Chapter 2: The Coming Of An End

Vincent opened his eyes, but the darkness remained.

CHAPTER 2: The Coming Of An End

Vincent stormed out of his mansion, ignoring the glances of passerbyes.

Even in broad daylight, Vincent's appearance would send a shiver into any man's spine.And if anyone stopped to stare for more than two seconds, he would throw them a glare that would quickly put them back on their way.

He slowed his pace as he neared Tifa's house. Gun in hand, he rapped his knuckles on the door.

No answer.

"Tifa," he knocked once more. "Are you home?"

He held his ear against the door, listening for any sign of life. Nothing.

But then something caught his eye.

On the side of Tifa's house, there were empty wine bottles littering the grass, among other debris. Tifa may have owned a bar, but not once could he remember her drinking anything. A bit odd, yes. But still….

Vincent entered the area cautiously, watching his step, trying to avoid the many shards of glass on the ground. He figured that previously contained more alcohol. When he leaned down to study one of the bottles, he saw an empty cylinder, but dismissed it. For the moment.

He went back to the front, and tried the door knob. It was unlocked, so he stepped inside, being careful not to make a sound. Save for the creaking of the floorboards beneath him he succeeded.

Passing through the kitchen, something caught his attention. On the top shelf, was a medicine container. Curiosity got the best of him and he plucked it off the shelf. His eyes widened when he read the label.

Anti-depressant?

Since when did Tifa take any kind of medication? She never mentioned anything about it, which Vincent thought was odd. Tifa never struck him as one to keep secrets. He found more capsules in a nearby cabinent. But the containers were different. His hand shaking,he read th label off of one of them.

Sleeping pills.

Vincent's blood ran cold. The alcohol, the pills, warning signs went off in his head. Tucking the slipping pills into his cloak, he went to look for Tifa.

Something was definitely wrong here.

***

He found Tifa alright, slumped into a chair. She seemed vacant, as if staring at something only she could see. Once aware of Vincent's approaching, she smiled softly. "Hey Vincent."

Assured of her safety, for now, he rested his gun on the kitchen table.

"Hello, Tifa." Like always, his voiced lacked emotion. Vincent took a seat across from Tifa, his eyes wandering.

"What's up?"

Vincent frowned. Tifa was obviously hiding something. The optimism was merely a façade, and he could see right through it. "I'm worried about you."

Tifa's brow furrowed. "Worried about me?" Worried about ME? Since when did anyone give a damn?

"Yes." He produced the pills he had uncovered earlier. "There's something you haven't been telling me."

The girl's hands seemed to tremble as she took them from his hand. She shook

her head. "So I have trouble sleeping, sometimes," she shrugged. "That's normal."

Vincent sighed. A rare show of emotion, even if it was annoyance. "Explain the alcohol. You never drank Tifa. At all. "

Her breath caught in her throat. "Are you saying I'm a drunk?"

"I'm not saying anything. Except that you need help. Tifa," He swallowed hard. "Let me help you. You just have to tell me what’s going on."

Tifa studied him for a few seconds before replying. His eyes had softened, and his stoic guise seemed to be fading. Vincent Valentine still had a soul after all. But still, she said, "No."

"No?" Dammit, why wouldn't she let him help??

Tifa was suddenly filled with boiling anger. She didn't know why. But she literally shouted at Vincent, taking him by surprise.

"Didn't you hear me?? I said NO!! Do you think that for once second I believe you? After a month you waltz right in here and the first words that come out of your mouth are "I'm worried about you." BULL!! Since when did you give a damn Vincent? Tell me!!

"Tifa, plea-"

"SHUT UP!! You're no different from Cloud!" She picked up the gun from the table and held it to her head. "Would you care if I killed myself?"

Tears began to fill her eyes. "Goodbye, Vin-"

"Tifa, NO!" He tackled her. The gun flew out of her grasp,and skidded to a halt across the room. Vincent stood up, but Tifa did not. She lay on her back, sobs racking her body.

"Why didn't you let me die…?"

He knelt down and helped her to her feet. "Because I…care about you Tifa. I don't want you to leave, I…" Her eyes were full of so much pain…

"I don't know who I am, Vincent." She said through tears. "Who am I?" She stumbled forward, and Vincent caught her. "Who am I…" She kept chanting, like a mantra.

Vincent could do nothing for her right now, except hold her. He ran his fingers through her hair, allowing her to rest her head on his chest.

And that's how they remained the rest of the night.

Home