch those brats … but at least you're safe. So, what's your name?" she asked, trying to change the topic.

"M-my name's Sora," I answered quietly. I'm amazed that they didn't kill me.

"There's another thing … they also found out you have this weird sickness … but there's pills for it …"

"What is it?"

"I can't remember what it's called, but if your mind gets overloaded, you'll just kind of pass out …" she told me, trailing off at the end. "But if you take these pills then it won't happen unless it's really bad. I would have gotten them already, but I didn't know you're last name."

'Well, that explains a lot about why I used to blackout so much when I was with him,' I thought to myself as I recalled all of the times where how I could just be thinking I would faint. I never knew why, until now.

I was so caught up in remembering, that I nearly missed the lady's next words to me. "Well, I have to go now, but don't worry, Yuffie said that she would come and visit you soon," she said while as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Get better soon." She smiled and left the room, closing the door behind her. I was left in the complete silence of the room – well, what would have been complete silence if the machine weren't in here – for what seemed an hour. I sighed as I heard a loud shrieking of my name.

"Soooorrraaaa," came a shrill voice, cutting into the silence. The door to my room was opened to show Yuffie being pursued by many doctors and nurses.

"Ma'am, please! The other patients are trying to sleep," one of them said, but realized that it was pointless, seeing as the black haired woman was making a beeline straight for the side of my bed. The doctors closed the door, leaving us a chance to be alone.

"OhmygoshSoraI'msosorry!" she exclaimed all in one breath, as she bounded up to my bedside.

"Yuffie, breathe," I said, as she gave me a quick hug.

"Sorry. But Sora, this is all my fault! I shouldn't have let you go out there by yourself," she replied.

"No, it's not your fault. I wasn't paying attention and … and … I just have really bad luck …" I replied.

"But I broke my promise to Riku …" she muttered.

"No you didn't." I managed a weak smile at her. "You took care of me the best you could."

"Th-thanks," she said, wiping her eyes and looking up. "Well, the least I can do is help you get things figured out. What's your last name, Sora?"

"I – I …" I couldn't remember my last name. Did I even have one? … Yes, I do, but… what was it?

"That Sora Malcite is such a freak." Another whisper. A young brunette was standing around the corner. He could hear every word they said. And the worse part was, he knew that everything they said was true.

"Yeah, I mean, who has hair that sticks up without any help?"

"How do you know he isn't wearing hair gel?"

"Look at him! He can barely afford clothes!" Tears slid down the brunette's cheeks.

"Have you seen his mother? She's such a slut."

"Hey! Stop talkingabout him behind his back!" a fierce voice called. "Sora's my friend!"

"Geeze, we were just joking. You don't have to be so serious all the time," one of the voices replied. The brunette heard footsteps three pairs of footsteps slowly walking away from him, and one set walking towards him.

"Huh? Sora?" the boy exclaimed as he recognized the sobbing heap of brown locks in front of him. "… You heard that didn't you?" He watched as the locks nodded a "yes". "They're jerks, Sora. Don't pay any attention to them," he said, picking the boy up off of the ground and giving him a hug. "It's not how much you have, it's who you are, Sora. Sora? Sora?"

"Sora? Soooraaa?" Yuffie called as she stared at the boy who had a far off look in his eyes.

"Huh? Wha?" the boy mumbled as he shook himself out of memory mode.

"You were spacing out. So what's your last name?"

"I … I think it's Malcite …" I replied, with my eyes downcast. I didn't even know for sure what my last name was.

"Okay! I'll be right back with your medicine!" she exclaimed in her usual happy, bubbly demeanor. She bounced out the room and down the hall as the door slowly swung shut. I was left in the almost-silent-quiet as I sat where I was and thought. And right now I really wanted a knife.

Minutes later, Yuffie came bounding into the room, a small orange bottle in her hands. "Here you go, Sora," she said, bouncing up to the side of my bed. She held it out to me, and I reached out to take it. That was when I realized my mistake.

Her eyes widened as the short sleeved shirt fell back to reveal the scar covered skin. I winced under her gaze as I snatched the pills and quickly pulled my arm back. I did not look up to meet her eyes, suddenly finding my lap the most fascinating thing in the world. We were silent for several minutes before she finally broke the silence.

"Sora … what were those?" she asked in a very calm, quiet voice. I winced for a second time within a few minutes.

"Wh-what do you mean?" I stammered out, hoping she would take the hint and not want to talk about it.

"Don't fuck with me Sora. You know very well what I mean," she hissed, grabbing my arm and pushing back the sleeve. "How the hell did you get all these scars? And don't even think about trying to lie to me. I can tell when someone is."

I was silent for a while before I finally spoke. "Well … to put it shortly … I'm … a slave." We sat in silence again before I spoke once more. "The things he did to me … the horrible things that happened … I'd rather not talk about them. So … are you gonna turn me in?" I asked, finally gaining the courage to look up at her. She just stood there in shocked silence. Slowly she made her way to a chair and sat down, still not saying a word.

"S – Sora …" she managed out. She seemed to be at a lost for words. "Did … Riku know? If he left you and he knew, I oughta knock some sense into him!" she exclaimed.

"No, I didn't tell him," I paused, "you're the first one I've told."

"Sora, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

"Don't be," I replied, trying to make her feel better. She shouldn't have to feel sorry for me. I was worthless. "Are you going to turn me in? I'm sure there's a huge reward by now," I asked again. It was probably true. Ansem took runaway slaves very seriously. If he catches you, he'll break you in mind and spirit. I remember a kid named … Tidus? It was all so long ago. He came back and his eyes were … hollow. And it frightened me. That was enough to keep me from trying to escape. Well, until now, that is.

"Don't be ridiculous," Yuffie retorted. "I would never turn you in, no matter how much the reward is. Friends don't do that to friends," she said.

"And are we … 'friends'?" I asked.

"Of course we are. Now I'll see you later, I have some things I have to do. I'll come visit you later. I suggest you take those pills and then get some rest. Make sure you read the directions on the bottle, first. Bye, Sora!" she said, leaving the room with a weak smile on her face.

"Okay then … bye Yuffie," I said softly as the door shut behind her. I looked down at the bottle in my hands. "Take one pill before you go to sleep. Swallow all," I read aloud to no one in particular. I popped open the orange bottle and took out a pill. I looked around and found a glass of water next to the bed. I placed the pill on my tongue, then swallowed it whole as I chugged the water. I had seen Ansem do this before when he had a headache.

I closed the bottle and placed it on the side table along with the glass of water. Suddenly, I felt weary. That was too much for one day. I sunk lower into the bed, and fell asleep.

Author's Rants:
Hope you enjoyed! Maybe Riku will get a little "talking" to, eh? Well, I have to go study for a French test! Ja ne, and don't forget to review! They really make my day!