Cloud Strife gets up from the corner he's been cowering in and sits on the bed, his hand over his blind eye

Rufus Shinra makes no acknowledgment that Cloud's there... just stays staring at the wall

Cloud Strife says, "I'm ... getting out of here... he ... I wont be normal ever again..."

Rufus Shinra says, "..."

Cloud Strife pulls at Rufus' chains slightly... trying to get them loose

Cloud Strife says, "Why am I trying to help you... you don't care..."

Rufus Shinra blinks out of his blank stare and turns his head to Cloud

Rufus Shinra says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "I can't get these undone...."

Rufus Shinra says, "done...."

Cloud Strife tugs at the chains futilely

Rufus Shinra blinks again slowly.... Seemingly watching Cloud

Cloud Strife sniffles

Cloud Strife says, "I don't want to lose my other eye..."

Rufus Shinra says, "eye..."

Cloud Strife says, "You're better when you're quiet...."

Rufus Shinra says, "..."

Cloud Strife says, "I've counted the days... in my head... its almost a month now"

Rufus Shinra sighs and hangs on his chains by his arms

Cloud Strife reaches under the mattress and brings out a small metal sliver. Begins to pick the locks on Rufus' chains

Cloud Strife says, "You caved in... real quick... so did I... but we're gonna get out"

Rufus Shinra hears the chain unlock... and go slack... dropping him to the bed

Rufus Shinra says, "out?"

Cloud Strife gently props Rufus up

Rufus Shinra turns his head to him

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... out.. the world... frankly if they catch me ... an kill me... it wont matter anymore... so why not try to get away?"

Rufus Shinra says, "away..."

Cloud Strife says, "I think... when I get out though... I'm just gonna find a nice spot... with trees and some grass... and just curl up and die..."

Rufus Shinra turns his head away from him... staring off into space again

Cloud Strife gets up and starts working on the door lock

Rufus Shinra blinks... turning his head slowly to watch him

Cloud Strife says, "even if we can't get out... you're getting a break huh? But you're so out of it you don't even know what I'm saying do you?"

Rufus Shinra cocks his head

Cloud Strife says, "Do you like being here.... I mean... you don't cry anymore"

Rufus Shinra says, "......"

Rufus Shinra curls himself up into a ball

Cloud Strife says, "I'm sorry... I'll just go back into my corner..."

Rufus Shinra says, ".............."

Cloud Strife goes back to his corner and draws his knees to his chest... then rests his forehead on them... looking down at the floor

Rufus Shinra rocks back and forth in his ball

Cloud Strife says, "I just wanna go home and see my mom again...."

Rufus Shinra says, "mom... don't..... have..... one"

Cloud Strife says, "You don't?"

Rufus Shinra says, "no...."

Cloud Strife says, "You can come and meet my mom... She wouldn't care... I wonder if she knows I'm gone.... I haven't written her"

Rufus Shinra rocks back and forth in his ball

Cloud Strife says, "I wonder if Im gonna live to see her"

Rufus Shinra says, "why?"

Cloud Strife says, "They are gonna kill us sooner or later.. when they tire of their toys"

Rufus Shinra says, "me?"

Cloud Strife says, "probably"

Rufus Shinra seems to get a whole change of manner and gets up from the bed... and walks into the bathroom

Cloud Strife says, "I can almost taste my mom's cooking... I wonder when was the last they fed me..."

Cloud Strife watches Rufus

Rufus Shinra shuts the door and rummages through the cabinets. breaks the mirror with a towel in his hand

Cloud Strife sniffle. gets up and opens the bathroom door

Rufus Shinra is trying to shred his arms with the glass

Cloud Strife kneels beside Rufus and takes the glass away from him

Cloud Strife says, "You want to leave me alone in this hell.... I don't blame you.... you don't care about me .... just yourself... but why should I expect you to?"

Rufus Shinra looks at him slowly.. blinking as the blood drinks down his arms

Rufus Shinra says, "care?"

Cloud Strife says, "No... you don't... "

Cloud Strife grabs a towel and wraps it around Rufus' arm to staunch the blood

Cloud Strife says, "For some pathetic reason I do"

Rufus Shinra sinks to his knees... the blood darkening the towel

Rufus Shinra says, "I don't know care"

Cloud Strife picks Rufus up and carries him back to the bed, then sets him on it

Rufus Shinra blinks slowly... looking up at Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "I should let you die... let you be free of this misery..... but I don't want to be alone"

Rufus Shinra says, "....."

Rufus Shinra sighs softly

Rufus Shinra says, "help..."

Cloud Strife says, "Help how?"

Rufus Shinra roles his head

Rufus Shinra says, "help..."

Cloud Strife sighs

Cloud Strife says, "Go head... die and leave me alone... you prolly don't even know I'm here right now"

Rufus Shinra says, "I do..."

Cloud Strife says, "oh... you do?"

Rufus Shinra says, "yes..."

Cloud Strife says, "If you're dying... I'm not gonna help you"

Rufus Shinra looks at him

Rufus Shinra says, "......."

Cloud Strife says, "Whatcha looking at me like that for?"

Rufus Shinra says, "mean?"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm gonna go sit in my corner now..."

Rufus Shinra says, "oh"

Cloud Strife sits down in his corner

Rufus Shinra sighs and stares off at nothing

Cloud Strife says, "you go back to staring at your wall I guess.... Im gonna think about my mom"

Rufus Shinra curls up... the towel coming off his arm in the process

Cloud Strife says, "When was the last time I ate?"

Cloud Strife gets up and fixes the towel on Rufus' arm

Cloud Strife says, "I'll... have to ask for food.... although I'll get beaten"

Rufus Shinra says, "Sephiroth?"

Cloud Strife says, "yeah..."

Rufus Shinra says, "what.... he ... do?"

Cloud Strife says, "He took away my eye... he rapes me nightly.... he will hurt me ... and soon kill me"

Rufus Shinra says, "how?"

Cloud Strife says, "Probably hurt me so bad I wont get better"

Rufus Shinra says, "what about... Zack?"

Cloud Strife says, "He has you..."

Rufus Shinra says, "I know... what... do.. you think ... he ... will do?"

Cloud Strife says, "Prolly kill you too... He does get violent"

Rufus Shinra looks at the blood soaked towel around his arm

Rufus Shinra says, "how?"

Cloud Strife says, "strangle you I guess"

Rufus Shinra closes his eyes

Rufus Shinra says, "it hurts when he does that"

Cloud Strife says, "Sephiroth bites.. and makes me do things that make me want to throw up"

Rufus Shinra says, "what he do?"

Cloud Strife says, "He puts himself inside my mouth"

Rufus Shinra says, "Zack does that too..."

Cloud Strife says, "makes me.... eat things I prefer not to talk about... and laughs when I retch"

Rufus Shinra says, "we going to die?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes..... they won't let us go"

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Cloud Strife sniffles and begins to sob

Rufus Shinra says, "my life never changes... it's always been bad..."

Cloud Strife says, "I wanna see my momma.... I don't wanna be here anymore....."

Rufus Shinra curls up tight and rocks himself

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Rufus and hugs him tightly... sobbing and needing something to hold on to

Rufus Shinra nestles into Cloud's arms... crying as well... and wanting to be held

Cloud Strife says, "I'll try my hardest to get us outta here.. then we can go back to my home... and be safe... "

Rufus Shinra says, "safe is such a thing?"

Cloud Strife sniffles... and wishes what he said was true

Cloud Strife says, "Far away..... we'll go far away... w here they won't look"

Rufus Shinra says, "no one?"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes... just you and me.... then we can die or live in peace as we choose"

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Rufus Shinra says, "I... I'm afraid"

Cloud Strife says, "Its okay.. I'm here..."

Rufus Shinra says, "you are?"

Cloud Strife hugs Rufus

Cloud Strife says, "what's left of me"

Rufus Shinra sniffles and pulls himself into Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife says, "What little I got left... I give to you... my service.. "

Rufus Shinra says, "I'm so sad..."

Cloud Strife says, "I know you are. I wish you wasn't so sad..."

Rufus Shinra says, "I've been used and abused my whole life..."

Cloud Strife says, "This is the first time I've been abused"

Rufus Shinra says, "my head feels funny...."

Cloud Strife says, "How so?"

Rufus Shinra says, "I'm gonna... pass out..."

Rufus Shinra does so on Cloud's chest

Cloud Strife says, "Are you dead?"

Cloud Strife holds Rufus

Rufus Shinra breathes slowly as he lies on Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "If you're going to die.... please be happy when you're dead.... I'll be alone... but you'll at least be safe and happy"

Rufus Shinra breathes slowly in and out

Cloud Strife makes Sure Rufus' arm is bandaged well and sighs

Rufus Shinra says, "......."

Cloud Strife strokes his fingers through Rufus' hair

Rufus Shinra moves a little in his sleep

Cloud Strife says, "Poor Rufus.... you don't like this ... I don't like this.... but I will hold your hand... and try to stay with it for you"

Rufus Shinra curls up... moving against Cloud's chest

Rufus Shinra says, "warm...."

Cloud Strife pulls a blanket around them

Cloud Strife . o O ( When they come home.... they will be angry )

Rufus Shinra keeps against Cloud's warm chest

Cloud Strife . o O ( They may even kill us... but it'd be best probably... we're both suffering. But he needs comfort... and I need to hold someone... someone who isn't gonna hurt me.... and be at peace for as long as I can )

Rufus Shinra says, "nice warm..."

Cloud Strife feels tears trickle down his face at the total hopelessness of his situation

Cloud Strife . o O ( Poor Rufus... is so broken.... he cant ... function right anymore.... all I can do for him is afford him this little comfort )

Rufus Shinra holds Cloud in his sleep... feeling protected in his embrace

Cloud Strife . o O ( You're as safe as I can make you right now... at least you are sleeping... and not crying )

Rufus Shinra breathes at a normal pace again

Cloud Strife holds Rufus tightly... crooning softly... but more so for himself than Rufus

Rufus Shinra smiles slightly in his sleep

Cloud Strife smiles... seeing that Rufus has finally cracked a slight smile... and cradles him gently

Rufus Shinra says, "mmm... so nice to feel safe"

Rufus Shinra snuggles close into Cloud

Cloud Strife sighs softly and drifts to sleep.... holding Rufus tightly

Rufus Shinra says, "zzzz"

Cloud Strife wakes up still holding Rufus

Rufus Shinra says, "zzzz"

Cloud Strife shakes Rufus gently

Rufus Shinra opens his eyes and looks up at him

Cloud Strife says, "They still aren't back"

Rufus Shinra says, "that's... odd. what are they usually doing to us about now?"

Cloud Strife says, "Hurting us any way possible. I want you to help me with the door"

Rufus Shinra nods

Cloud Strife says, "Let's... get a piece of furniture and ram it down"

Rufus Shinra nods. gets off the bed and grabs a chair

Rufus Shinra says, "this do?"

Cloud Strife says, "yeah.. lets try"

Cloud Strife wraps his fingers around the chair

Cloud Strife says, "now.... lets start bashing"

Rufus Shinra says, "ok"

Rufus Shinra helps Cloud with the chair

Cloud Strife starts to swing the chair at the door... bashing it mercilessly

Rufus Shinra feels the chair come apart in their hands... sending slivers into both palms

Cloud Strife says, "Ouch... lemme see your hands"

Rufus Shinra shows them to Cloud

Cloud Strife says, "Aww... you're bleeding. Here"

Rufus Shinra says, "chair broke..."

Cloud Strife pulls the splinters out and hastily wraps Rufus' hands with his shirt

Rufus Shinra looks at his hands

Rufus Shinra says, "we can't get out"

Rufus Shinra goes back and sits on the bed... looking down at the ground

Cloud Strife says, "I'll get us out"

Rufus Shinra looks back up at Cloud

Cloud Strife scans the room, then starts rummaging through drawers

Rufus Shinra says, "how?"

Cloud Strife says, "Don't know... but I will. Neither of us wants to be here... right?"

Rufus Shinra nods

Rufus Shinra says, "trapped though..."

Rufus Shinra curls up on his side

Cloud Strife says, "Not forever"

Rufus Shinra says, "how out?"

Cloud Strife says, "Don't worry... you're not alone"

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Rufus Shinra says, "always trapped"

Cloud Strife goes over to Rufus and puts his arms around him

Rufus Shinra snuggles into Cloud's arms... starting to cry softly

Rufus Shinra says, "I... I..."

Cloud Strife says, "Shh... I know you're scared and hurt... but it's not hopeless"

Rufus Shinra says, "I've had this my whole life"

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Rufus Shinra says, "my whole life..."

Cloud Strife rocks Rufus gently

Rufus Shinra pulls himself tightly against Cloud's chest.... Crying

Cloud Strife says, "Just relax.... I'm thinking.... We have water... so we won't die quickly"

Rufus Shinra looks at the bandage on his arm... spacing out again

Rufus Shinra says, "quickly..."

Cloud Strife says, "fixes Rufus' bandages"

Cloud Strife fixes Rufus' bandages

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Cloud Strife gets up and starts rummaging through the drawers again]

Rufus Shinra says, "where... where did you go?"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm right here"

Rufus Shinra cries

Cloud Strife says, "Now hey... im the one whose blind in one eye"

Rufus Shinra says, "blind... but you have something to escape to"

Cloud Strife says, "You're coming with me"

Rufus Shinra says, "where we going?"

Cloud Strife says, "Home. Nibelheim"

Rufus Shinra nods slowly

Rufus Shinra says, "how?"

Cloud Strife says, "Well... we'll find out"

Cloud Strife finds a screwdriver and sets about removing the hinges from the door

Cloud Strife says, "I think they stabbed me with this once"

Rufus Shinra says, "did they stab me?"

Cloud Strife says, "They probably did"

Cloud Strife has difficulty undoing the screws since he is blind in one eye

Rufus Shinra gets up from the bed and goes to Cloud

Rufus Shinra says, "hands hurt... can't move that"

Cloud Strife says, "Its okay... I can do it"

Cloud Strife gets the first set of hinges off

Rufus Shinra smiles slightly

Rufus Shinra says, "getting out..."

Cloud Strife says, "Yeah... just this set."

Cloud Strife starts working on the hinge

Rufus Shinra watches Cloud interested

Cloud Strife stands back and pushes Rufus out of the way as the door falls inward

Rufus Shinra watches the door fall next to him

Cloud Strife says, "look"

Rufus Shinra says, "we go?"

Rufus Shinra takes a step over the door

Cloud Strife says, "yea"

Cloud Strife takes one of Rufus' hands and leads him out the door

Rufus Shinra holds his hand and comes out ... blinking his eyes

Rufus Shinra says, "free?"

Cloud Strife says, "yes"

Cloud Strife looks around

Rufus Shinra says, "lead..."

Cloud Strife leads Rufus through the streets of Junon, until they reach the docks

Cloud Strife says, "We have to find a boat across"

Rufus Shinra says, "ok"

Rufus Shinra rests his head on Cloud's shoulder

Cloud Strife sneaks onto one of the boats, and finds a nice spot in a pile of old nets for them to rest

Rufus Shinra curls up in the nets

Cloud Strife says, "I'm gonna try and find us some food.... And decent clothes...."

Rufus Shinra nods

Rufus Shinra says, "be careful"

Rufus Shinra curls up some more and falls asleep

Cloud Strife goes off in search of some food

Rufus Shinra wakes up once Cloud comes back

Cloud Strife hands Rufus a uniform

Rufus Shinra puts it on

Rufus Shinra says, "food?"

Cloud Strife hands Rufus a half a can of beans

Cloud Strife says, "I ate the first part... "

Rufus Shinra eats them... almost eating the can with it

Rufus Shinra says, "thank you"

Rufus Shinra curls himself up on Cloud's lap

Rufus Shinra says, "safe.... Free...."

Cloud Strife says, "Now now... don't eat the can"

Rufus Shinra smiles and gives him the can

Rufus Shinra says, "sorry"

Cloud Strife says, "No its okay. I'll go get us some water later"

Rufus Shinra presses into Cloud's chest and sighs softly

Cloud Strife has a uniform on as well

Cloud Strife says, "we can move around a little on the ship and not worry"

Rufus Shinra nods

Rufus Shinra says, "I just want to stay where it is safe though"

Cloud Strife says, "I'm sorry for all Zack made me do to you"

Rufus Shinra says, "it's ok... I know"

Rufus Shinra starts to drift to sleep.... Feeling safe on Cloud's lap

Rufus Shinra says, "Cloud?"

Cloud Strife says, "Hmm?"

Rufus Shinra says, "are you going to hold me at all?"

Cloud Strife puts his arms around Rufus

Cloud Strife says, "sorry... I'm thinking"

Rufus Shinra smiles and pulls his head close to his chest

Rufus Shinra says, "about?"

Cloud Strife says, "About what we're gonna do together"

Rufus Shinra says, "and what is that?"

Cloud Strife says, "I dunno. You prolly wont wanna stay with me"

Rufus Shinra says, "be happy and free? Why?"

Cloud Strife says, "I dunno... you're important right?"

Rufus Shinra says, "they didn't notice I was gone for a month... and I don't want to be important"

Rufus Shinra sniffles

Rufus Shinra says, "I just want to be safe..."

Cloud Strife says, "Then stay with me..."

Rufus Shinra says, "I want to"

Cloud Strife says, "Good... we can help each other... "

Rufus Shinra smiles

Rufus Shinra says, "help good.... I slept well last night because you held me..."

Cloud Strife says, "I'll hold you every night"

Rufus Shinra smiles again

Rufus Shinra says, "I would like that"

Cloud Strife kisses Rufus' forehead

Rufus Shinra nuzzles Cloud's neck softly

Rufus Shinra says, "I think we should sleep a while"

Cloud Strife says, "Yes, we need to keep our strength"

Rufus Shinra pulls himself as close to Cloud as he can and drifts to sleep