Chapter 7: Nightmares
It was dark. Not a hint of a light in sight. I've been here before, but nothing seemed familiar. If my eyes were open or closed, I couldn't tell. There was a subtle drip drip drip of water falling from nearby and every movement of my feet sloshed around in ankle deep water. The air had no smell to it, but the moisture and chill in the air was enough for me to know that I was underground.
"Hello?" My voice echoed through the dark cavern, soft and frightened, "Is anybody there?"
Silence. Eerie quiet, aside from the splash of water around me. I reached behind me to keep my hand ready to pull my sword from my back, only to find that my blade did not exist. I was unarmed and alone, in the dark, with no idea where I was or how to get out. Taking a deep, calming breath, I walked forward. If I could find a wall, maybe I could follow it to a way out. The walk felt like hours and I found no wall to guide myself with. Lost and unarmed in the dark was not my ideal position.
"Hello?!" I called out once more, my voice slightly desperate for a reply. "Please! Is anybody there?!"
There was a shuffle above me. Dirt and pebbles splashing into the water. The only sign I had that I was no longer alone, and the growl that accompanied it told me I was not in good company. A shiver went down my spine as I recalled the sound of that growl before. Quick images flashed across my mind as I recalled the Nightmare in the caves, and my blood ran cold as it shuffled above me. I could almost sense the smile on its face as it approached. Without a second thought, I ran.
No weapon. No light. Not alone. I had no other option but to run. Even being a SOLDIER, you have to know when a battle is a lost cause. Water splashed up my legs with each step. The entity kept pace above me, claws scraping on rock, and growling almost like it was laughing as it hunted. My heart pounded in my chest. It was getting closer.
Just keep running. Don't stop. I repeated over and over in my head, my lungs burned too much to voice even a whisper. Keep running!
There was no end to this cavern! I ran for, what felt like miles, twisting and turning to try and shake off my tail, and hopefully find an exit. I could almost feel the claws scrape the back of my neck. A loud splash in front of me forced me to skid to a halt. It was right there, in the darkness. My harsh breathing shook my body. A blunt force took out my ankles and sent me crashing to the ground in a heap. Before I could recover, I felt the claws on my chest. They walked their way up to lightly scratch my neck and chin. The creature sat on my chest, its weight no heavier than a dog, but its aura felt much more deadly.
"You should have run faster." It hissed in my ear.
There was a flash of light, revealing a mouth full of razor sharp teeth inches from my face. The jaw unhinging like a snake, and in an instant, it swallowed me.
I woke with a long gasp for breath. Cold sweat dripped from my chin to the damp neckline of my tank top. My body trembled with each gasping breath I made. It's been two weeks since I was let out of the infirmary, and every night since I came home I've had that same nightmare. I haven't slept in my room for the last few days, there was an eerie feeling in there now, so I took to sleeping on the couch. I swung my legs over the edge with an audible "umph". Every bone in my spine cracked with the movement to stand up. My heart still pounded in my throat after I had calmed my breathing. Zack's muffled snores sounded from his room down the hall, I was slightly comforted by the fact that I hadn't woken him with my gasping. He's been extra worried about me, even going so far as to "supervise" my recovery training, much to Sephiroth's displeasure. I just wanted things to go back to the normal type of crazy and pretend like what happened in the cave never existed. Even though I didn't remember much of it, and nobody would tell me the details of it. Something that I found oddly suspicious.
Pushing damp strands of hair behind my ear, I sighed and walked to the door. "I need some air." I mumbled to nobody and stepped out into the cold air.
The nightlife of Midgar was an entirely different entity from the day. The streets were quiet and empty, save for Loveless Ave which was always busy with something. When the bars closed down though, the streets got quieter with the incoherent mumbles of the drunk patrons. I'm not surprised that that's where I found myself.
The fountain was my favorite place to relax, no matter what. It was wide and open and all I could hear while standing next to it was the rushing of water moving through the pumps. I laid on the edge and watched the water flow down. I could have fallen asleep right there.
"Senna?"
Startled, I sat up and looked toward the voice. "Cloud! You scared me."
"Sorry." He chuckled in reply, "What are you doing out here?"
"Just…" I laid back down on the fountain edge, "trying to relax. Why are you out so late? Noctis need a buddy to walk him home from the bar?"
"You didn't hear?" Cloud's shoulders slumped as he stopped his approach to the fountain.
I sat up again, motioning for Cloud to come sit next to me. "Hear what?"
"Noctis was put on a mandatory leave and house arrest." He said sadly as he sat down.
"What?!" I yelled, catching the attention of some passing residents. I lowered my voice. "What happened?"
"I wasn't there for it, but the day after you both got back he went after Alexander. He beat him bloody and kept yelling that it was his fault you were injured. It took four security officers to pull him off." Cloud hung his head as he told the story, "He was supposed to have the night rounds for a few weeks so the rest of us in the security department split it up between us to cover him."
"That's really nice of you guys to do. Wish I could have been there to see the ugly pup get what's been coming to him for a long time." I leaned back and chuckled a bit.
"Have you been feeling alright?" He asked.
I hesitated before I answered. All things considered, I felt fine. Physically I was ready to get back to training and missions again, mentally…
Ever since I woke up in the infirmary something felt very off. It was like I had an extra weight being carried around on my chest, and that something was always peering over my shoulder. Also that same haunting nightmare that came to me every time I closed my eyes. Cloud sensed my hesitation as he studied my face. I hoped he didn't see the internal struggle I was fighting with, but nonetheless I smiled at him.
"I've been feeling good. I go back to normal training tomorrow and I've been cleared for regular missions again." The one bit of good news I got all week. All I wanted was for things to go back to normal again. Cloud smiled back at me, not making any indication that he knew I was struggling with something. "What about you? The initiation for SOLDIER starts soon right?"
"Yeah. It does." There was a shift in Cloud's eyes. Another wave of sadness washed over him as his shoulders slumped. "Noctis is gonna miss it."
I put my hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "He'll always have the next time. You on the other hand are gonna do great."
"You think?"
"I know. I can tell you're strong, Cloud. You just have to believe it too. Come on, say it out loud!" I got up and stood in front of Cloud, pulling him up as well.
"Um.. what?" He asked.
"Say you're strong. That you can beat any obstacles that get in your way. Go on, say it!"
Cloud awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his feet. Honestly it was adorable how shy he was sometimes. I playfully pushed his chest.
"Come on, you can do it!"
"Uh...mm.."
His jaw tensed, like he wanted to shout to the rooftops, but there was something holding him back. With a laugh, I climbed on top of the fountain edge and cupped my hands around my mouth.
"Listen up everyone! This is Cloud and he's gonna be the greatest SOLDIER to ever live!" I shouted, getting the attention of the small groups roaming around Loveless Ave.
"Senna!" Cloud pulled me down from the fountain, his face red from embarrassment. All I could do was laugh. After a moment, Cloud laughed right along with me.
"Strife!"
Cloud seized and stood rigid as another officer rounded the corner. His helmet stayed strapped to his head, but the scowl across his face was clear as day. My only guess was this officer was Cloud's superior.
"Does it look like break time to you?" The man scolded from a few feet away. I never understood the public spectacle the security department makes when disciplining their officers.
"Looks like you gotta book it." I chuckled, clearly not intimidated by the officer standing just a few feet away.
"Looks that way." Cloud had a slight shake in his voice as he hurriedly grabbed his helmet. Before he took off to approach his superior, he quietly said to me, "Do you need help getting home?"
I laughed and tucked my hair behind my ear, "I think I can manage on my own. Thank you though."
"You have my number if you change your mind." He smiled at me, seeming to forget that he was about to get his head chewed off by his commanding officer.
"Goodnight, Cloud." I smiled softly.
"Goodnight, Senna."
"STRIFE!"
I waved at him as he took off running to take his punishment. His superior didn't talk loud enough for me to hear exactly what he was saying but I could make out a sentence "flirt on your off time, not while on duty." To avoid getting him into more trouble, I made my way home, taking the longer route around them.
Apologies for the late updates! I've been finding myself really busy anymore since lockdown lifted, and I've been working on other fanfics. Don't worry though! I haven't forgotten about Senna and her story. I've been wanting to finish her up for 10 years and move onto the sequel that I already have written haha! This should be the last filler chapter for now and we'll move onto bigger and better things! Thank you guys so much for sticking this out with me and giving me the encouragement that I need to continue writing this story. Words cannot express how much I appreciate all of you!