Sometimes I think about getting out of here—quitting the Turks, packing my things and leaving for somewhere where no one knows my name. A new life, some might say. There are so many things here that make me so tired, that keep my constantly frustrated. This place has bad memories for me, and I choose to live with them creeping in my shadow.

As we went back into the slums, into my memories, Tseng said I looked so lost, like I'd turned back into a child wondering the streets. I couldn't help it. As much as I can keep a straight, steely face, my eyes gave away everything when I came back to Sector 7. Tseng tried to sound understanding as he said it.

'You don't know me…you don't even care.' I thought as I eyed the old street corner we used to sit on so long ago. 'I need a new town; I need to leave this all behind.'

It was when I met the eyes of a little redheaded boy on the corner that I had it decided: I had to get the fuck out of here; I had to get the fuck away from these ghosts, and these unwanted memories.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the boy, though. He leaned against a wall, a solemn expression on his face, but with a curious look in his eyes, almost asking for me to save him. I know what that feels like. I remember, back when I was still naïve and innocent, I sometimes dreamed of someone coming to find me, take me home, and love me. I soon learned to abandon dreams, to distrust the world, and to do whatever it takes to get ahead. I wanted to save the little boy, to keep him naïve, to shelter him.

I didn't want him to grow up to be like me, using booze to hide my bitterness toward the life that created me. I wanted him to keep his wonder. I wanted to go up to him and tell him that he could make it. That he shouldn't ever give up hope. I wanted to tell him to run, to get the hell out of this godforsaken place.

As I set the bomb that was to bring down the Sector 7 plate, I thought of that boy. I thought of what he could have been, if I had only saved him from myself.

a/n: I have such a soft spot for this...I have no idea where it came from--it started off that it was going to be about Reno wanting to run away with Cloud, and it turned into this angsty little beauty. For some reason, I love it. It's probably the most personal yet, and I really hope that it turned out well.

Bait for 24? Well...at the moment there is no 24. This took too much out of me. Any suggestions?