BOUGHT FOR SLAVERY
CHAPTER 7
It was 5am in the morning when Cloud awoke. Next to him lay Marlene and Denzel. Denzel had taken his shirt off which lay near the fire place in a heap. Marlene's hair was out of her braid and was in disarray. But both children looked fine and were breathing gently.
Cloud frowned. First things first, he thought. He slowly and quietly got out of the covers and went into the kitchen. He looked outside.
The sun was beginning to rise over a misty forest. The dew was beginning to shine on the leaves and branches of the trees.
Cloud opened the screen door and stood outside just watching the sun rise. For the first time since Aerith died, he had finally felt at peace.
2 hours had passed and Cloud didn't even notice. "Morning Blondie," came a man's voice from behind Cloud. Cloud stayed silent. "Why are you hiding out here?" asked Cloud not looking back.
"For protection," said Reno who had joined Shinra at his side. "I've always admired the woods, and I just wanted to see them again," Shinra said. "Right," said Cloud sarcastically.
After a while Denzel and Marlene had woken up.
Marlene made her way to the bathroom while Denzel tried his best to stand. His head pounded and his vision was blurry, but still he made his way to the kitchen.
"Cloud?" he asked. Cloud spun around at the sound of the young boy's voice. "Cloud, I don't feel so good," said Denzel. Just then, Denzel's body became jelly as he fell into Cloud's awaiting arms.
"Denzel," whispered Cloud. He felt his forehead. It was as hot as a stove. "He's got a high fever and he's sweating bullets," said Cloud.
Shinra wheeled over. "Let's put him to bed upstairs," he said. Cloud carried the ill boy up the stairs. He took off Denzel's damp clothes. All the while he saw the cuts an bruises that Denzel had all over his body. "They'll pay for this Denzel." Cloud narrowed his eyes in anger. "I swear it," he snarled.
Cloud put him in under the covers. "Get me some cold water and a towel," said Cloud.
Reno went out of the room and when he returned, he carried a bowl of water. "We have no medicine in the cabin, so this will have to suffice for now," said Rude.
Cloud put the wet cloth over Denzel's forehead. Soon Marlene joined the scene. "Is he alright?" she whimpered out obviously worried about her friend.
She sat down on the bed next to Denzel. "I think he has ammonia," said Cloud. "Will he survive?" asked Marlene.
Cloud got up and left the room without an answer. He flipped open his cell phone. The number he called was the orphanage.
"Hello?" came a woman's voice on the other line. "It's Cloud," answered Cloud. "Oh Cloud! I'm so worried. Please tell me have you-" asked the woman. "I have Marlene and Denzel. Denzel's sick. I need a doctor," said Cloud. The woman on the other line sighed in relief.
"Where are you?" she asked. "Somewhere safe," retorted Cloud. "I'll meet you at the orphanage in about an hour. Have a doctor there," said Cloud then he hung up.
The old woman hung up the phone. "He'll be here an about an hour. Now please, don't hurt us," said the old woman. In back of her were the 4 SHMS. They all wore black pleather outfits. "Good," said the oldest one.
Sephiroth, Kadaj, Yazoo, and Loz were at the orphanage waiting for Cloud to arrive. "This place is a sanctuary for young ones who have lost their parents. Please leave us alone," said the old woman.
Loz grabbed her by the throat. "Ask nicely," he said. The old woman did nothing but glare at him. Loz tossed her into the banister where she hit her head and laid lifeless on the floor.
The kids who were all huddled together in fright whimpered as they watched the scene unfold. "You son of a bitch!" yelled a girl around 15 years old. She had long blond hair, brown eyes, and stood 5ft even. She stood up; her fists clenched at her side.
Yazoo looked at her with interest. "You better watch your mouth little girl," he said as he approached her. The girl looked up at Yazoo. "If you don't I'll have my brother cut it off," he said as he put his hand on her mouth tightly.
"What do you want with us?" she asked after she tugged out of Yazoo's reach. "You are merely hostages for now," answered Sephiroth. "Soon we'll have no use for you," he said.
"You are pieces of shit," she spat out. The kids behind the girl gasped at her language. "You're scum that walk the Earth. I know about you 4. You robbed that bank, you killed that girl. You 4 are the devil reincarnate," she yelled in rage.
Before she could go on, Kadaj had her pinned between the wall and his blade. "You know, my brother did warn you about that language of yours," said Kadaj.
The girls' eyes went wide when she felt the cold metallic blade actually cut off her mouth. Blood splattered everywhere along with her mouth that lay on the blood soaked floor.
The rest of the kids screamed at the gruesome sight right in front of them. Sephiroth silenced them with his long sword that was right in front of their faces, touching their cheeks.
An hour had passed and not another kid did anything but breathe. It was so quiet they could hear each others breaths.
Cloud was on his motorcycle, heading towards the orphanage. He had changed from the jean look to his regular look when he had saved Denzel.
He had left Marlene with Rufus. Denzel needed her now more than anything.
When he got there, he looked up at the building. Inside, Sephiroth smiled. "He's here. Brothers, get ready to take him down," said Sephiroth. Sephiroth walked over to the kids and teenagers. "Now you squirts had better stay quiet or else you'll end up like that girl," said Sephiroth.
Cloud walked up the stairs to the main door of the orphanage. He knocked on the door, but it just swung open on it's own.
Cloud took out his sword. "Ma'am?" asked Cloud as he entered the building. Instinct took over and he knew something was wrong.
Cloud's eyes scoured the area when he saw 2 female bodies near the banister. He ran to them. "Oh no," he said looking at all the blood.
He was far too late. Both were dead. One it looked like had died from a head injury and the other had literally lost her mouth and had bled to death. "What monster would do this?" asked Cloud.
"Hello, Cloud," said a very familiar voice from in front of Cloud. "There's the answer to my question," said Cloud glaring at the evil that was in front of him. He saw Sephiroth holding a young teenage boy in his arms. "Let him go," said Cloud.
"Oh but he's so cute," said Sephiroth nuzzling the teen's ear, to the teens disgust. Cloud took one step forward, but Sephiroth raised his long sword known as Masamune. "Move and I will kill this kid," he said.