(the music that sets the scene here is Gary Jules "Mad World" Search it on youtube)
There was a girl, sitting alone on a bridge. She was near the edge, sitting curled up looking down to the water. Behind her cars zoomed by, but she hardly noticed. As night fell around her, the small innocent wrapped her arms around her knees to keep warm.
A man stepped up from the side, near the edge, towards this girl. He looked empathetic, perhaps understanding. She did not look up to him.
"Are you ready to go?"
Now it is possible to see more behind the girl; an ambulance, police cars, a fire truck. All along the street were skid marks… leading over the side of the bridge, right between a few columns that had been broken.
The man approaching the girl had a police badge on.
Whoever he was wasn't important to the girl. She didn't care.
Silently the girl stood, still looking over the edge down to the water.
"What's going to happen… to my brother and me?" She whispered quietly.
The police man faltered. "We'll take you to the station, and send someone to get your brother. We will contact any family you have."
"We don't have any." Turning to the man, she looked him over. There were no emotions in her eyes – absolutely nothing.
Sighing the police walked up and put his hand on her shoulder. She stepped away. He didn't back off.
"Then you and your brother will be taken to foster care."
"An orphanage?" The girl muttered, showing emotion for the first time with the venom in her voice.
"If it's necessary"
The girl bit her lip, pacing back and forth on the street. Slowly, she seemed to let loose, grimacing deeper and deeper, tears freeing themselves from her eyes.
She stopped. She stood, silent, slowly turning to look over her shoulder.
"P – Please"
Surprised by the strong young woman's sudden weakness, the police approached her. She turned around to him, eyes wide and red.
"Please don't take me to the orphanage!"
0-0-0
- Just a bunch of nothing –
- little bits and tiny parts –
- floaty, floaty, floaty –
- momma, where are you –
"Hello"
Suddenly eyes shot wide open, body flew up and stood straight, and I was awake, but not alive. I felt… not hollow, nor empty, but… peacefully lacking of "stuff". It was like my insides were as big as the universe, stretching beyond myself. All around me were clouds… but were they clouds…
Someone stood in front of me, draped in clouds.
"Am I dead?"
The person nodded, and for a moment I saw their face. It was a woman.
I wasn't sure how I felt about being dead. Hadn't I been ready for death a long time? I had told myself that. I mean, only a while back I'd been attacked by a mugger and just let it happen. Death didn't mean anything to me.
I was actually a little disappointed to find I still had a being.
"How do you feel?"
I laughed a little. Looking up and around, I looked for the right words to say. How did I feel? Did I feel upset from seeing the fate of my mother's body? Did I feel enraged that the freak Kefka had been using her and had just stolen Jenova to use for who knows what? Would I cry from having lost everything?
Somehow I felt happy. In my heart, it felt like I'd done the right thing in going to Gaia, even when I'd led to so much trouble. I just wondered… Sephiroth…
Part of me wanted him to live on. But the small, little demented part of my heart wanted him to die. Then, maybe we'd finally have peace. We could float through the cloud world forever. There'd be no Jenova, no persecution.
"Samantha?"
With that I looked up again. "You know my name"
The woman chuckled a little. "I know a lot about you."
It was my turn to laugh. "Seems like everybody does." Then my look turned to that of understanding. "You're Aerith aren't you?" I didn't let her respond, because I knew it was her. "Where's Zack?"
"He's gone."
Surprised, I walked up to her. But then I somehow felt intimidated; like it wasn't right for me to approach her. "Umm… where to?"
"Zack went to help you. He was there, at the Saucer."
That was strange; I'd thought he'd spent all his power. "Wait… he's the one… when Cloud attacked me, something stopped him."
"Yes" Aerith laughed again. "It seems like even death can't keep their destinies from intertwining."
I spun around and began walking back. "If he can return, so can I." I declared, stretching my arm. I didn't have a weapon. I didn't have Jenova anymore. The only thing I could trust in was myself, but that was fine.
"But I had thought you'd come to terms with death."
That made me slow to a halt. Hadn't I? Wasn't I giving up? I'd hardly noticed that I'd decided to go back.
For a moment I just focused on breathing. No thoughts; just breathing in and out. Aerith started walking towards me, and somehow I couldn't make myself face her.
"Samantha… you know that your mother was special, don't you?"
"Oh, dammit, Crap!"
Racing down the stairs, Samantha looked terribly frightened. "Mom? Are you okay?"
The woman huffed and dropped her arms. "Yeah, I just –" Running around like a chicken without a head, the woman had no jeans on. "My favorite pants, I can't find them!"
The fear and surprise drained from Sam's face, and she sighed with a small smile. "You idiot…"
I smiled a little. "Yeah…"
Behind me, I think Aerith smiled too. "Well, she's more than you know her to be. But I don't think… I'm the one to tell you."
I rolled my eyes. "If not you, who?"
A chuckle came from behind me.
"Her husband."
0-0-0
They were standing outside the precipice. I could see them from my hiding place down in the audience, as the large crowd awaited "Sephiroth's" arrival. In reality, the silver haired man who was about to approach was really Vincent. On either side of him were Reno and Rude, both of whom looked frightened.
They were worried about her, more than likely. Everyone was. That was why Kadaj and Loz had been sent ahead. I had wanted to go, but… Sephiroth didn't yet know the girl was in trouble. If he found out, I needed to be there. Sephiroth was in no state, mental or physical, to go after her.
I found it odd that I didn't feel anything for her. Everyone seemed to give me pitying looks when they found out what had happened. But somehow, my heart was numb.
In my dreams, when I thought of her, the meeting was always joyous and led to she, myself, and Zachary become a family. It was like every problem and pain in our lives would melt away at her arrival. I suppose I had thought she would be like her mother. But she hardly looked like her.
When I looked into her eyes, I felt fear. Part of me was afraid to look and see something other than what I wanted. I wanted… I hoped to see something of Maria in them. But I didn't look. Like always, I was fearful of disappointment.
The roar of the crowd took me from my thoughts, as I saw "Sephiroth" being brought out onto the precipice. Rufus was standing beside him, Reno and Rude holding his arms. For a moment, they stood silently. I tried to catch Vincent's eye, but he wouldn't look my way. I had a bad feeling.
"Something is wrong" Sephiroth's voice came from behind me. It was quiet, almost thoughtful. I turned to look at him, and then looked up at Vincent again.
As the crowd called for Sephiroth's death, Rufus looked them over and began to step towards the crowd. But before he could, I saw a blonde man in a scientist coat step in front of him onto the precipice. Rufus and his cronies seemed shocked by his appearance. He stood in front of the crowd, lifted his arms.
"Wonderful people of Gaia!" He began to enormous cheers. "See this man?"
"This man standing before you is the man responsible for the deaths of your friends and family." As he spoke, the crowd responded in stride. I felt my sword hand twitch. This man was up to something.
Sephiroth came up beside me. We both listened carefully.
"This … monster… is cause for all our world's pain and death!"
"So Shinra had nothing to do with it?" Sephiroth muttered. He didn't say anything about being a monster himself. A part of me wanted to say something. But what could I say?
"So… now, with all the world to see… we shall have our justice… here, on this stage!" The man began sauntering about the precipice, before stopping in front of Vincent, grabbing his hair and pulling his head up. Then, he drew a sword from his belt and lifted it over the crowd. "Off with his head!"
"No!" I bolted forward, but Sephiroth grabbed my arm. I glanced back at him.
He spoke aloud, his voice traveling mentally to Tifa. "What's the plan?"
They were supposed to electrocute him!
"I have a feeling this man has reason to make sure Sephiroth is dead" I muttered angrily. I would make this man pay if he hurt Vincent.
"New plan" Sephiroth stated. "Have Vincent leave now."
Then they'll keep looking for you.
"There will be a second chance."
I broke in angrily. "Get him out of there now!"
The man was raising his sword higher, basking in the roars of the crowd. Reno, Rude, and Rufus stood helpless, unable to do anything without raising suspicion.
Sephiroth! Tell him to leave, now!
Sephiroth closed his eyes for a moment. Behind his eyelids, I saw his eyes flicker. "He's-"
"What?" I wondered, glancing from Sephiroth to Vincent.
A horrible, surprised look came over Sephiroth's face as he opened his eyes. "He won't do it."
"What!?"
The man faltered; then with a grimace he explained.
"He won't leave. Vincent plans to die."
0-0-0
A husband; I'd almost forgotten. During her years as Maria, my mother had gotten married… and had a son…
"Her husband" I whispered, feeling my mouth go dry.
How in the world, after everything I'd been through, could I feel nervous about having a step father? It didn't matter.
"I don't have time to run around looking for someone. I need to know what's going on; and I need to help, now." Closing my eyes, I finally turned around and looked at Aerith.
She was pretty; shorter than me by a little, with the same pink dress from the movie. Her eyes were kind, understanding, but also troubled. I wondered why she hadn't gone with Zack to help. Was she worried?
The girl bit her lip and sigh, closing her eyes. I felt sorry for her; something was making her feel bad.
Aerith took hold of my hand. "Hurry, come with me"
She began pulling me through the clouds behind us, and she was stronger than she looked. We began running, running through the nothingness around us. For a moment, I saw the entire universe and when I blinked it flared out of life in sparkling color.
Almost like we had wings we soared and everything became a blur around us. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe – until all my feelings became soft, as if I was surrounded by warm light.
"I want to show you something"
Aerith was pulling me out of the warm light, into a different kind of light. It was – less surreal, more substantial. Air rushed back into my lungs, and I felt my heart beat again. For mere moments, I was alive.
I saw Aerith as she turned and smiled at me. "Here, come look" She said. Pulling my hand, she led me out of the clouds. We stood on firm ground, but I could tell we hadn't left the realm of… whatever it was. Death? But it was so… warm.
There were no clouds around us anymore; we were beneath a warm blue sky, standing in a grassy field. Birds chirped, the wind blew by, and in front of us was one lone path.
Without a word, Aerith let go of my hand, and walked towards the path. Then she turned to look at me. Silently, she was asking if I would come. It was only for a moment, for she ran off without getting my answer.
I thought for a moment; I looked back and thought of my friends and family in life. Then, I started running after her, thinking that maybe the path to hell had more than good intentions on it.
Maybe it had hope too.
All around me are familiar faces
Worn out places
Worn out faces
Bright and early for the daily races
Going no where
Going no where
As we ran down the pathway, I saw something come into view. For a moment, I thought it was just an ordinary house. But when I came up to it, and stood beside Aerith, she smiled and pointed to a sign.
I was a little perplexed when I saw it. I didn't quite get the idea.
But I stood there for a moment, and it sunk in. I liked the idea. It made more sense.
"Will you show the others?" Aerith asked me. "It might help them understand."
I smiled. "Sure" I said. "I'll do whatever you ask. Just tell me… where do I start?"
She smiled and put her hand back on mine. "Right here" She said. "Start from right here."
Their tears are filling up their glasses
No expression
No expression
Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow
No tomorrow
No tomorrow
"I'm dead and done for." I whispered. "But maybe I can save the others."
Aerith smiled. "That's what I hope for."
I closed my eyes and stood silent then I nodded. "I'm ready"
"Then let's go"
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
0-0-0
Thousands of people were calling for my death.
They thought they were killing someone else, certainly, but in my heart I liked to think that I deserved their hate just as much. As the man above me pulled my hair taut and brandished a sword to kill me with, I felt about as much joy at my own death as he did.
I did wish I'd been able to free Lucrecia. And though I'd finally faced Sephiroth, part of me wished I could've… been his father for a moment. I wish I could've held him. But he would not permit this, and I would not ask. If only I'd been there from the beginning… regardless of whether Hojo or I gave him life, I would've been Sephiroth's father.
The three of us… we could've been happy. If I had helped her sooner… if I'd not failed her… and Sephiroth…
My last purpose in this world was to rid it of Shinra's corruption. My only duty is done. I can only think now of paying my debts.
The cold metal brushed against my neck. Leaning to my ear, the man sneered at me. "How does it feel?" He began. "Knowing you're about to leave the world when I'm about to rule it?"
What? Who was this man?
The blade went from being flat on my neck to having the sharp edge digging into my skin. It was truly my time… and I had thought it never to come.
"Vincent!"
That sent pain through me; the sound of Yuffie screaming my name. I had to ignore her. It was for the best.
"Good bye."
The blade cut my skin, and I closed my eyes, feeling death coming.
I find it hard to tell you
I find it hard to take
When people run in circles it's a very very
Mad world
Mad world
0-0-0
I was staring at my body.
Standing in the laboratory, I looked over everything. The doors were destroyed, a computer smashed, one wall torn apart from my mother's body flying through it. The dog was still changed up, lying on the floor, wiped out.
It was strange looking at my body. It was pale, really pale, and the chest was ripped up. Blood was everywhere. Leaning in the pool of blood was a being covered in white.
Slowly, I approached him. Then, I tried putting my hand on his shoulder. It worked. So, I fell to my knees beside him and leaned on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry" Zack whispered, his voice hoarse. "I'm so sorry"
"It's not your fault." I told him. "I wasn't strong enough"
Immediately the man turned and pulled me close, hugging me tight to him. Since there were no bodies in the way, I could feel all of him; the deepest part of his soul was right in front of me, and I felt the warmth coming from his heart. It had dimmed; it was horribly sad.
"Please, don't cry" I whispered. "Don't blame yourself for my mistake"
"Mistake?" He leaned back and looked at me. "You wanted your mother back. How can that be a mistake?"
I smiled a little. "I… guess I should've remembered that my mom is dead. I'd call that a mistake."
Zack sighed and pulled me closer. Then, he leaned back. "Look" He smiled. "Your hair's not silver"
That was a surprise. I pulled a piece into my view; it was dirty blonde again.
With a sigh, I took his hand. "Come on, we have to go." We both stood. I glanced around.
"Where'd Kefka go?" I spat, looking for him.
"He ran off when I was trying to help you." Zack whispered. "Sorry"
"It's fine." I frowned a little.
My eyes fell on the poor creature who'd fought to help me. Leaning next to him, I placed a hand on his chest. "He's still breathing…"
"Can we help him?" Zack walked up to us. Leaning down, he began messing with the chains. Frowning, he found them locked tight. So, he lifted his hand, and emitted light from his skin. The lock clicked and came undone. I watched him do the same to the other locks, before he gently placed the creature on his back.
"Let's go. We need to find Kefka, quick, before he screws anything else up." I agreed and followed after Zack. But then I faltered.
"Wait" The man turned towards me as I ran to the hole in the wall.
Quietly I peered through, and saw the next room over. It was another lab, another total mess; blood was smeared on the floor, but my mother wasn't there. "Keep going" I called back. "There's something I have to do."
"No time" Zack responded. "We'll have to come back." For a moment, I thought it over.
I nodded then Zack, the dog, and I left the lab, my body and my mother behind.
Children waiting for the day they feel good
Happy birthday
Happy birthday
Made to feel the way that every child should
Sit and listen
Sit and listen
0-0-0
"VINCENT!"
Someone screamed, and suddenly the blade left my neck, and I flew backwards onto the cement. Something warm was on me, and suddenly I felt myself lifted up.
"I knew you were lithe, but this is ridiculous." The voice laughed; I recognized it.
0-0-0
Before I could blink, Sephiroth was on the precipice, knocking the blonde with sword aside. The sword fell from his hand and fell into the crowd, and would've hurt someone if Yuffie hadn't leapt at it. Good going, Yuffie I thought with a smile. From the side I saw Cloud run over.
"Tifa!" He called me, and I raced to him.
We both looked up. The real Sephiroth had a black cloak over his head, standing on the precipice, and in his arms was our fake, Vincent. Blood was trickling down his neck. I was going to kill him! Rrr… I was so mad!
"Hey!" Yuffie called from the stadium. She had the Masamune in her hand.
With that, Sephiroth leapt from the precipise, his black wing unfolding, and he flew over the ninja, snatching his blade from her. The two disappeared into the sky.
"What now?" I wondered aloud.
"We find Sam." Cloud told me. I looked to him. Something looked weird…
"Hey" I said. "Where'd Sephiroth get that black cloth?" Suddenly Cloud looked flustered. For a moment, I stood confused. Then we both looked down.
The big black cloak Cloud usually had billowing around his waist was missing.
"Don't tell anyone."
Suddenly I felt very devious.
And I find it kind of funny
I find it kind of sad
The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had
0-0-0
I begin the rest right now!
Writing away,
SULHADAHNE