Phone Calls

Chapter 3

Parking the car Valor climbed out and walked over to open the door for Vincent. Instead he just stood and waited as Vincent got out of his car and put his hand out. Valor dropped the keys in Vincent's upturned palm and closed the door. Using the remote he locked the car and walked towards his house. Valor noticed he wasn't moving like he normally did but was also trying to act like nothing was wrong. He was always good at drawing the attention away from himself. Valor followed him into the house and closed the heavy wooden door behind them. The Valentines lived very modestly despite Mr. Valentine's profession. They lived in a two bedroom two story house that contained a library large enough to rival the schools. The library, a bathroom and Vincent's room took up the whole upstairs, the library situated between the latter two rooms. Vincent always had a soft spot for a good book. Mr. Valentines room and the master bathroom was below the stairs and the kitchen took up a small corner towards the rear of the house. The living room wasn't much bigger than Vincent's room but it had a huge ugly green area rug in it that Vincent swore his dad bought just to spite him. Vincent climbed the stairs gingerly and opened the door to his room, motioning for Valor to go in.

"I'll be back in a minute" Vincent said quietly.

"Ok" Valor replied flicking on the overheard light and pulling the chair out from under Vincent's desk. His room was dark even with the light on. His bed had dark blue sheets with a black bedspread, a dark wood night stand with a black lamp, sleek black cordless phone and a silver alarm clock on it. His desk was somewhat organized, minus the homework that was strewn across the top. His room was extremely clean and everything had its place, nothing near what Valor's room looked like. If you walked into his room you would swear a bomb hit it, but he liked it that way. Valor leaned back in the chair propping his arms on his head and waited for Vincent to return.

Parking the van the driver exited the vehicle and followed Sage and Rio into the elevator of the parking garage. Sage leaned against the wall and Rio was currently being held up by the railing on wall of the marble floored elevator. Finally the elevator landed on the Turks floor after what seemed like an eternity. The door opened with a soft chime and the three men exited the elevator heading for the end of the hallway, the driver behind the two Turks. The floor was black and white marble with grey walls. On the walls were pictures of missions past, mainly congratulatory photos. At the end of the hallway a highly polished black door awaited them. Opening the door the men stepped in, the driving closing the door as the two Turks sat down in the chairs in front of the huge oak desk, the back of the leather wingback chair faced them. Two doctors came pushing a cart full of medical supplies and began silently attending to the injured Turks.

"Well how is Mr. Valentine" a soft voice asked.

Spinning his chair around the Commander leaned his arms on the desk. His brown hair combed back and his blue suit pressed neatly. His green eyes were calm and collected as he scanned his injured Turks sitting before him.

"Sir…" Sage started.

"He is good" Rio finished.

Sitting back in his chair he clasped his gloved hands together, tapping his fingers on his knuckles. He watched in silence as the doctors tended to the men.

He was quite impressed with the condition Sage and Rio came back in. It had been a long time since he had seen wounds like these inflicted by just one person. Sage couldn't see out of his right eye, he had a minor concussion, some broken ribs and his hand was broken plus he could barley stand. Rio was far worse for wear; his concussion was worse than the one Sage currently sported his eyes fuzzy and his eye and lips bleeding among the internal injuries he knew existed. Both men could barley stand let alone walk. Taking some potions to heal their internal injuries the Commander spoke again.

"How is Mr. Valentine?"

The driver then stepped forward from his post by the door.

"See for your self sir" he said throwing a small green disk on his desk along with some photos. Taking the disk he loaded it into his computer. The blue screen flickered to life and he watched the fight in its entirety hearing the occasional hissing from Sage and Rio when the doctors would hit a tender spot.

When the video finished the corners of his mouth formed a small smile. Picking up the photos his smile got bigger. Vincent despite some broken ribs and blood running down his face remained very calm, his gun not wavering in the slightest and his shots going exactly where he wanted them. It was almost as if the gun was a permanent piece of his arm, he handled it so well. He was very impressed with Vincent, something that hadn't happened in a long time. The last group hardly qualified then bailed in basic, but he was sure Vincent was a different story. Vincent wanted to be a Turk and from what the Commander saw, it fit him, it's in his blood. He could almost envision the young man standing before him in Turk blues, gun on is hip.

"Well sir" Rio asked sitting up.

The Commanders eyes twinkled with excitement but he did need a few answers first.

"Was that his gun?"

"Yes sir it was" Rio answered.

"Those were all the injuries he sustained?"

"Yes sir" Sage replied.

"He is the son of Grimoire Valentine correct?"

"Yes sir, he also knew we were following him" Sage answered.

"He is as good as I expected, but better than I imagined" the Commander spoke quietly.

"Sir" Sage and Rio questioned together, with confused looks in their eyes.

"Grimoire wanted to be a Turk, but science took his interests. It's funny how his son wants to be a Turk."

Rio and Sage exchanged amused glances. They followed him for four weeks, checked his scores in school, watched him at the shooting range and pretty much everything else he did on a daily basis. He excelled in all his classes and was a very deadly shot; they would be surprised if he didn't make it. The Commander stood as well as Rio and Sage who were finally healed up well enough to get he rest of the day off.

"If you would excuse me gentlemen I have a phone call to make." Waving his hand, the two Turks left the office leaving the driver still at his door.

"Well did you like what you saw sir" the driver asked.

"Yes Monroe, I did. He is going to be a Turk and one of the best we have seen in a long time. He is going to be feared and well respected with in the ranks."

Smiling Monroe, the driver in white stood and waited for the phone call to be made, standing his post by the door.

Valor jumped as the phone in Vincent's room rang scarring the silence. Quickly Vincent came around the corner and entered his room. His t-shirt was replaced with a white tank top. Valor could see the bruising through it. Vincent reached down and picked up the receiver from his nightstand. Valor leaned forward, his elbows on his knees and focusing very intently on his friend.

"Valentines" Vincent answered.

"I would like to speak with Vincent Valentine please"

"Speaking"

"Mr. Valentine I am Commander Snow, head of Turk recruiting and Elite training. I am calling you this afternoon to speak with you about the Turk testing that took place at the Golden Clam today."

"Yea, I'm listening" Vincent replied carefully sitting on his bed.

"Good. I met with Sage and Rio when they returned this afternoon, I am impressed Mr. Valentine."

"So what does this mean"

"Welcome to the Turks Vincent"

"Thank you Sir" Vincent replied, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.

Valor's eyes widened, despite the fact that Vincent didn't show it as of yet he knew he was looking at a future Turk.

"Vincent, there will be a package arriving for you tomorrow. Be looking for it because those are going to be your instructions for graduation. There will also be your training uniform among some other important items. Welcome aboard Mr. Valentine." Commander Snow finished looking at Monroe standing guard and smiling.

"Thank you sir" Vincent answered.

"See you in a couple of weeks" the Commander replied, hanging up the phone and sitting back in his wingback chair.

"This kid is going to be amazing. He won't require a lot of training, he already knows a lot about our organization. According to his marks he could have become a Shinra scientist like his father" Commander Snow said tapping Vincent's folder.

"That means he is a quick study" Monroe replied softly.

"Are you going to train him to be an Elite?"

"He will be the best one we employ."

Both men smiled and Commander Snow went back to reviewing the file of his newest addition.

Vincent hung up the phone let out a ragged breath. Opening the drawer to his nightstand he pulled a small bottle out that Valor instantly recognized as a healing potion. Removing the top Vincent threw his head back swallowing the contents of the bottle then discarding it into the trash can next to his bed.

"Well" Valor questioned impatiently.

"Well what" Vincent answered, looking up into Valor piercing glare.

"Well…was that the phone call?"

"Yes it was" Vincent answered.

Valor dropped his head in disappointment. He officially wanted to cry, his best friend was now lost to him. Still staring at the floor his voice rang out quietly.

"You're going to be a Turk aren't you"

Vincent stood and walked to his window looking down to the people on the street, seeming happy like nothing in the world could upset them.

"Yes" he replied quietly.

Valor stood and walked out of his room, down the stairs and out the front door of his best friends' house for the last time, he had to think. Walking down the street he felt Vincent's eyes upon him. He looked up to Vincent's window with saddened eyes. Vincent still stood in his window, watching with his eerie crimson eyes. Valor turned away and walked towards his house. He had to call Molly and the others, his parents weren't going to be home for awhile yet and he needed someone to come and pick him up so he could get his truck. Stuffing his hands in his jeans he lowered his gaze the road, a quiet tear made its escape down his cheek. He felt like his best friend left him and Valor like he had let him down somehow. He wondered how his dad would feel about learning the new of his son wanting to be a Turk. Valor felt even worse when he thought about Molly and she would talk the news. She really liked Vincent, more as a friend even though he never showed any interest in her. Once her fears were confirmed she would break down, and he wasn't sure he could handle that right now. His phone in his pocket startling him, pulling it out he saw Molly's name on the caller id. Flipping it open he answered it.

"Molly, we need to talk, can you come to my house and get me?"

"Yea, I'm comin' we were all worried about you when you guys didn't come back from lunch."

"Bring the guys with you"

"Ok Val, is everything ok?" Molly asked.

"Fine, just get here quick" Valor replied.

"Be there in 10 minutes" Molly said. Valor hung up his phone and put it back in his pocket, sitting down on his porch steps he watched the road, waiting for the little green sports car to come around the corner.