Hmmm... so this was kind of an experimental piece. I wanted to try writing something from Cloud's POV, when he had Mako poisoning. Turned out pretty... interesting. I'm still not sure whether I like it or not. -laughs-
Clouded Eyes
My body… why can't I move?
It's warm here. Like I'm flying. Is flying warm? Am I flying?
No, I'm not. I can't move. It's heavy, and I'm falling…
"Cloud-"
Zack?
Zack? Where am I? It's… cold now, Zack. Why is it cold?
My head's spinning. I can't see. Lips. Tongue. Dry. My mouth is numb.
Floating? Moving. My feet are dragging. Have to hold myself up. Walk. Just keep walking. Who's arm is that… Zack? It's warm again. That's you, right? Muffled noise. I can't hear you.
Not moving anymore. Words again. Speak up. Speak up, I can't…
"…It's a little big…"
Floating again. No, sitting up. No, no, let me do it. I can dress myself…
"Looks good on you."
I want to see. Just black. My eyes are heavy.
"…Cloud, I have to go to Midgar. You want to come with?"
Too tired. My eyes are so heavy…
(break)
Cold. Rushing air. What's going on?
It's noisy. But my eyes are less heavy. Everything's blurred. Gray and brown and blue. Moving too fast… I'm going to be sick. Where's Zack?
We've stopped. Zack? No, someone else… bright red. More than one. Is that Zack? What are they doing to him? Leave him…
(break)
Green everywhere. Too bright. Did I fall asleep?
"This is Gongaga!"
Gongaga… like Nibelheim?
There's no more noise. Did he leave? No. Wait here. He said to wait.
How long do I have to wait?
Footsteps. Too many. Not Zack. I have to stay here. Let go of me, he told me to wait. Zack's voice. No, no, let me go…
"Cloud, run away!"
White… wings? Something sharp. Pain. My side hurts. Zack's face. Why does he look like that? Angry? Are you angry at me, Zack…?
Gentle arms this time. Carrying me away.
(break)
"…Look after Cloud for me?"
Who? The white wings? My mouth is still numb. I can't ask.
There's someone else here. I can't move to see them. I can hear them breathing. They're hurt. Sounds like they're dying. I need to help them…
My body still won't move. How long has it been? I can almost see again… my legs. Why am I wearing Zack's clothes? Not his, just like his. Ants on the ground. Green grass.
There's something white on the ground… a feather next to something. My hand? My finger twitches. The feather's gone.
Loud noises. Lots of people. ShinRa. Their boots are blurry around the edges, getting closer. They're wearing my clothes. Lots of me.
White wings? No, silver body, not black. But the wings are there. Gunshots. Dust everywhere. Let me fight. I can fight now. There's too much red. To much… blood? Is Zack there? Is he hurt? I have to…
(break)
It's a Dumbapple.
(break)
Keep talking to me. Keep me awake. I can't answer yet, but soon…
(break)
We're walking again. He's walking, still carrying me. Dust in my nose, and the scent of blood. I can see the sky now… and his face. Zack smiling, not looking at me, but talking at me. Talking to me. My throat… I need water. His voice sounds dry too. How long has it been since we ate? I remember Dumbapple cores littering the dirt road.
Something loud. Zack stops and tenses, tightens his grip on me. Ready to drag me to safety, then he laughs and smiles. Waves.
A bright blue truck. Someone leans out of the window, and I can't see his face, but he must be friendly. They're talking. I wish I could tell what they were saying. It's frustrating.
Zack's sitting next to me. We're sitting and still moving and I can still see him. His face coming into focus… black hair blowing in the wind, it's gotten longer than I remember. But his eyes are the same. Keep talking to me… smile at me… if I can see you I'll be better soon…
He talks, and I can almost hear what he's saying. The words are separating themselves, no longer mixed up in my mind.
"I'm just joking. I'd never abandon you! We're friends, right?"
His hand reaches out and ruffles my hair. I'm not a kid anymore, but… it feels nice.
We sit in silence. The truck drives, and it's hot, but the wind is cool against my skin. Every now and then I feel him brush against my arm or my shoulder. I want to sleep. Fall asleep in his lap where it's safe and when I wake up I'll see his face again, and hear his voice again…
Gunshot. Panic. The truck pulls over, and Zack lifts me out. He's taking me somewhere, and I can hear the bullets flying past us. I don't understand why. Why are they firing at us? Why do they want to hurt Zack?
I know what he's going to do. I want to tell him no, don't put me down, don't hide me, I'll fight with you. Stop. Stop. Stop. Ruffles my hair again. Quit treating me like a little kid… don't smile like that… please…
Don't abandon me.
He stands. Turns and walks away.
I reach for him.
Zack.
Zack.
Zack.
Zack…
The words won't come.
(break)
If only he had looked back.
Reviews and critique give a starving art student something to live for! :D (Also, you'll get a cookie.)