Act 1
Chapter 2
"Have you been drinking?" Yuna asked sternly as she and Cloud intercepted ways at the market street. He didn't respond, and simply stared off in another direction.
"Did you find anything?" she changed the subject.
"No."
"Maybe he hasn't been here yet?"
"He's here," Cloud murmured. "Just in hiding."
They walked along the street in silence until they came upon the town square. People bustled about here and there, minding their own business. Cloud took no notice of anyone who walked by and just stared forward. That is, until he realized that Yuna had discontinued following him. His eyes searched for her. She was standing by the fountain in the center of the square, her head lowered.
Cloud sighed and approached her. "We don't have time for this, Yuna."
She did not respond. As he drew near he saw that she was praying. Cloud did not know why until he saw a message inscribed onto the stone of the fountain:
In Memory of Those
Who Lost Their Lives
& Loved Ones To
The Rail Road Collapse
"While I was searching for some clues," Yuna finally said after a moment, lifting her head. "I heard that there was an underground rail road here. Six years ago, there was a sudden relief and half of the cave collapsed onto the passengers. No one's used the trail ever since."
"I see."
"...It's sad to think about it."
In his heart, Cloud felt it sad too. But he would never admit it. To show his true feelings would be a weakness, and he did not want that.
"Let's go, Yuna."
They set off to the Inn to rest for the night. When they arrived inside Cloud spotted a pair of familiar faces sitting at a table. They stared back at him. The younger one gasped, "Hey! You're that guy from earlier!"
Cloud ignored him and walked upstairs.
"Uh..."
"Leave him alone," the other said, sounding irritated.
"Hmph."
Yuna watched as Cloud disappeared into his room then approached the strangers.
"Hello there," she greeted. "I'm sorry for his behavior."
"Ah, it's okay," the kid smiled. "I'm Sora by the way, and this is Squall."
"I'm Yuna. It's nice to meet you–is it all right if I sit here?"
"Sure!" Sora said. Squall said nothing.
"So you've met Cloud before?" Yuna asked slowly.
"We met him this afternoon," Sora explained.
"I see... so you're travelers too?"
"Yeah. We're kind of looking for something."
"Really? We are too."
"Quite a coincidence." Sora laughed.
"If I may ask... what are you looking for?"
"Uh..." Sora glanced at Squall as if asking for permission to speak.
After a moment, Squall responded, "We're searching for something important." He shifted his gaze onto Yuna. "And you?"
"I'm assisting Cloud in his search for someone."
"What's in it for you?" Squall continued.
"Nothing... nothing at all."
"Quite gallant of you to help a complete stranger."
"I suppose," Yuna laughed half heartedly. "But it seemed... that choosing to travel with him was not a bad idea."
"Why?" Sora jumped in.
"I get to see lots of things... and meet interesting people like yourself."
Sora blushed, embarrassed. Squall simply stayed quiet.
"So where are you and Cloud headed after this?" Sora asked.
"Oh... I don't know yet honestly," Yuna thought. "It's up to him where we go."
"Really? Well, Squall and I are going to check out the underground rail road nearby tomorrow."
"Why there of all places?"
"It just seems like an interesting place."
"Hmm... yes, it has a rather sad history. Maybe I can persuade Cloud to come along."
"Yeah, you do that. We're leaving tomorrow morning."
"Well then, good night, Sora, Squall."
"Good night, Yuna."
When Yuna crept into Cloud's room, she found that he was still quite awake. He listened to her as she told him of what she talked about with Sora and Squall, but he was not too keen on visiting the rail road.
"This is the only thing we've got," Yuna told him. "It wouldn't hurt to see it."
"Sigh... if the rest of the cave collapses on us then we'll be doomed."
Yuna smiled. "It'll be fine."