-Aerith-

The room where we stayed in was three-storeys high. If it were only Cloud he would've easily leapt from the roof and landed on the ground, unscathed. When we jumped and gravity pulled on us, his body fell flat into the mud. I tried to loosen my grip on him to help him stand up, but he slowly grabbed at the nearest possible grass for support as he muttered, "Don't let go, Aerith. Whatever you do, don't let go."

Panting and bloody, he stood up and returned his strong yet steady grip on my legs. Moving forward, he half-walked half-ran, stumbled, and ran again until he saw a truck that was speeding towards us.

The truck swerved when it saw us coming towards it and I recognized a familiar face behind the wheel waving at us to hop in. With his remaining strength, Cloud jumped from the mud-spattered ground and into the back of the moving truck. I clenched my teeth as I was thrown aside, for the sting from my wounds grew in intensity. But, I didn't even think about my pain. I knelt from where I landed and quickly crawled towards a window that showed the outside world.

"I want to see him. I want to see if he's ok!"

Before I could even take a glimpse of Mr. Henrick and the inn, Cloud grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. He slowly buried my face in his shoulder, his free hand holding the small of my back, locking me in his embrace.

I froze, my breath caught at the moment. "C-Cloud…?"

Then, I felt his warm breath on my neck, in my hair. He, too, buried his face in my shoulder. I could feel him shudder. With cold? With fear? I couldn't tell…

"Don't look back," he whispered so softly that I obeyed him. "Close your eyes, Aerith."

What he saw at the last moment, I didn't know. The rain had drowned all the noise and shouting. All I could hear was our rhythmic breathing. Only that, nothing more.

-Fred-

It had been four hours since we left that small town, Serene Hills. You couldn't call it that no more after what happened last night. I never thought everything would end up that way. Ol' Henrick told me to pick up these two young'ins when I drive by North Corel. Never thought Aerith's friend was a troublemaker. He was a delinquent, I reckon, when I first saw him. Never trusted his eyes. They were bloodshot, as if he had killed thousands in his lifetime.

I turned back to check up on the two young'ins through a small window that connected the driver's seat to the back of the truck. The brown-haired girl was sleeping, her head cushioned by the pillow I always bring with me during the long rides, while…

The blonde was still up, eh? Heh, he hadn't slept a wink since we drove from Serene Hills. He's always watching over Aerith with those eyes. It's creeping the geezers out of me! Then, suddenly, as if he felt my eyes goring at him, he turned his solemn face towards my direction.

"T-Thank yo—

"Save it, kid," I immediately said. There was no need for words of gratitude. I was only payin' a debt. "If it weren't for Aerith healin' my little Bessy, I wouldn't have saved your sorry ass."

He was silent.

"To tell you the truth, I don't like you. You're bad news, kid." Seconds after I said that, my truck shook! "What the hell!"

I quickly stepped on the brakes and stared right through the window that was blurred by the pouring rain. What was that? An earthquake? I breathed hard as I listened to my surroundings. Lightning, thunder, and… a growling noise? Shit, this is bad! I knew this area was infamous for monster assaults but not once had I been attacked. Had I miscalculated? Despite the cold, sweat was running down my neck. I looked for my gun—doggone it, where did I put that bloody thing? Right! The back! I turned to the blonde. Surprisingly, he had felt danger for he was staring straight at me with his blazing blue eyes.

"The gun, kid! Find it and give it to me!"

After the blonde found it, I straightened my cap and opened the door. When I stepped my foot outside, I was suddenly thrown to the ground by…! I looked up and a huge phantom overshadowed me. This is…

Before I could think, before I could even blink, the monster clawed, pummelled, and bit althroughout my body! The salty rain brought even more pain when it seeped into my wounds. The creature threw my body away a few meters from my truck like I'm just some ragdoll. I tried to sit up but the effort made me cough my lungs out. What did come out, was blood. Heh, I'm dying…

"FRED!"

My name was ringing in my ears. I couldn't move, I couldn't speak. I was facing death… Memories suddenly rushed through my eyes like I was watching a movie. From my childhood, my first kiss, my wife, my children… a blonde man. Wait, that ain't no memory of mine! The kid took my gun and was shooting the monster with it!

"Mr. Fred, let me heal your wounds," an angelic voice surfaced from the rumbling thunder. I squinted my eyes and Aerith came into view. She helped me walk to the safety of an age-old tree and started to cure my bruises and heavy cuts.

Even though her concentration was on me, her eyes were on the blonde who was fighting the monster. The rain grew even worse as they fought. I couldn't see much but I could tell the boy was having a hard time taking the creature down. The monster had leathery skin that was so difficult to penetrate. I knew that! I memorized every monster that wanders the area. Wait… it's a Stone Lizard! Eyes widening, I screamed to the top of my lungs!

"Kid! Aim for its throat! That's its weak spot!"

The blonde stared at me when I shouted, giving the monster an opportunity to lunge at him! They both fell down, the slimy monster on top of the blonde. We were frozen momentarily as we watch the monster's throat move as if it were swallowing something.

"CLOUD!" Aerith shouted as she attempted to run towards the blonde, but I took her arm, stopping her from doing something stupid. She dropped to her knees and wept.

"Is he dead? He tried to save me… Me, an old man!" I shook my head. "Foolish little wannabe hero."

"I'm not dead… not yet. I have something only I can do. I can't die… yet."

I looked up and I saw him appear from the monster's belly. The clouds began to disappear and the sun's rays enveloped his body that was filled with blood and wounds.

"Cloud…" Aerith muttered unbelievingly as she looked at him with glowing eyes. Does she…? With a bloody grin, he collapsed to the ground. She gasped and flew to him. "Cloud!"

Oh, he's still breathing alright, the wannabe hero. Now, he didn't seem to be a delinquent to me. I stood from where I sat, watching them from a distance. With Aerith standing by his side, I think it's gonna be all right.

Heh, he still has a long way to go. Could he take it?

Was that an intense chapter, my beloved readers? I'm trying different approaches so suggestions are very much welcome~ Saa, on to the next chapter! You'll love this one! Many interesting twists and foolishness awaits you~