(A/N) Here ya' go! Cloud's point of view on what Zack just experienced! It has indeed been revised, but there may still be missing words. I dunno, I'll give it a run through tomorrow. But anyway, enjoy it! Oh! And thanks to everyone who's stayed with it and especially those who reviewed!
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VII, if I did, the movie would've had 60 more Zack in it.
--
I wasn't sure if I could be more confused. Why did we have to leave so quickly? I hardly knew these people, but I felt safer here than I did outside. But Zack did look distressed about something. He looked really serious about it. It was as if it were a life or death situation. He certainly surprised me and I swear I saw Mr. Valentine jump. And what was Zack staring at? Me? Or Mr. Valentine? I just tilted my head and looked back at him.
"Is there really a rush?" Mr. Valentine asked.
Yes! He's on his way here! I'm sure of it! I should've known better. The bar is too obvious." Zack said frantically. He sure was worked up about something.
"What's going on?" Tifa asked as she came downstairs. I felt so at ease when she spoke, she had such a warming presence. I could feel a smile bubbling up from the butterflies in my stomach. She was almost motherly.
"He says… they have to go or he'll find them." Mr. Valentine said casually.
"What?! You found him?!" She said in a harsher tone. "Think about this for a moment. If you leave right away…"
Who's this he everyone's talking about? Were we hiding from someone? Scratch what I said before. I was getting more and more confused by the second.
"If you leave during the day, he'll be able to track you down easier." Mr. Valentine sighed.
"Does that really matter?! Do you know who we're talking about?! Day or night, it doesn't matter, he'll find us! Actually, to be more accurate, he'll find him." Zack blurted out. He raised a hand to his head and held there, it looked like he was gonna smack himself across the face.
"So you confirmed it? He's after Cloud?" Tifa asked. She sounded angry but saddened by something.
… Wait?! Did she just say someone, this him everyone was talking about was after… me?
"Tifa!" I heard Mr. Valentine scold. But after that I couldn't be sure if anything else was said. I was too wrapped up in my own thoughts.
This couldn't be true. What had I done? As far as I knew, I didn't do anything to make anybody angry. It felt like I had been smacked across the face. The strength of the blow was so hard that I fell to my knees. This was impossible. I didn't have any enemies. I always thought years of hiding in the back would ensure that. Of course there were some creeps who tried some funny business every now and then, but I was always saved by something or someone. But I never made any enemies.
"Cloud, are you okay?" Tifa asked. But right now her voice wasn't very comforting, nothing was.
"Mm…" I mumbled. I couldn't form any solid words. I was just trying with all my might to hold back the tears that were trying to break their way through. But I refused to let them come. This wasn't something to cry about. I was trying so hard not to cry that my face probably got a little pink, just thinking of that made me embarrassed. I could now feel the burning feeling as my face went red. Now it really wasn't helping when I felt all of their eyes on me. I felt myself begin to tremble uncontrollably.
Why was Zack just standing there? He looked torn, but he wasn't doing anything. No matter how much I wanted to make me feel secure, he just stood there.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt chilled metal on my arm. I looked up to see if Zack had moved, but he was still in front of me looking shocked and confused. But there were still a pair of strong arms wrapped around me. My eyes felt sore from holding back tears and not blinking for so long. Who was holding me?
"What?!" I heard Zack shout. He was obviously shocked. That must mean something he believed to be impossible just happened. So that could only mean that Mr. Valentine was holding me. I could only guess that because Mr. Valentine did not seem like the type to hug or hold a person. He was nurturing, but not sentimental. I probably would have found it a sweet gesture, but the golden claws resting on my chest were making me nervous. I couldn't even stop myself from shaking when he started rubbing my shoulder.
"Mr. Valentine…?" I mumbled in that stupid meek voice of mine. That did nothing but make Zack stare at me again. I didn't feel comfortable when he did that. It made me feel so self conscious. I could tell I was shrinking back into the embrace. There was something about Zack that irritated me. Mostly it was my own reaction to him. I couldn't stop it. I wanted him to act a bit more than a friend, but I also wanted him to stay away from me. It was all so confusing. I hardly knew him, but I felt as though he belonged at my side. It was the weirdest emotion I'd ever experienced. I wasn't sure if I liked this emotion or not. So I've come to the conclusion that he scares me.
"Zack…" I looked up at Mr. Valentine as he spoke. He closed his eyes momentarily when my hair brushed up against his chin. "I think you should give him some time to calm down."
"Do you really think that's such a good idea? If he finds us… um… ba da la la…"
I raised a brow in confusion. He cut off his sentence, but I wanted to know what would happen… or maybe I didn't. Either way it made me smile. Um ba da la la?! That was funny…
"Zack." Tifa said suddenly. "You should think this through a bit more."
And just like that, the fear was back. Think about what? When and how fast to run like hell?! I couldn't handle knowing that someone was out to get me. I just couldn't do it. I wanted to run away. If it weren't for Mr. Valentine holding onto me and if I weren't petrified of his claws, I probably would have.
"Uh… I guess it wouldn't hurt to rest a while longer. I haven't regained my full strength yet."
What?!
"You should leave tomorrow night." Tifa said enthusiastically.
"No. Not that late." Mr. Valentine sighed. "But it should be safe by tomorrow."
"I dunno you guys." Zack said scratching the back of his head.
Wait! What was everyone talking about?! I couldn't follow. Damn it! If only I weren't thinking about how much of a coward I was. I probably would've heard what everyone was talking about!
"Have you considered where you're going to go?" Mr. Valentine asked. I had to guess it was directed toward Zack because no one was talking to me. If I didn't notice Zack glancing at me every two seconds, I would assume they forgot about me. Glancing and… staring.
Zack responded with a bemused sounding "Yeah."
"Tifa?" I looked up to see the little girl standing next to Tifa. "Denzel can't find his toy rocket. Can we go look for it?"
This conversation didn't concern me. I just really wanted to know why Zack wasn't taking me back to the barracks. If he didn't get me back soon, explaining everything wouldn't matter! He'd have to come up with some story to tell them. Oh! I hope he's not going to just turn me over to the general! He wouldn't do that, would he? I bit my lip nervously just thinking about it.
He wouldn't do that. He was my friend, and if he wasn't then he sure was acting like one. And friends don't sell each other out. Plus he was going out of his way to protect me from this he everyone was talking about. That was friendly. Oh great! Do I want him as a friend or do I want him to stay away from me?! Was I afraid of him after all? You know what, no. I'm sticking with my earlier conclusion. I'm afraid.
"… Take Cloud with you."
What?! I looked up again to stare at Tifa. What was I being volunteered for exactly? Mr. Valentine tensed up as she spoke too. He and Zack were staring at her now. I felt like I was being betrayed when Zack took on an expression of thought. Was he insane?! Someone was after me! Sending me away like this was like giving me up! Please say no! Please tell her that's a bad idea! Please!
"Vincent, does Cloud have a phone?" He asked.
What's wrong with you?! I wouldn't take my eyes off him. I was hoping he'd get the message and change his mind. I could just go out!
"Ah!" I couldn't control myself and let a gasp escape when Mr. Valentine jammed his hand into my pocket. I wasn't expecting him to violate my personal space like this.
"He's got one." Mr. Valentine said pulling my phone out of my pocket. He sounded like he was dialing a few numbers and then he put the phone back into my pocket.
"Okay." Zack nodded. "Go on Cloud. Look after the kids for us."
"But if there's trouble, you call us. Okay, sweetie?" Tifa added quite bluntly. I shuffled past them keeping my eyes to the floor. I couldn't believe it. No one thought of how potentially dangerous and stupid it was to be sending me out like this. It was ridiculous.
"Don't go too far!" Zack called as I walked out the door with the kids.
--
Once outside, the kids took off down an alley. I couldn't get over how irresponsible they all were being. Here I was, outside and unprotected. I was being so cautious every time we rounded a corner; the kids kept looking back at me funny. I had to admit, I was acting a bit paranoid. But I felt as though I could be paranoid. Someone was probably out to kill me!
"Cloud? Are you okay?" I heard one of them ask. I looked over at them in a slight daze. They both looked concerned. So I'd have to bury my concerns, I didn't want to worry them.
I half smiled and looked away trying to hide my depression. If this man did show up, I'll simply grow a backbone and demand that he spare the kids. Yeah. That's exactly how it'll go! … Who am I kidding?
We went down more allies and I couldn't help but notice that we were getting a little too far away from… the bar…? Was it a bar? It had to be. It looked like one. Well, if it wasn't I was calling it one anyway.
"I think I left it here." The boy said coming to a stop.
I looked around at where we were. This is where they play? It was a dark back alley. Perfect place to get kidnapped I'll give them that. Especially in this city. The people here looked more desperate than the people of the slums. I take that back, that really wasn't fair. I shouldn't judge them like that considering where I come from.
There were rumors of dark things going on in Nibelheim. Very dark things. Incest mostly. But I did hear something about a man involved in the sex trade or something living there when I was around eight. I was always told to avoid him. It scared me whenever he came by and talked with my mother. She'd always kick him out screaming at him about something. She'd even threaten him the few times he showed up with money. Then one day he forced himself into the house and came at me for some reason. My mother hit him over the head with a frying pan, threw him out, and I never saw him again. It was probably a good thing. She always held onto me so tightly after that and apologized for no real reason. She'd always say something about considering an offer because she needed the money. I never really gave it much thought. I was never even sure if the rumors were true, but the evidence…
"Have you found anything?" The little girl asked. I shook my head without turning around to face them. I hadn't even been looking.
"I haven't." I said morosely. I hadn't found the answers to a lot of my questions either. But I'd have to focus on that later. "Did you build it?"
"Yeah, but what does that matter?" Denzel asked looking up from a trash bin.
"Well… if you built it, it'll probably have a distinct smell… it's kinda like rotten eggs." I said letting my voice relax with my body. "Unless you didn't build it like that. But if you're a pyro, like most your age, you probably did build it like that."
Both of them averted their eyes from me. I couldn't do anything but wear an expression of confusion. They looked remorseful about something. I suspected that only meant one thing, they were doing something they weren't supposed to. That was the only answer I could come up with. But it probably wasn't anything too bad. They weren't the type; well at least they didn't give that impression.
"Cloud…" Denzel said sullenly. "Don't tell Tifa. She doesn't know we were playing with chemicals like that."
"Didn't she teach you that?" I asked tilting my head.
"No…" He said hesitantly. "… You did."
"What?!" How could I…? When did I…? … H-how?! I couldn't have! I'd never met these kids in my life.
"Cloud…" The little girl whispered.
I barely heard her. I was staring at Denzel willing the answers to spill out of him. He knew more than I did. He knew something. I wanted him to tell me. I wanted to know. Neither of us broke the stare. His eyes never left mine. It was as if he could see I was processing something.
"Cloud!"
That time I heard the shrill scream. I noticed too late the shadow now looming over me from behind. Wheeling around on my heels I nearly busted my nose on the hulking figure behind me. I stayed there stunned for a short moment. When I came out of it, I kept my vision locked on the man's shoes and fidgeted with my fingers. He was tall. I could tell that from the size of his feet. And by the look of his calf muscles, he was strong.
"Cloud, run!" Both of the kids yelled.
I didn't move. I couldn't move. I was frozen. This is exactly why I joined the army. I had no backbone when it came to guys like this. But even now, I hadn't had enough training to actually go out in the field. I'd never been out in the field before. I was supposed to be getting practice assignment today. But that was just guarding against brainless monsters! And even then I was gonna be monitored by a security guard. But this guy…?! He knew how to intimidate and he did it well. He made a show of his build by wearing tight fitting leather. I felt as though one hit from this guy would give me a few broken bones.
I was just in utter shock of his being. That is, until I felt his gloved hand lifting my chin up. I felt like I was in danger once I felt his touch. This feeling only intensified when I saw his face. His lips twisting into a smirk, his eyes were the worst part. They were like a serpent's with a black slit cutting through the pale blue-yellow iris.
I felt myself blink a few times before I pulled away from him and backed away to join the kids. It was like I could see his intentions and his motives just by looking in his eyes. Just below the surface was malice and not much else.
There wasn't much time for me to think of anything else to do. I took the cell phone from my pocket and ran madly through the numbers. Selecting the first one without a name over it, I put the phone to my ear and pushed the kids to get them to bolt with me. I looked over my shoulder to see what the situation was. And regretted looking as soon as I did. Whoever he was, he sure didn't waste any time in starting the pursuit. He was right on top of us. He probably wasn't going as fast as he could. Jack ass! I hated being toyed with like this. If he was gonna catch us, why didn't he just do it?!
I simply rolled my eyes and focused my attention back to the ringing phone. It had rung three times already, what was taking them so long to pick up?!
I was losing faith in who ever it was and very quickly! It was the fourth tone now and my heart was going mad. It may have been my paranoia acting up, but I swear I could feel his breath on the back of my neck!
By the fifth tone someone finally answered.
"Hello?" I asked in a frustrated tone.
/"Cloud, we're all here. What's the problem?"/ I heard Tifa answer.
"There's a silver haired man here."I said vaguely. I didn't really have the stamina to talk and run at the same time… or the lung capacity.
/"He didn't hurt you, did he?!"/ Zack asked frantically. Of course he'd ask that.
"No. He tried to grab the children, but they got away." I lied. "… Now he's chasing us."
/"What does he look like?"/ Mr. Valentine asked.
Aw, they were gonna make me talk weren't they? … Let me see, how could I paint this picture?
"He's… he's uh… tall, kinda burley… has silver swirly hair and… I dunno… I didn't see his eyes." I lied again. Why was I lying about this? I guess I just didn't want to remember his eyes. They scared me a lot!
There was a long pause on the other line. What were they doing? Shouldn't they be coming to our aid like they promised? Maybe they were quickly running through a vague battle plan they cooked up while waiting for the inevitable call. How could they expect something not to go wrong? That actually made me wonder if they purposely dangled me out here as bait so they could catch this guy.
Funny. This guy seemed more henchman to me. His body said brawn and not much brain. Speaking of which I suddenly felt his firm grip on my shoulder! "Ah! He's fast!" I yelled. Maybe that would be a distinction to them.
I gasped as I felt him pulling me back. A slight "irk" sound came from my throat when the man's other hand wrapped around my neck. The phone slipped from my hand and clattered on the ground once he lifted me into the air. "No…!" I said kicking madly trying to get free. I had to tell them where we were. I kept my eyes on the phone, just wishing that I had held onto it.
I saw the kids peering from behind a wall. "D-Denzel… get the phone…" I stammered. As soon as I spoke the man's grip tightened around my neck until I could only choke. The fact that I could hardly breathe wasn't so much painful as it was annoying. I kicked harder but to no avail. He was holding me his full arm's length away from his body. My legs couldn't reach, no matter how hard I tried.
To my relief Denzel picked up the phone and then ran back to safety. I focused back on my own predicament and thought of how I could get out of it without being injured too badly. From everywhere I looked at it, there was no way out. He amazingly didn't leave any openings!
I must've missed something because now Marlene had the phone and Denzel was running back to… uh… save me. I was doomed. But I found myself counting on him when the man turned to leave. With each stride he took, I felt more and more like I wanted to cry. I was so embarrassed when I started whimpering just to keep the tears at bay. Oh! I was so dead!
No. I was saved. That hurt my pride. He'd managed to take down this giant by ramming into him from behind. That brought me to realize that the ogre was now on top of me and crushing my ribs. "Ah!"
"Cloud?" Denzel asked. "Need some help?"
"Please!" I gasped. It was getting harder and harder to breathe. Denzel made a move to help, but Mr. Man started getting up and we both froze. Of course! He wasn't ever knocked out, he just fell over.
He threw a punch at Denzel as he was getting up, but Denzel pulled back at the last second so it only got his nose. He still fell over and it looked like it would bruise pretty badly. I was left feeling like it was my fault. This guy was after me, so they say. But he didn't disprove that when he got to his feet and brought his foot down onto my sternum and held it there so I couldn't go anywhere. I heard Marlene screaming as he did so. But what she said I couldn't make out.
I was confused when he started laughing at something. That is, until I felt that warmth running down my cheek. I raised a hand to my face and brushed it off to see the salty liquid dripping off my finger. Damn! I failed! I shed a tear. No! That habit was something I was trying to wean myself off from. I was surprised when he lifted his foot off my chest and started crying himself. Denzel had kicked and nailed the Neanderthal right in the balls. Good shot! Not my style, but good shot nonetheless.
I took my chance and got to my feet as fast as I could. I ran over to Marlene without stopping, Denzel right behind me, and took the phone. "Come on! Come on!" I said as I kept running. I let Denzel go out in front because he knew his way around where I was running blind.
/"Where are you?"/ Mr. Valentine asked from the phone.
"We were looking down in one of the back allies and some guy showed up." I paused to clench a hand on my aching chest. "He's really… almost inhumanly fast."
/"Are you hurt?!"/ Zack shouted through the phone.
I rolled my eyes again but never took them off Denzel. He was zigging and zagging, making the path we were taking as erratic as possible. "No one's hurt." I sighed.
/"S-say that again."/ Zack answered.
"I said no one's hurt!" I shouted rather irritated. If he wasn't going to listen, then why the hell did he bother asking?! I jumped when stupid and ugly caught up to us. Denzel toppled over a trash can and he ran right into it making a loud crashing sound. "Geez!"
I hope they didn't hear that over the phone. That'd do nothing but make them worry and I was just hoping that'd we'd all make it out of this with some bruises.
/"Where are you now?"/ Mr. Valentine asked.
I looked up and licked at my dry lips. I had quite a few nervous habits and I never really thought about them until now… when I had performed two, maybe three of them in the past ten minutes. Anyway, I looked around and saw one thing. The monument in the square. That was recognizable and it also meant we'd almost gone in a circle. Denzel and Marlene pulled me aside under a fire escape and behind a dumpster. It smelled, but we were concealed from sight.
"I can see the monument in the central square. We've taken cover and trying to stay out of sight." I said holding my breath as best I could.
We waited a few more minutes and began to get impatient, we didn't want to hang out here all day… so either Zack and the others show up, or stupid walk by so we could double back on him. Neither were happening. Denzel and Marlene began whispering something to each other. But I heard something heading towards us and basically told them to shut it. I couldn't help it, I was tense. He struck me as a SOLDIER and SOLDIERs had enhanced senses, including hearing. They had enhanced everything now that I think about it. So this wasn't the time to be whispering things to one another.
Sure enough stupid walked by and didn't even look at us. I held in my relieved sigh until I was sure he was long gone. I exhaled and left my hiding place. Just realizing my phone was still on, I hoped they weren't freaking out. I should probably say something. Lifting the phone to my ear I took a breath to speak when there was a loud bang from behind me.
"AGH!!" Next thing I knew, my phone was on the ground, I was on my knees and clutching my searing shoulder. It burned like acid. What just happened?! I'd never felt anything like this before.
The burning quickly turned into a sting that traveled all the way up my arm until it caused a prickling sensation in my brain. My body wanted to shut down, but I wouldn't give in. This was just great! My left forearm injured and now my right shoulder was bleeding like hell!
I wasn't in a very happy mood right now and it didn't help when I heard an even more irritating chuckle coming from the culprit. It wasn't stupid and ugly either. It was someone else.
Another wave of pain shot through me and I fell to my side. I was being so dramatic, I hated myself.
"What's the matter?" The newcomer asked in a mocking tone.
I just glared at him. This long haired, effeminate jerk! Why did he find pain so funny? I searched his face for the answer and everything about him said sadist! I couldn't believe this. Turning away, I saw my phone. It was still on and I could vaguely hear Mr. Valentine screaming through it for someone to answer. I used my left arm and reached for it, but when I did, this newcomer stepped over me and stomped his boot down on it. There was a sad little plinking sound before it snapped in two.
"No!" I was still paying for that! This guy was not getting on my good side.
"Loz!" He shouted. "Get the other two and come with me."
"Don't even!" I yelled seeing he meant to pick me up. No. He'd better just stay away from me. I was feeling confident, until he started laughing again.
"What are you going to do about it?" He asked. When he scooped me up, I couldn't help but scream, I think the sadist meant to take hold of my injured shoulder. More moisture was beginning to gather at my eyes, but I just closed them and held it back as best I could.
"Yazoo!" The other guy called.
"Loz. Stop crying and just follow me." … Yazoo said. I grunted when he roughly slung me over his shoulder. I was for the third time today finding it difficult to breathe. I guess it was because he was careless and now my diaphragm was resting on his shoulder. Even though it didn't look it, he was wearing shoulder armor. That made it even worse. This was so humiliating!
"I'm not crying." Idiot stick said walking up with two kicking children in his grasp.
"Mmhmm." Yazoo nodded. He just shrugged, which caused me great discomfort, and then walked away. I didn't have anything better to do besides stare pathetically at stupid. Wait… Was it just me, or did I just get a reaction out of him?
"Yazoo…?" He said unsurely.
Oh yeah… I got a reaction out of him. Maybe, I could… well it wouldn't hurt to try.
I tried pouting like a child, which wasn't hard because I was in pain and holding back tears, but that was beside the point. The point was, he reacted more strongly and pouted back. I dunno if Yazoo knew what I was doing or not, but he threw me down against a brick wall in the back alley we were just in.
"Ow!" I complained. But I was ignored. Marlene and Denzel were set down beside me and were looking at me funny. "What?" I asked in a whisper.
"Why didn't you do anything?" Marlene answered.
"I did all that I could in my condition. I don't have much training." I half shrugged. I couldn't even move my shoulder now. I was pissed. What good did this armor do me? The bullet hit just beneath it!
"We didn't exactly do all we could either, Marlene." Denzel sighed. "We'll make it through."
"Shhh." I said putting my left finger to my lips. I wanted to eavesdrop.
"What do we do now, Yazoo?" Numbskull asked. "He didn't tell me what to do after I got him."
"Loz, I don't think he cares what you do to him. You could probably have sex with him and he wouldn't care." Yazoo said sarcastically.
"Eww!" Ugly said as he cringed. "Yazoo, that's just gross. I wouldn't do that… but seriously…"
"Loz. Just watch." Yazoo said walking up to us. He raised his gun and paused to show us a smirk. I shut my eyes and waited for the blow, but it didn't come. I opened my eyes and instead Denzel fell over.
"Denzel!" Both Marlene and I shouted.
"Oh, be quiet." Yazoo said digging his thumb into my open injury.
"Ah!" I hissed. I hate sadists. This wasn't funny like his laughter was making it out to be.
"Loz, pay attention!" He hissed. I couldn't help but feel a little queasy when seeing my blood dripping down his wrist. He Leaned past me and picked up Denzel. What was he doing? My question was answered quickly when he dragged his blood covered thumb across the boy's forehead. My eye twitched in disgust. That had to be the most disturbing thing I'd ever seen anyone do.
"Yazoo, what does that do?" Lame brain asked scratching his head.
"Look." He sighed. "Take Cloud with you and I'll distract them. Do not bandage his wound until you've taken portions of his blood and spread them all over. That will confuse the SOLDIER. Then when you're sure you've accomplished that task, take him to the church and wait. Do what you want with the girl."
Marlene and I were both listening to this with looks of horror. How could anyone be so sick? Maybe I was just biased. But it was my blood they were going to use and that meant I'd have to deal with possibly hours of pain. But… maybe I could reason with dipsoid. He did react to my previous actions. Maybe, just maybe he would let us go. That is, if he took Marlene. My bet is, he would. He struck me as the type to like kids.
"Yazoo… won't that hurt him?" Dumbo asked, as expected.
"Of course it will. But it's not my idea. He told me to do it, and I'm telling you."
"I guess that makes sense." Idiot said… thinking?
"Uh-huh… now go!" Yazoo said pushing him before running back the way he came.
Nitwit stood there and thought. He stared at us and Marlene stared back. I looked away from him. Just trying to see if he would say something, that's when you make your move, because normally if they say something they feel something of compassion.
"Uh…" He said unsurely. After a few moments he picked up Denzel and walked off. It was clear that if we both ran off, he'd track us down and possibly kill one of us.
It was that or he'd figure he screwed up and wait for Yazoo to come back. Stupid swirly haired jerk! I'm so glad he couldn't hear my thoughts. I would never say this stuff out loud. The way I spoke to Yazoo was the first time I had spoke up for myself in a long time. I mean a really long time. Thinking back on it, I realize I've never had many reasons to speak up for myself. I wanted to when Tifa's father blamed me for her getting hurt. I had next to nothing to do with it. I was there though, that was his only reasoning.
I looked to Marlene. Maybe she had a plan to get away from this guy. But she looked back at me quizzically. She didn't have one. That's what I observed. But I still wanted to be sure.
"Marlene." I whispered. "Any ideas?"
"No…" She answered back. I had to look a little disappointed. Apparently Denzel was the idea man. I couldn't help but let out a long sigh once I realized the suspected to be true.
"Run." I said staring at my shoes. "Go back to the bar."
"No…" She replied shaking her head.
"Marlene, go. I'll be fine." I said more sternly. But she didn't think long before she got to her feet and ran down the alley. I watched her go, but I didn't feel sad. I just spent my time casually waiting. Waiting like a prisoner for his sentence.
After about seven minutes, I found myself wishing even Loz would come back. Stupid ogre. Where was he? This was the first moment in months that I've felt so alone. There was no noise, no one around. The absence of people always made me afraid. I hated to be alone, and yet, I hid from the others in the barracks. I confuse myself so much. Almost as much as others confused me.
I clutched my shoulder when I felt a twinge of pain radiating from the bullet wound. The sting made me hiss, but it wasn't as bad now.
--
Bringing my knees up to let my left elbow rest on them I hid my face in the crook of my arm. "Why? Why am I a weak little crybaby?" I asked myself. I couldn't hold it in anymore, I was so sad. I didn't even know why. I just felt so sad and hurt. All of the pent up emotions released at that moment and the tears forced their way beyond my control. And of course that left me feeling weaker because I couldn't even control myself! My cheeks pinkened and I felt the warmth running down my face. But it somehow felt cooling, like all of my tension was leaving with the tears.
"Where did she go?"
"Huh?!" I looked up a bit shocked. I was so caught up with my emotional problems that I hadn't even heard him walking back. "She… hic" I stopped talking and just blinked. I… hiccupped. I forgot I was crying in the state of my surprise.
"Don't cry." He said pulling me up onto my feet. Too late. Now that I've started, I can't stop. I really wanted a hug, but he wouldn't and didn't do that. He just picked me up, made sure I could stand, and took a step back.
"Are you gonna kill me now?" I asked rubbing my eyes. But every damn time I cleared the tears that were there, new ones formed. It was endless!
"Kill you? No." He said almost offended. "No one's gonna kill you. He wouldn't allow it." He paused for a while. It made me a little nervous. "Sorry your little friend ran off." He sighed.
That was what he was thinking about that whole time? I was unimpressed by his process ability. But soon I was torn from my thoughts by pain… again. It was Loz, he'd taken a firm grip on my left arm. I tried to hold in my cry too, but I failed at that as well. "Ah!" I was getting tired of this sort of treatment.
At the sound of my scream, Loz released my arm and jumped. He wasn't expecting that. "What?!" He said in an almost frightened tone.
"N-nothing. You just agitated my bite… that's all." I said timidly.
"Are you going to scream like that every time I get blood from you?" He asked cautiously.
I thought and remembered the pain when Yazoo did it. "… Probably." I said finally after hesitating to answer. I couldn't tell what he was thinking with these questions.
"Hmm…" Uh-oh. He was thinking again!
He didn't say anything after that, but he did start dragging me by my left arm again. But this time by the upper arm. I lost track of all the places we went, but it was probably a full circle. Every time he found a good place to mark, he took the blood from around the bullet wound instead of digging into it. It stung a little because of the oversensitive area, but it was much better than what he could've done. And again I felt regret. I'd been so rude to him, but he was being so nice to me. Unlike Yazoo, Loz was going out of his way and making things more difficult so I wouldn't feel as much pain.
--
We got to the last spot and Loz did nothing but curse. I looked at him confused, but I knew why he was upset. The blood around the wound had dried up. But if he let this spot stay clear, there'd be a huge open spot in the circle he'd created. And I cursed myself for letting my meek personality take over and be lead around like a dog. Why did I cling to whoever I was with?!
"There's no blood left." He complained. I tried looking at the bullet wound, but it made me feel sick to see it. Part of me wanted to offer suggestions, but I also wanted to see if he'd give up.
"Let's just try and do it really fast." He said nervously.
I think in his perspective, I was a child and he didn't like to hurt children. Nonetheless, he stuck his index finger into the bullet wound and slid it across the flat surface he'd selected. He was so fast I barely saw it. But it only took a short time for the pain to come. Wanting to hold it back from Loz, I was able to dull it down to a hiss and a wince.
"Let's go." He said quickly wrapping some random cloth around the bullet wound. I couldn't help but wonder if he was in a rush about something. There really was no time to ask.
He wrapped one of his arms around my waste and tucked the other under just under my knees. It felt really awkward. But after that, he took off going at my guess, his top speed. Everything looked blue. It was like the images of space travel we often see. Weird. Then we were soon standing outside this old decrepit building that had seen better days.
"Come with me." Loz said placing me back down on my feet.
"Ugh…" I answered folding over and falling on my butt. My insides felt like someone had put them through the washer or something. All churned up and in the wrong place.
"Hey, you alright?" He asked walking over.
I responded by clutching my stomach and falling onto the flat of my back. And 'Bam!' The sun hit me square in the face and made me squint to see Loz leaning over me. I didn't care what he thought anymore. I felt flushed and like I was gonna throw up. Yeah. I didn't care about him seeing much else, but I refused to puke in front of him.
"You don't look so good." He said moving to block my eyes from the sun.
"Nngh." I groaned. And not before long I was back in his arms. I merely relaxed and let him carry me off, bridal style, into the building.
Barely inside and it was not long before I heard footsteps outside.
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(A/N) Remember to review. I like hearing from you guys.