by Sean Fisher(a.k.a. Gemini_Bloodian)
The wind was howling, as the snow wept from the sky upon the city of Midgar. Vincent walked amongst the streets of Midgar, bearing a forlorn expression which seemed to comfort itself upon him. Vincent walked past an alley-way until he heard a faint voice calling out AVin...cent...@
Vincent turned to see whom it was. His entire body froze, and it wasn=t the embracement of the cold which had stopped him.
AAeris!@ Vincent called out as he ran to Aeris.
A scent had overwhelmed Aeris=s ,blood. He came closer to see what it emanated from, and gazed in horror as he discovered what it came from.
Aeris was covered in gunshot wounds.
Vincent ran immediately to Aeris=s side to secure her. They locked eyes, as Vincent held her fragilely in his arms.
AVin...Cent.@
APlease, Aeris, don=t speak. You must save you strength. We=ll get hel...@
Vincent was cut off by Aeris.
ANo, Vincent.@
ABut Aeris, if we don=t get these wounds treated for, you=ll.@
Aeris covered his mouth with her trigger and middle finger.
AI know Vincent, I know. But... as I=ve always said, everything happens for a reas..@ Aeris attempted to say as he took another sharp glimpse of pain. Vincent held her in a tighter embrace.
APlease Aeris, let me get help. I couldn=t live without you. I was once a beast, whom remorsed for the past. A beast who could never love. A beast who=s only friends were guilt and agony. But you showed compassion for me. You took pity on a dark soul. You nursed my rotting flesh. You taught me to never regret the past. It=s because of you I was able to love.@
AVincent, you didn=t need me for all those things. They were already there, you just kept them in the dark, for fear you might be hurt again.@
AYes, but they would have never come out, if you hadn=t touched it with your hand of healing.@
Aeris began to smile.
AAeris, your heart-warming smile, your soft touch, everything about you is another reason for me to keep what little humanity I bear. If not for you, I fear I would be the heartless killer I once had been.@
AYou wouldn=t allow that,Vincent. Your inner light which illuminates the darkness ever-so-faintly could never allow such a thing.@
AMy... Inner light? How could there ever be such a thing within me. The demon I bear is my soul. I am mearly the vessel in which it resides in. It pleasures in the very thought that each sin I bear, each life I=ve stolen, is enough to haunt me for the rest of eternity. How can such a monster, even deserve the title, human.@
AYou are wrong Vincent, your demons make you human.@
ABut, I don=t...@
AWe all have inner demons which weigh heavily on our heart. We try to conceal them, but they are always there, haunting us, waiting for the moment to hurt us most. Don=t you see? It=s only human to fail at containing our demons. But, of all the demons you bear, none is stronger than guilt.@
Vincent just sat there, trying to find himself in Aeris=s words.
AYou remorse for the past. You feel that because of what you=ve done, you must suffer for all eternity. But Vincent, that is not true. Darkness may of enraptured you, but you must remember that that darkness is part of you. It will seek to gain control of your mind and soul, It will take that away, which you hold so dear, so that all you are left with, are guilt and pain. Yet, if you have the courage to contain it, to stand up to it, it can never overcome your inner light.@
Vincent was now in tears at Aeris=s words.
Aeris used what little strength she had left, pulled herself up, and kissed Vincent.
Vincent, who was somewhat surprised, could only hope that this moment was to last forever.
Aeris collapsed into Vincent=s arms once again.
AVincent, please, walk away.@
Vincent, found it hard to let go of her, but he had somehow found the courage, to stand up, and begin to walk ever-so-slowly. He had nearly reached the end of the alley when he heard her speak:
AVincent, remember, never regret the past.@
Vincent could no longer bear this pain, as he began to run.
He stopped, when he suddenly heard a whisper in the wind:
AI love you, Vincent.@
Vincent, now in tears, quickly ran back to Aeris, hoping that he could tell her what he could never.
He ran through the darkness. His mind said that it was too late, but his heart wouldn=t allow him to believe it.
He reached the alley, where she lay, and stared blankly. He raced and fell to her side. He continued to rush his hands around her angel face, hoping there might be warmth there. But, they were colder that his steel claw.
He called out in pain as he held Aeris in his arms.
AI cannot bear this pain any longer. I only pray, the fates see it fit, to grant me blissful peace with you, if only for a moment.@
All sound seemed to end, except for one, loud, unmistakable sound.
The sound of a shotgun shell.
The End.