A.N: Thank you so much, and I'm glad that you're reading and agree with me that Mara needs a good slug, maybe I'll throw one in on your behalf through Selphie hahaha. Some other guy thinks that Squall and Irvine are in the wrong but I think thats just one of my friends being an asshole because they weren't very nice about their opinion and its complicated our bickering so I won't get into it. But thank you for reading all of you, and thank you LN Tora
...
Rinoa stands in the waiting room with Zell and Irvine. She's just received treatment in the examining room for the teeth marks that punctured her skin an hour ago. It was like they'd walked into a trap with the way it happened. The four of them drove out to the forest in a rented car, Angelo shot out of the window of the backseat before the thing so much as came to a solid stop and took off into the thick. The four of them followed as closely as they could, listening out for the dogs movement. Angelo had paused in his place, barking at the back of a crying woman. Irvine approached first, asking the woman if she were alright. The crying lady laughed at that then and turned on him, lashing at Irvine with arms straight out and sharp fingernails aimed at his face. They would have been at a loss if Angelo hadn't stepped into and bit into the woman's leg. But the leg-up in battle was short lived because Angelo's bite went clean through her leg, snapping his teeth down onto themselves as if his jaws were never opened.
The confused animal barked and growled, unsure of what to do with a situation like this. He's never attacked something that wasn't there before. But he remained strong and unwilling to have his owner and the others in danger.
The woman shifted its image, the blurred lines of her face would be with Rinoa forever as they melted and spun into a thick dark mass with glowing wide red eyes. Zell was the first to panic out the words they were all thinking.
"I-.. its a ghost!"
The mist swam through the air like all the darkness were made of liquid, and it were basking in the free movement of its weightless pool. If Angelo hadn't been there the four of them might still be out in the forest trying to locate the phantom. They've never dealt with something like this before, the undead, sure! But never just flat out dead. None of them had holy junctioned and none of the monsters in the forest carried it. So they had to do the best that they could with what they had. As for how her arm got bitten into, Angelo had gotten himself possessed. No one noticed anything was wrong until the dog had its teeth in her left arm like it were a soup bone. Angelo growled and shook his head back and forth making the bite far worse than it would have been had the dog only clamped down on her. Seifer came to her rescue kicking her beloved dog in the gut, he muttered how much he hated dogs and it was a matter of time before Angelo joined the list. But Rinoa knew that her faithfull dog would never lash out at her, that something was wrong. The glowing red eyes were proof of that, but how to approach the dog without hurting it was a whole other story.
She can't be sure if Zell were hoping for the best, or simply knew what he was doing when he'd cast Aero on the dog, but Angelo dug his heels in steadying himself from the current that was trying to sweep him up into the air. The spirit seemed unable to withhold its hold on the dog and the thick cloud shot out of the animal like a bullet. Or maybe the bang came from Irvine, who opened fire with his gun. They could barely see the thing when it floated up to the trees thick branches, but they could guess that a manmade bullet did nothing to the spirit. But it would have been nice just to see it; not even the spits of moonlight could highlight something that dark to their naked eyes.
"Draw scan from me." Irvine said after his eyes flashed green with the ability.
The 3 stood around drawing magic from their friend's body. Blue lighting swirled through the air encasing them, and they quickly cast the ability once it was theirs to command. Looking around the could see more clearly, animals, and monsters alike are shown to their field of vision up to 200 yards.
"Does anybody see it?" Zell asked looking around.
"No." Replied Rinoa.
Irvine shook his head. "I had an eye on it for just a minute."
Seifer attacked them then. He'd been possessed. It was obvious. Every swing was meant to take off one of their heads. Seifer had frightening acquiracy when attacking, and the manhunt went on for what felt like a good hour or so. Irvine shot at him, but it only tore through the possessed male's long coat. A rattle sounded soon after that as a long chain whipped out from the gun coiling itself around Seifer's ankle, jerking the male to the branch covered ground. He grunted from impact having popped his head, but he wasn't stunned for very long. Swinging his arm out, he snapped the chain in half before he could be pulled any closer to Irvine's fire. The gunman wouldn't have truly shot Seifer, not in any vital spot anyway.
But Zell grabbed his lover, wrapped his arms tightly around the taller male and flipped him over with him dropping Seifer on his head, from there a hand to hand broke out between the two and it seemed that Seifer would lose, but the taller blond got in a few good punches to the face. Rinoa, while the possessed male was distracted, used her Twisted Jester limit break to drain Seifer's energy to nearly gone. They didn't stop until the spirit released its hold on the ex-knight. With scan they are able to see it as clearly as they could see one another as it weaved around the forest trying to lose their attention.
"Seifer, you ok?" Zell asks, helping his lover up.
"Yeah. Where is that fucking thing?" He looks around, taking off the moment he spotted it drifting through the trees.
"Seifer wait!" Zell called after the charger male. "How can he still walk, you zapped him almost dry."
Rinoa shrugged. "It must work differently on people, I've never tried it until now." She takes off after Seifer.
Seifer was focused hard too, he'd even climbed up a tree and somehow kept his balance as he hopped from branch to branch catching up to the spirit. "Stay back!" He called down to them after pulling out Burning God, a type of Hyperion gunblade. The black blade flashed in the moonlight, the embedded crystal red flame design flashed as the limit break activated. A large burst of flames shot through the sky like a tidal wave; it seemed to be its own phantom with the shape the living blaze took on. The oversized head opened its mouth closing down over the black mass devouring it whole.
It all went well from there... sort of. Seifer didn't exactly stick the landing as he drew in the Esper spirit, and ended up breaking a bone in his leg. Now the 4 of them are in the hospital waiting out the news of whether Seifer would be staying overnight or not. Rinoa got her arm treated and Zell and Irvine were practically unscathed. Thankfully, Seifer's punches only offered Zell a black eye, nothing serious. They'd all gotten pretty dirty in the scuffle that lasted a lot longer than she could even remember, and Rinoa planned to spend the night at the hotel to get herself cleaned up. If Seifer had to stay that meant Zell would stay. But Irvine, after washing the dirt from himself in the men's room, bid them all a farewell and took his leave. Zell followed and the two have been in a heated conversation since... She had a slight curiosity of what they were talking about, but when a fly away word like 'sex' hit her ear she dismissed it. Boys can be a little too comfortable in public places.
"Listen partner, if Squall and me are having wild sex its no ones concern but ours. See ya around."
Knowing what Irvine must have assumed, Zell waves his hands to stop him from leaving. "No, no. I'm not asking for any weird reason, its just that, when you and Squall were getting dressed this morning he asked me about sex." Puffing up his chest, he says in an authoritive tone. "And I think its wrong if you guys are exposing him to that kind of stuff at such a young age. Accidental or not."
Irvine didn't seem offended just confused. Then it seemed that he was taking count to how many times he and Squall might have been overheard. "If Kait's overhearing it, that's a surprise to us because we don't do a thing unless we're sure Kait is out of the house, and will be so for a good while. Anytime we happen to dabble during the night it isn't until he's dead asleep, and even then we cast silence on ourselves."
Taken back, and mortified, Zell felt his cheeks heating.
"Did he flat-out say that he's heard us? Or..."
"Oh," He scratched the back of his head. "No. Nothing like that, Kait just asked me what sex was. It was such a weird thing for an eight year old to bring up... I could only guess it was because he might have overheard or seen you."
Now Irvine looked momentarily offended by that comment, but shook his head snickering. "Right. I'm not entirely sure why Kait would ask, but I'll definitely have a chat with him about it. And don't worry, we'd never expose him to such a thing... not until he's nine." He punches Zell playfully in the gut.
Smiling, he defends himself by scooting back. "Ohh, funny."
"Well," Irvine laughed. "you're all red faced about it. Its funny."
"Its really not, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack. Kid scared the friggin' shit out of me with that question."
Curious, Irvine asked. "What'd you tell him?"
"I told him that adults do it to show they love each other." He shrugged feeling relief wash over him. Speaking to people about parenting can get you killed. Thankfully, Irvine took it well enough.
"Oh. Better than what I would have said, which is, you're crazy and there ain't no such thing as sex."
Laughing, Zell shook his head. "Or the ever popular, go ask your other parent."
"Too true." Patting Zell on the shoulder, Irvine turns again to the exit. "I'll see you around buddy."
"Bye." He waved while his friend passed through the sliding doors.
"Zell, Seifer's whining for you." Rinoa, who came up beside the blond when his conversation with Irvine was over, says in a tired voice. She was ready to go get herself cleaned and fed before turning in to a hotel room. It would have been great if her and Selphie's place was put together now, then she wouldn't have to waste a dime and Zell could stay over with her. But que sera.
"What for? The doctor said he can't leave tonight no matter what."
"I don't know, but I'm going. Want me to get you a room at the hotel? I'll call you on the number, you can get the key from me."
"Yeah, thanks. Night Rin'."
"Goodnight."
Walking down the hall, Zell turns into room 109. He had to stifle his snigger because there was no way to laugh at his lover without offending his pride greatly, but he looks so funny laying in bed, hospital gown on and one long leg elevated with a stark white cast over it and his toes peeking out.
"Its not funny."
"But it is funny," Why did Seifer have to say that, now he's chuckling all the way over to the chair next to the bed. Taking a seat he pats his bedridden lover on the head. He looks so cute there with his hair all disheveled from the tussle earlier, his bangs that are usually slicked back have fallen onto his forehead and around. "Aaww baby," He says in a sweetie-weetie mommy voice, like one might hear when they're sick at home and said parent were taking care of you, while patting the pouting male on the head. "what does sweetums need?"
"Brass knuckles if you don't kill the voice." Seifer grit out.
Hands up in defense Zell nods. "Fair enough."
"Can you get me something to eat? Like a burger or something."
"I don't think I can get back in time to hand it to you, visiting hours will be over eventually."
"Fuck protocol, get me a burger."
"No. How 'bout something from the cafeteria?"
"That food taste like an old ass."
"But fast food gives you an erection. I don't get you."
Rolling his green eyes up to the ceiling, he wished for a moment that Rinoa was back in here, she at least would have listened to him. "Don't act like you don't eat it as well, besides, do you want for me to starve to death?"
"If you could do that over one missed meal, I'd say good riddence." He grins teasingly. "I'm on a break from junk food because I told my team to take a break. I can't let them down by lying."
"You suck, dinky."
His smile widened, and standing up he tousles his lovers already disheveled mess. "I'll get you something good, taste tested myself," Hand held up as if taking the oath, he adds for good measure. "I promise."
"Whatever. Just hurry up."
"Okay." Heading out of the room Zell had to heave a sigh. Seifer and broken leg meant big trouble for him at home. Damn it. He can already hear the high pitched ting of a bell. Why couldn't it be himself who got hurt, or Irvine, or Rinoa?
"Move it Dincht, I can still see you standing there." Droned Seifer.
"Yes dear." Yup. Definitely gonna be a long month.
88888
Selphie is pushing her shopping cart through the freezer section. It was such a lovely day this morning she decided to do a little shopping. Besides, she can't eat out all the time, it would be nice to have a homecooked meal once in a while. Not that she's so great at it, but she figured eventually her and Rinoa will be cooking meals for each other, so one of them should at least have some kind of skill at it. She's been walking around the market all morning, though her shopping was done ages ago. The reason for the delay in buying her purchases it that she's spotted a boy who she thinks is really cute.
Selphie Tilmitt rarely has a true and honest crush on anyone, her heart being taken by Seifer and Zell for the time being. But when she does like someone you can tell. It isn't an inner thing like with most people, where your heart flutters uncontrollably or an outer thing like giggling like a goon, or constantly fixing something on your person. No. Selphie admires you, smiles that thought of you, then ignores you heavily when you give her attention. Its odd, but its her own thing and try as she might the habit can't seem to be broken. But its only ever to the crush; friends are fair game and she'd talk your ear off about the boy if you aren't quick enough to get away from the conversation.
'And we'd have gorgeous kids too! Black hair, green eyes...' She wasn't a fool to her own interest.
He was Laguna Loire. His hair is short, messed about his head, pale skin, dark green eyes like her own, he looks about 5'8", and has a swimmers physique, with those forearms he very well could be a swimmer. What a dream.
'I wonder what his name is?' Walking closer, she's right up beside him when she points into the freezer and asks. "Could you hand me that meatloaf dinner, please?"
Blinking in brief confusion that the girl has spoken to him, he looks into the freezer pulling the meal out. "This one?"
"Mhm. Thanks." Taking it, she drops the single meal into her cart.
The man smiled at her sweetly, then said in a curious tone. "What would a pretty girl like you be doing with a single person meal? You should be going out on dates every night. Is your boyfriend broke or something?"
Selphie shrugs nonchalantly. Hook. Line. Sinker. "I don't have a boyfriend, and I'm completely hooked on these things. You get used to it when you're in the military."
"You're in the military? Cool. My dad is a retired police chief."
"Oh really? What city?" Her attention sidelines to her pants pocket, her phone is buzzing.
"Esthar." He decides to pursue his interest and be blunt- discretely. "You know, if you don't wanna eat alone tonight, I could come over to your place and cook something for you."
Holding her finger up to ask for a second, she answers her phone. "Hello?"
"Selphie where are you? I need you to do something for me." Came a panicked voice that was so foreign a sound to her she almost didn't know that it was Squall.
"Sure, anything; what's up?"
"Its Kait. She took him. That bitch took him!"
"Oh no!" Walking away from her cart she's already heading for the exit. What's his name was calling out behind her that she didn't pay for her things, but who had time for that right now? "What do you need?"
"Go to the shipyard and ask around, maybe she took a boat off the island. I'll send you a photo to show around." It sounded as though he were doing that just then. "I'm at the train station right now, and no one here has seen her or Kait."
"How much time are we talking? When was he taken?" She checks her watch. School ended ten minutes ago. Mara can't have gotten that with Kait in such a short amount of time.
"From the playground during recess, that shitty school didn't call me until the end of the day." And damn it but he's thoroughly pissed. "She's got four hours on us."
"Four hours? Squall, she could be in Timber by now."
"No kidding, I'm gonna call Zell when I get done with you. But check for me, okay?"
"Got it."
Hanging up she pushes her short legs as hard as they can go in order to make it to the shipyard. Fuck that woman. Can she really be this clever? She knew Squall and Irvine would be on alert for her, picking the child up and dropping him off, so why not snatch him when they really wouldn't expect it. During recess. If she could get her hands on that woman... she'd be back in the desert prison again, that's for sure. But her goal of murder would have been accomplished either way.
The sailors at the shipyard are busy at work. Some men are moving crates, others are loading boats with cargo. Some men are simply shouting orders to the others, and a few are cleaning. None of the submarines are in port, but thanks to the many missions SeeD members and cadets take, she knows a few names and faces of the workers. Scurrying over to a sub-worker named, Tano Ishida. He's leaning against the stone wall of the Sea Port building having a smoke. He must be on his break.
"Excuse me! Hey! Mr. Ishida?"
The man smiles upon seeing who's calling his name, although he'd smile even if he couldn't see the young lady. Any girl calling his name out if fine with him. Straightening up, he nods his head to say hello to her. "Mornin' young lady, what can I do for you? The subs gone for the day." The subman added as if answering an unasked question.
"I don't need a submarine ride, I need information." Breath caught, she straightens from her slump. "Have you seen this woman, or Kait?" Selphie opens her phone to show Mr. Ishida a picture of Mara that Squall sent to her phone.
Rubbing his beard, which bristled out when he grinned, Ishida said in a thoughtful tone. "I'd know if I saw a cute little fix like that, believe me. And I haven't seen Kait since you kids went on vacation."
"Oh."
"Is something going on?"
"Hopefully nothing bad, but this woman- her name is Mara something, I don't know, but she took Kait from school and we're worried that she might hurt him."
"She kidnapped him?" He takes Selphie's phone to look Mara over again. "But she looks so sweet."
"Ha! If you call stalking an eight year old sweet, than I don't want anything to do with you." Embittered, she removes her phone asking him to give her his number. "I need you to show the photo around to the other guys when they get back." When the picture is sent, she looks over her shoulder then back to Mr. Ishida to say. "I'm gonna ask the other guys around. Please do as I asked."
"No problem."
"Thank you." Dashing over to the first ship on site, Selphie hurried up the ramp to the captain. You can't take rides on the ship without consulting him first.
For an hour Squall checked every hiding place, nook and cranny of that school with the help of the negligent principal, and vice principal, and some of the staff from the head office. They came up empty. Kait's friends were no help at all, but they did provide a little insight to when it might have happened. It seemed that they were throwing balls around and Kait went around picking them up. Squall didn't have to have it pointed out since that's where he'd found Palidor, all splayed out and unconcious, blood trickling from his tiny bird head. Now the Esper creature is tucked under Squall's t-shirt, resting until he gets home. He must have scared the crap out of everyone he's talked to because, with the bleeding bird showing as a lump against his gut, he looked like he'd gone through a violent miscarriage. From there he went to Ma Dincht's little diner to ask if anyone had maybe seen the two come by, since its located nearly in the center of town. But all the customers said 'no'. Squall was thorough with the train station, being sure that none of the workers claimed amnesia because they're too lazy to answer some questions. He would gladly knock some sense into each and every one of them if that's what it took to get answers. But luckily it didn't come to that.
There weren't that many places to hide at the station. You have the ticket booth, the bathroom, the small eatery. Nowhere more. Squall was about to leave when he spotted Irvine stepping off the train thats just come in. The gunman pleased to see Squall, up until getting a real good look at the male. His features sagged instantly and he ran over to his lover rather than walked.
"What happened to you?" He asked in concerned panic. "Did you get attacked?"
"Sure as fuck feels that way. But this isn't my blood," Reaching into the neck of his shirt, he raises Palidor's fallen head into view.
Mouth agape, Irvine removes the battered bird from Squall's person. "Now I'm really confused. Did Palidor attack you?"
"No, Irvine, its Mara. She's got Kait."
"What!"
"She took him from the playground during school. I didn't find out about it until it let out and the school called to ask why Kait skipped class."
"Son of bi-.."
"I know. I've searched the entire building from left to right, top to bottom. I've been at the diner, Selphie is checking the other side of town and she'll probably hit up the hotel next." The greatest thing about Selphie is that the girl doesn't need direction. She knows what needs to be done and will stop at nothing to do it. "We need to get home, Palidor's been unconcious since I found him. I need you to swap bodies with him so we can find out what happened. I would have done it myself but you've made a contract with him."
"I know." He's got Squall by the upper arm walking hard for home with him in tow. "I can reach Rinoa and tell her to head to Fisherman's Horizon."
"And I planned to call Zell. Is Seifer still in the hospital?"
"Nothing fatal, he won't need Zell."
Squall nods while pressing speed dial for Zell's number. During the ten minutes it took to get home the two alerted the others of what's needed of them, they said they'd meet up with them when they could. Squall is on the phone with Quistis while Irvine makes a body swap with Palidor. Just by watching Irvine's tense posture change to almost relaxed, he knows that the swap was a success.
"I've sent the photo to your phone, Quistis. I've gotta go. Bye." Tucking his phone away into his pocket, he walks over to the kitchen counter. "Well? Imari, tell me how this happened?"
Imari cocked a crooked smirk at Squall when he turned to look at the male. He had a lot of gall asking for his help with the way he treats him even in Esper form. But he had to tell himself that this wasn't for Squall, but for Irvine and that dear little boy, Kait. Clearing his throat, the deeper points of his southern accent gone, the former Shumi member speaks. "I wasn't sleeping on the job if that's what you're thinking. I watched Kait playing with his friends and after a minute I had an itch."
"You had an itch!"
"Find anyone who can ignore them, I can tell you it won't be a very large crowd." He snapped. "Next thing I know, I turn around and there's Mara reaching into her purse for something. I flew down the stop her but I was tiny at the time, and as I'm sitting there growing, so I can do her some serious damage, bitch picked up a rock and beat me over the head, over and over until I black out."
Squall let out an exasperated sigh. How could this fucking happen? He knew he should have stayed at the school. But it never accured to him that she would... Not at recess!
"I'm sorry." And he meant it. "But, if it helps, before I went down I saw her scoop Kait's limp body up and she darted south. I know she had to have left town. She could be out in the forest in a damned tent waiting to make her get away as soon as she knows you're all up in a panic."
That actually sounded damned smart. Made a lot of sense too. At night, Mara could easily stow away on a ship. It would be impossible to sneak off by train without a ticket, not to mention he's alerted everyone at the station and showed her picture around. Not that he really had to since everyone living in town knows Kait. He needs to rent a car. If he drives out to the forest he might be able to sneak up on her.
"I'm going to check the forest. Get out of Irvine's body." Commanded the bristled brunet.
"I can help more this way."
"Yeah, you sure as fuck were no help as you were four hours ago."
Scoffing, Imari shakes his head. "Figures. Don't be jealous of me, Squall... I don't want Irvine's body, or his life- if it would inclose being with you. I just want to be helpful to my friend and Kait... and maybe come out sometimes for a little fun." Now he was trying to get under Squall's skin. But he can't help it. From day one the guys been a dick to him, with that whole 'give back my missing lover crap.' Why not poke the bear when the time presents itself.
Glaring, Squall charged up on the cocky Esper. Fist clenched and unclenched as he fought back a burning urge to knock the fucker out for the second time today. For that reason only would Squall applaud the woman. "Be lucky you've got my boyfriend's face, or I'd knock your fucking teeth out you imposter... Now, get. Out. Of. His. Body." He said it slowly as if the spirit ate paste for a living, rather than has lived for who knows how many years and probably has an enormous amount of knowledge under his wing.
Imari looked reluctant to comply, but decided it was for the best. Besides, he couldn't leave Irvine inside his healing bruised body. It wouldn't be fair to him. "Fine." Turning around, he looks down at his battered body, flinching at the thought of waking up with a huge migrane. Casting the spell in reverse he returned to his unconcious body.
"Is that you?" Squall asked. The spirit could be a trixter of a little fucker. He could easily have lied.
"Yeah, its me." Irvine rubs his bothered eyes. "Why does it have to be so damned bright in there?"
"I don't know," Squall replied offhand while walking to the door. "Imari said that Mara might be out in the forest waiting for the commotion to calm down before really leaving town with Kait. I'm gonna go check it out. You help Selphie with the hotel sweep, or search any other place you can think of that she might have gone to."
"Got it." Irvine nods. "I'll get Kait's pictures from his camera and get her photo up around town too."
"Thank you." When the door is pulling closed, Squall says. "I'll call if I get anything."
Irvine heads into his son's bedroom to retrieve the camera. Locating the best photo that shows Mara's face full on, he prints it out on the computer then takes it with him when he leaves their home. He really hoped that when they find Mara, and they will, he gets there first. Because there is no way in this world the woman will come out of this unscathed if its Squall who finds her.
88888
"I'll search the train station here, and ask around." Zell already has the woman's picture in his phone. He had the same idea of printing it out and putting it up around town. But he had to get to a booth first to blow it up for print outs.
Rinoa informed him that she was going to F.H. to search since it was better for Zell to stay in Timber with Seifer, incase the bedridden blond needed anything. The male was certainly in a good mood though, for someone whose broken a leg and has to remain in the hospital until he's fitted for crutches. From what Zell said over the phone, Seifer was freaking the nurses out by disappearing and reappearing in his bed, claiming that he'd died and they had to tell his friends and lover. It seems that Phantom, they found out is the Esper's name, can make its charge disappear and reappear just as easily as it can itself. It can also draw Seifer into shadows. The ex-knight's annoyance level would undoubtedly be on a high when he gets back to Balamb. Its thing like a new apartment in Timber that has the girl smiling in victory over the safety. But she felt for poor Zell.
Zell felt sorry for poor Zell. He wondered, as he stands at the photo hut machine waiting for print outs, if Ma would like for him to visit more. He can hit up the copy place a little later, but right now his path is to the train station and he took the long row of stairs leading up to the platform two at a time. The ticket seller seemed like the right way to go, but Zell knew that would be pointless unless Mara switched trains once arriving and needed another ticket to the next town. For the life of him Zell can't figure out why any of this is going on at all. They all seem to love Kait; why couldn't they just sit down and figure something out together instead of resorting to threats, and kidnapping. Surely his friends had to know that one would not have gone on if the other hadn't started it. But then again, Seifer told him that it was He who had threatened Mara more or less, and Squall and Irvine didn't know until recently. Maybe when they get Kait back everyone will calm down on the commotion and work it out. Nahh, that was doubtful. Something like this can only escalate things over the edge and thensome.
Spotting a security guard walking the platform, Zell heads to him first. "Excuse me, sir." He gives the Balamb Garden salute, dropping it when the man gives him a disinterested glance. "I'm looking for someone, a woman," He offers the man the enlarged photo. "she took someone, a little boy- eight years old- and I'm looking for her. Have you seen her come through here?"
"I've seen this woman, but not recently. It was uummm, shit... when was it?" The man tilts his head back to face the sky, his makes an odd noise with his mouth as he thinks. "That was sometime last month. You say she's taken a child? Have you gone to the police?"
"Not yet, I mean, I'm not sure. He's the son of two friends of mine, and its complicated." Zell couldn't tell the truth, it would sound ridiculous to the man. The important thing now was getting every together, not pitting them against one another as hearing the nitty gritty will have any other people involved choosing sides of who is in the right of Kait and who is in the wrong. And the important thing now is safety, fuck ownership and legality, panicked people become harmful people. Its never intentional, but it always happens. "Is it alright if I check with the ticket takers? They may have seen her."
"Fine with me, but this train is due to leave in about fifteen minutes, so make it quick or you'll be headed for Deling."
"Thank you." Hurrying onto the train, Zell seeks out the ticket-taker.
The sea port town is relatively small compared to other major towns and cities. Its like Balamb but with more apartments than scattered homes since they don't really have room to build out, their home life can only go up. Rinoa wandered to the train station. Uncertain of who to ask, she headed for the first person in uniform she's seen. Taking out her phone, she holds up the picture. "Have you seen this woman?"
The man gave the photo a look then shook his head.
"Are you sure? She would have been with a child?" Reaching into her pocket, she hoped like hell she has one, and removing her wallet she searches for a picture with Kait. "She'd be with this kid?"
The man looks over the photo that showed a smiling Rinoa, Selphie, and Kait wearing reign deer antlers, with a dollup of red paint on their noses. It was from a christmas party two years ago, but its good enough since Kait really hadn't changed much in appearance. The man smiled, then looked up at Rinoa. "Your friend is cute, but nope I've never seen the kid or that woman you showed me before."
Glaring at the comment about Selphie, Rinoa rolls her eyes. "Well is it alright if I board the train to ask the other employees?"
"Sure. Go right ahead."
"Thank you."
The day began to drag on, and the searches wide and small came up empty. Even Squall found nothing in the forest but a bunch of caterpillers that had the unfortunate luck of having his aggression taken out on them. He was beat by the time he returned home, Irvine came in three minutes after him. Zell retired to the hotel calling Seifer to check in. Rinoa searched for an hour more then went to her hotel room. She's get up in the morning to search again, but right now her legs are burning and she needs a rest.
Selphie, head dropped in failure, walked the hall to her hotel room. The sound of a throat being cleared caught her attention and she looked up to see the boy from the market. Brows knit in confusion when spotting the grocery bags on the floor beside his seated form. The male smiled and stood up, he held out a hand to shake hers but withdrew it to scratch the back of his head. He must have figured the gesture came off as lame.
"What? Have you become my professional stalker now?" Selphie asked in a clipped tone. Her usual kind and perky mood completely shot for the day.
Putting on a nervous smile, supermarket boy nods his head at the two bags of groceries sitting on the floor. "You ran out without your things; I paid for them for you and, too late, realized that I don't know your name or where you lived."
Sliding the key card through the door lock, she pushes it open, picking up a bag to bring in. "So how'd you find me?"
"Perk of a small town; I asked the register girl and she told me your name and also said that you're staying at the hotel." Picking up the other bag he follows Selphie inside. Spotting two beds, he wonders who the other occupent is. "I hope this is okay. I asked the kitchen to hold onto the stuff that goes in the freezer, you can just go down and get it whenever."
"I'm sorry." Selphie says when the second bag appears on the counter beside the one she'd just put down.
"For what?"
"Being a jerk so right off. I didn't say thank you, for bringing my stuff."
"Its okay."
"I've just been having a bad day." Reaching into the bag she unloads it on the counter top. When a particular item is pulled out and set down, her face turned beet red.
Blinking at the girls excusive giggle, supermarket boy looked down at what was just in his hand as he had started unloading a bag as well. With a shrug, he put in a smile. "Don't be embarrassed, I'm used to it. I lived with my sister until I could get my own place, so I'm no stranger to it, nor to buying them."
Blinking in utter amazement, Selphie shakes her head. If she were with any other guy and he were looking at feminine products they'd be ribbing her for sure. It was really nice seeing maturity in a male. "I may end up falling for you... eh..." Chuckling, she holds out her hand. "I'm Selphie Tilmitt."
"Sergy Ballantyne. Nice to meet you." He shakes her hand.
The two sit in a momentary silence before Sergy says. "Can I ask what's got you so ticked?"
Selphie frowned heavily. "My little nephew was kidnapped today, that was my heart's brother on the phone at the store. I've spent all day asking people if they've seen him or the woman who took him and came up with nothing."
"That is bad." He looked down at the counter thoughtfully. "Is there anything I can do to help? I can call my father, he can send guys out to search Esthar?"
"That'd be really great, thanks."
Silence falls over them again, and like before Sergy breaks it. "Is there more to it?"
"I'm just worried. I should check in with them." Removing her phone from her shorts pocket, she dials Squall's number.
Waiting, he looks around the tiny kitchen then puts the items away for her, making a detour to the bathroom while trying not to eavesdrop the girl's conversation. But he can't help listening in, afterall, she said he can help. It seemed that her 'heart's-brother', as she called him, is special ops commander Squall Leonhart. He's read so much about the guy he swears he knows him. Which is why its weird that Selphie would call him brother, Squall's living family is Ellone Loire and the former president of Ethar, Lagune Loire. Maybe the girl is nuts, but seeing those big green eyes glance his way he couldn't help but smile and make a note to himself that he loves nuts afterall.
"I'll be on it first thing tomorrow morning, but right now I need a rest."
She hangs up after listening to whatever the former commander had to say then she returned her attention to him. "Squall Leonhart's your brother?" Curiosity made him ask.
"Not flesh and blood but, like I'd said, he's a brother in my heart and I'm a sister in his." She shrugged. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"I'm good. So do you have any ideas as to who might have taken him?"
"Beyond good. It was a woman named Mara Trejo, its complicated but she claims to be Kait's mother."
"Claims?"
Smiling, Selphie told Sergy about how Kait came to be with all of them and how he's grown up with Squall and Irvine, then out of the blue here's Mara trying to take him back. Having succeeded at it, they can only hope that her intentions aren't harmful and that Kait will be alright until they can get him back. Mara Trejo could be anyone, just because she's Kait's birthmother doesn't win her an medals because where has she been for the eight years the boy has been growing up with them? And she can't just make the claim without proof. She didn't so much as offer a DNA test before she took it upon herself to just take her son back. And that's what sticks in Selphie's side so much.
"Wow." Sergy commented after drinking it all in. "But, if she is Kait's mother than she should treat him alright. No need to worry."
"I hope so."
"Sure." Looking at the clock on the microwave, he then glances at the door. "I'll be sure to call my father. Its late, you probably wanna get some sleep."
"Yeah. It was nice meeting you Sergy."
"You too. Bye... for now." He muttered out the last part before departing.
Selphie smiled to herself. She hoped that 'for now' meant that she'd see the male again. Horrible as the terms are, she was glad that he managed to track her down so she could see him again.
"I hate her." Squall declared letting his weight fall heavily onto his and Irvine's bed. "What the hell is the urgancy anyway? If she was this panicked about going to court, our chances were better than I had guessed."
Irvine, who's laying beside his boyfriend, only listened to his despaired words while looking at his sullen profile.
"She won't get away with this."
"Of course she won't, but Squall... I really think that we've gotta calm down about the punishment part. She won't hurt Kait, if she's really his mother then we've gotta get some kinda comfort from that. If anything, we'll find her and get Kait back. Worst case scenario we don't find him, but we know he's not with some sicko out on the streets."
"We don't know her Irvine, that's all there is to it!" He snapped, turning his cold gaze on the gunman. "She could be on medication, and wouldn't she have to be to just snatch a child?"
"There's no reasoning to a mother's desperate actions. I can only imagine what she must have thought about us that's wrong. I think we need a cooller head about this, darlin'. Otherwise we'll look more guilty than she is, and it won't turn out well."
"I can't be cool, Irvine." Sitting up, he reiterates. "I just can't." Getting out of bed he walks into the hall.
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. Go to bed."
"Hey, don't take it out on me. I'm not playing voice of reason, I'm just trying not to freak out and make finding him impossible." Irvine sits up as well, calling into the hall. "We need a clear head, or we'll just be running around with our heads cut off while she's sittin' right under our noses."
Hearing the door to their son's bedroom slam, Irvine rolled his eyes in exasperation. What he's saying is the truth, and Squall really needs to see that before something bad happens. As if this weren't bad enough. But still, he'd like to know how a woman can vanish without a trace?