Crimson Lies Chapter 6
Contradiction
By Ashbear
I do not own Final Fantasy or any of its characters; they belong solely to
Square.
"Richard?" she gasped in confusion, still holding her tender side.
"Who the hell else would I be, Renee?" he spat back, grabbing her
arm. "Let me put it this way, I don’t care. I don’t honestly care
what happens to you, personally, I don’t even care what happens
to Ally, but I need her. I can’t look like the good family
man without my dear, sweet little girl. The people of this town, and of course
the council, are going to feel sorry for the poor single father after
his wife dies. Oh, that’s right, you’ve had your little
illness for too long now, seems like it’s going to take a turn
for the worse."
"Illness, dies?" she questioned.
"Do you honestly think that I could have made it this far without some kind
of cover story? What you want me to tell the public that my wife is a psychotic
murderer? You don’t think you can just seduce me one night, get pregnant,
and take me for a fool. I’m not like everyone else living in
this god-forsaken town; I actually can read the newspaper. I had to
tell those people some reason they never saw you. So you mysteriously
became very ill after the wedding. Now they all pity my situation, and will
do anything I ask. That’s the irony of this little situation,
my dear wife. You thought you were playing me when, in fact, I was the one
playing you."
She said nothing, just watched the man in front of her. Man, this was no
man; he was just a beast like the rest of them. If ever she had wanted to
kill someone in cold blood, this would fall under the correct circumstances.
"Cute Renee, very cute – then again you always have been, Renee?
As I see it, after I find Ally I’ll have all the power I could possible
want; because you’ll do anything to keep her from harm; even if that
means using your power?" He grabbed her free arm and threw her down
onto the bed. "You turned yourself into a little whore that first night,
one more fuck for old time sake." He managed to grab her, holding both arms
in one hand, while the other ripped at the buttons on her shirt.
For some time the will to fight within her was gone, before it was the safety
of Ally in the next room. She remembered that first night with Richard way
too well, and the guilt that still tormented her soul to this day. Yes, she
had indeed been calculating that night. The one thing she hadn’t thought
in all her planning was a name; of course that was the first thing Richard
had asked the shy girl outside the restaurant. She had started speaking
"Rin… Renee, Renee Davidson." Sad, the last name she came up with was
actually from the billboard advertising the nightly news anchors. She had
been running for almost a week at that time, needed food, and shelter badly,
badly enough to sell her soul and body.
Allison, her little Ally, she had to find her before Richard or his men did.
Even if that meant risking herself out there, in a world, she hadn’t
been a part of for two years, but anything would be better then in here.
Everything, every emotion was coming back to her now. She for the first time
in so long remembered who she was; the cloudiness in her mind was clearing.
Richard attention had now turned, attempting to undo her jeans; she looked
at him and smiled callously. He stopped at her sudden change of attitude,
fearing the look on her face, and his now sudden loss of control of the
situation.
A blinding white light filled the room; Richard felt a sudden tightening
in his chest. Realizing the tight grip he held her, he rolled to his back,
holding his hand over his heart. She got up and started buttoning her shirt
and jeans. Looking over the man on the bed, she reached into his back pocket
and pulled out his wallet, stuffing the contents into her pants; then looked
him strait in the eye. "Hi, I don’t think we have been properly introduced;
my name is Rinoa Heartilly. Guess what, I’m a sorceress, but
don’t worry I’m not going to kill you. You’ll just be out
of commission for a couple days. But if you ever think of touching Allison
or me again, you won’t be so lucky. Nice meeting you, thanks for the
room and board for the past two years" Rinoa took a deep breath and walked
to the door, SeeD was still downstairs and getting caught really wouldn’t
help the situation right now…
*****
Four hours had since past, Squall sat leaning back in his over-sized desk
chair. For the first time in ages, even work could not keep him out of his
secluded world. His mind kept racing with events, circumstances, and individuals;
some of which he tried desperately to forget. Earlier events of the day still
plagued his mind, he had never wanted to hurt Quistis, but it was a decision
made long ago, and one he tried not to reflect on. Hell, if he had it his
way, he would have never been married, or touched another woman again. But
some decisions were not his to make. Other lives were at stake.
It had happened modestly enough, working in his office one afternoon. Cid
had been working in Deling, trying to help with the establishment of the
World Council, something in Squall’s personal opinion, only created
to destroy Rinoa. Cid ventured to Garden one day and told of Mitchell’s
run for president, and his unfounded desire to chair the council. According
to polls, there would no way Mitchell could lose; people loved how he had
risen past the sorceress control and his intent commitment to locate her.
His only other competition would have been General Caraway; circumstances
had taken Caraway quickly out of the race.
One of Mitchell’s greatest concerns, according to Cid that evening,
was about Squall being commander of the strongest and most well trained Garden.
Squall had a personal stake in finding the sorceress; it was well known they
had been involved. Cid had suggested, more like ordered, Squall
to find someone to ease the conscious of the public, and mainly Mitchell.
Doing so would imply that he had moved on, there by leaving his commission
intact, thus allowing him to oversee any or all, attempts made to find the
sorceress.
Looking back on the situation Squall came to the realization he would have
done about anything to ensure his position as Commander, moreover to ensure
the locating of the sorceress. After two years Rinoa still lay first on his
mind, her safety and her well-being; even though, she might have never have
returned the feelings.
Quistis, though, was entirely different situation. He used her love to his
advantage, and for that, he felt remorse. Ever since Rinoa moved to Garden,
the two girls had their differences. They were, in Squall’s opinion,
still acquaintances but only when the issue didn’t include him. Most
of the time, he thought, Rinoa was very protective of their relationship,
sometime to a point of aggravation to him and those nearest to them.
Now questions of her true intent entered his mind, dancing like flames
on his soul. If the possessiveness of the relationship was not love, what
in fact was it? Even after all the information, intelligence, and reports
he received about the Sorceress and Mitchell, something didn’t
feel right. He had to find the truth. He needed answers. The only
person with that ability, to put his conscious at ease, was Rinoa; even if
the answers she gave were not the ones he wanted to hear.
Squall again stared at the reports Seifer had given him earlier that day.
The official copy to the World Council and that the Garden had received seemed
identical to the human eye. Although the reports themselves were over twenty-five
pages, Squall could not see any noticeable difference between the accounts.
There was also a first draft contained in the folder for Seifer, it too seemed
no different then the others. Squall reached for the scanner and started
to put both copies into the computer; word for word, comparisons would take
only a few seconds after the data had been entered. He sat still memorized
at the flicker of the monitor, for a brief second his thoughts turned back
to Quistis and her well-being at this moment. His feelings were interpreted
by a knock on the door.
"Commander, can I come in a minute," the voice sounded hesitant.
Squall knew the voice immediately as that of Zell, this was probably going
to be one of those Quistis-related-issues he couldn’t even think of
facing right now. Against his better judgment, he instructed the martial
artist to enter, hoping that what ever he had to say would be quickly over,
although with Zell that would be a miracle.
The young man entered the room holding what appeared to be, at one time,
a meatball sub. Zell walked over to the desk as he was finishing the remains
of the sandwich, followed by the traditional wiping-of-the-hands on pants.
He took a seat in the chair opposite Squall’s desk and half-heartily
started looking at the mess of paper work that was sprawled upon the desk.
"Do you actually want something?" Squall asked his gruff voice augmented
with irritation.
Zell picked up a piece of paper from the commander’s desk and started
skimming it, "Yeah, I was just here to inform you that Laguna arrived by
helicopter. He is being escorted to his room, but of course he asked to see
his son."
Squall glared at the piece of paper in the young operates hand, "You do realize
that is confidential, don’t you? I could dismiss you from Garden for
even glancing at it." Squall stood up and quickly yanked the dissertation
away from Zell, "If that is all you have to say, dismissed."
Zell gave the commander a cross look and stood up to leave. At that moment,
Squalls computer sounded, it had done the cross-comparison between the original
document and the second draft. There were only three words that were different
in the entire report.
"Covered with blood?" Zell turned around quickly facing the
commander, as he had started to walk out the door.
Squall stared at the younger boy for a moment, "What the hell did you just
say?"
Zell took a step closer to the commander’s desk, "Well, yeah I was
technically reading that piece of paper that I wasn’t supposed
to see. It stated Rinoa ran from garden, covered in blood."
Squall glared at the man then turned his attention back to the computer screen,
which was at an angle impossible for Zell to read. It also displayed the
three words Zell just said, covered with blood. He could only look
at the light-hair man, unable to form a thought at how bizarre that coincidence
was.
Zell started speaking when his commander didn’t seem to understand his
sudden outburst. "Squall it’s just that I actually saw Rinoa as she
was leaving Garden, as the Galbadian troops were chasing her. She was far
out-numbered, more importantly; she had this look of…. Well I don’t
know exactly, she looked scared, horrified at the situation. I was actually
on my way to help her, when I too, was cut off by another group of soldiers.
I wasn’t that far from her, maybe fifteen feet at best. One thing that
I can tell you, she had no blood on her at all. I was actually looking to
verify they hadn’t injured her."
Squall still looked at the computer; ultimately speaking, "That was added
on the final copy, it’s not on the original draft."
"Why would anyone add that on the second draft if it wasn’t true, it
almost seems like that would make it look like she was hurt or had killed
somebody at close…" Zell stopped at his own comment. "Ah, sorry about
that Squall, sure it’s no big deal."
"Zell, I’m asking you as a commander and as a friend. Are you positive
Rinoa had no blood on her?" Squall
asked intently searching Zell’s eyes for a response.
"Yes, Squall. I would bet my life on it. As my word as a SeeD, Rinoa had
no blood on her. Why is this so important anyhow?"
Squall leaned back in his chair trying to figure it out himself, "Because
it is a direct quote from a SeeD, which was apparently added later on."
Zell nodded with understanding; not pushing the subject, any further. He
started to leave the office yet again, then a flash of lightening struck
outside; Zell was almost hypnotically pulled back to his dream, which had
so often been plaguing him; the vivid image of Rinoa standing on the lake
of blood, yet mysteriously without any on her. The words of the report etched
into his mind, covered with blood. He seemed to understand something
within himself, within the corners of his dream. Before he closed the door
to Squall’s office, he turned back to the commander.
"Squall, don’t ask me how I know anything; I’m not even sure. But
I feel that statement is very important, whoever said that is
lying."
Squall didn’t reply as Zell closed the door; he gathered up the papers
in the folder and began the process to shut down the computer.
*****
Quistis had been walking for what had seemed hours; she finally ended up
on the Balamb beach. Taking her shoes off the lonely instructor let the sand
play between her bare toes. Irrevocably, when she felt she could walk no
longer; she collapsed to the sand below. Waves would come and hit her legs,
each time seeming to rise. The foam of the water was mesmerizing, little
whirlpools would form around her; she wished they were just large enough
to drag her under treacherous surf. Once in awhile Quistis would attempt
to pull her salt-covered hair out of her eyes, mostly she just let it cling
to her pale face; feeling the stinging pain from the salty water, made the
pain in her heart not as great. The tears were almost gone now, there does
come a point when crying becomes unachievable.
"You know if you stay in the water like that you could catch pneumonia,"
a low voice avowed from behind her.
She knew the voice, she had known it most of her life, although the pitch
had changed over many a year. "Seifer, not now, please."
Ignoring her request, he sat beside her, drenching himself in the ocean surf.
"I don’t know why I’m here or how I got to this point,
either. The last few years have been no more then a blur."
"You don’t understand what I’m going through, Mr. Almasy." She
acknowledged, although not telling him to leave this time.
"I bet you would be amazed at how similar our situations are, Instructor.
Right now, you’re looking out to the endless ocean contemplating your
entire existence; although, taking your own life is not even crossing your
mind. It is a scary thought to be alone, in life and in death. You’re
wishing right now that you could take the last two years back. I, myself,
wish I could take back the last five and half."
"Least you didn’t fall in love with someone who never could love you."
She quietly said not taking her eyes of the impending sunset.
"Didn’t I? Seems to me I fell in love with a conception, an idea so
mind-boggling to this day; I can’t believe I fell for it. I fell in
love with a sorceress, or her power more like it, not even of this
time. How well do you think that relationship could work out?” Seifer
replied still looking at the soaking wet instructor.
"I married him. The ironic part of the situation is I knew he didn’t
love me; I figured if he was with me that would be good enough."
"We always want what we can’t have, it’s human nature. You saw
a chance to make your dreams come true, then when you got what you wanted
it was not what you dreamed. I know."
"I just pictured us living a happy life, he would eventually forget about
her and I would be there when he did."
"Quistis I’m sorry, but he is never going to forget Rinoa. There is
a bond there that cannot ever be broken, no matter how much time has past.
Hell, it will last beyond this lifetime into the next. The best you can do
is count the losses now, show him that you are stronger then he could ever
imagine."
Quistis looked to Seifer for the first time, "Do you think she killed Ellone?"
Seifer curved his gaze from her as if searching for answers from the
breath-taking vista. "No, I don’t. I loved her once and don’t believe
she is capable; I also speak as a former-knight, the power of a sorceress
can only be corrupted if that was her desire. Rinoa would have nothing to
gain by killing Ellone, only everything to lose."
"Where do you think she is right now, Seifer?" Quistis asked with almost
a tinge of sorrow in her voice.
"I think she is scared, hiding probably. I mean even I watched Squall…
on the television as he announced
the hunt for the sorceress; he showed no emotion toward her. He basically
gave anyone the right to shoot on sight; she thinks there is nothing here
for her."
Quistis looked down to the beach and attempted to trace circles in the sand
with her index finger, only to have the waves wash all attempts away, "How
do you live with what you have done, how do you face the consequences?"
Seifer restored his gaze to her, endeavoring to figure out exactly what she
meant by the statement; it almost seemed out of context. "I haven’t
yet; I believe I’m trying to redeem myself now. I just hope it is not
too late. Quite frankly, I don’t trust President Mitchell; I honestly
believe Squall might be my last hope for redemption."
Neither said another word and just continued to watch the sun set below the
threatening, foreboding waves.
*****
Quistis walked down the halls of Balamb Garden, it was almost midnight now.
Hours had passed after she left Seifer sitting on the beach, without a word
she walked away from him. Not once had she actually thought of arresting
him, he essentially had been a comfort. After she left the waterfront, she
continued walking for another couple of hours, and then realized she had
actually missed the Garden’s departure. For a fleeting moment, she wondered
if Squall would wait for her, or if he even showed any concern on her
disappearance. Alas, when she returned to the dock it was bare. She had no
money on her and tried calling Selphie, collect at that, to wire her funds
to hire transport to Deling. After all attempts had failed, she noticed by
chance an Estharian helicopter and quickly raced toward the flying instrument.
At that point, she wasn’t sure if it was a blessing or an omen that
the helicopter was that of her father-in-law. Benevolently, her transportation
problems would be solved for the moment. It was an awkward trip, Laguna
constantly asking about the condition of his son; Quistis just wanted the
older man to be quiet. Conclusively, Laguna got the hint and the rest of
the trip was made in silence.
Now she found herself back at her room, her and Squall’s room. When
she opened the door, the only light present emitted from the moonlight filtering
through the curtains. Taking her jacket off Quistis walked the span of the
living room over to the light switch, flipping it on. She jumped at the sight
of a man sitting serenely in a lone chair. Squall looked almost infuriated,
a look she was trying to interpret given their current situation. "Squall,
I thought I told you to stay away from me," Quistis spoke not really in
resentment.
He got up out of the chair, throwing a thick folder down to the table. His
eyes met hers, staring intensely to her soul. "You lied," was all he could
say…
.