Last Chance for Redemption part 1

It was midnight in the city of Midgar; the lampposts were shining their light on the deserted sidewalk. Only one figure was out in the pitch-black night. The lone person walked silently on that loathsome sidewalk, and he liked it that way. Vincent Valentine liked the peace and quite that the night brings, as he walked his mind ventured on a path that he preferred it not to go down. That path brings back the memory that has haunted him from long ago. He stopped by the train station, which was near the place called Sector 7 Slums - which for the past year has been cleaned up. Vincent sat on the bench and leaned back, his mind firmly fixed on what he once was a place and time he wish he could forget.

Why can't I forget you...? Why do you torture me..? Why can't I move on...? Why must I feel this way, every time I think of us..? Why am I forbidden to erase that day and memory...Why...Why...?

He sat there, for how long? No one could say for sure, not even himself. Vincent slowly got up and headed for the hotel he was staying in, the hotel was owned by Cloud Strife and Tifa Lockheart, called rightfully 7th Haven Revisited. Since his apartment was destroyed, they offered him a room there. The hotel doors squeaked opened, and behind the desk was Tifa. As she turned around and noticed Vincent walk in, she just nodded and smiled; Vincent didn't even glance her way, he just walked up the stairs, went into his room, and gently closed the door behind him. Cloud walked out of the side door and looked up the stairs as the door closed.

"I guess that was Vincent." He said casually as he glanced up at the clock on the wall, and noticed the time. "Yep, it's time for him to get back from his walk. Today's was longer than usually." Cloud said as he turned to Tifa. Cloud stretched and stifled a yawn.

"Well good night Tifa, see you later."

"Good night Cloud."

As Cloud's door closed, Tifa finished up her paperwork from behind the desk. She made sure that all the keys were on their appropriate hooks; the logbook was open ready for the guests to sign. What a day. She said to herself. Today has been one of their busiest. Tifa started to think about their other friends: Barret, Marla, Red XIII - or Nanki, Yuffie - where they are now and what were they doing. She sighed and yawned, Tifa waited until the new receptionist came that her and Cloud hired for nights. The receptionist wasn't all that friendly, but it's all they could find to work the long nights, Cloud hoped that with a little more experience she'll lighten up a bit. So far no change in her attitude, and Tifa began to worry about it - if she doesn't try harder in being nice - they'll start losing business and after all the hard work that Cloud and her put into remaking this place. Then right on time, she walked in and quickly took off her coat. She went behind the desk, put her coat on the chair, and sat down.

"Good evening Diane."

"Yeah whatever..."

"Please try to act nice, you represent Cloud and I at night."

Diane nodded her head, brought out a book from the coat pocket and started reading it. Tifa sighed and walked to Cloud's and her room.

"Good night." Tifa said to Diane, and she acknowledged with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Lately I've been trying
To fill up my days since you're gone
The speed of love is blinding)

Vincent lay on his bed, resting his head on his metallic arm, and stared up at the ceiling. His mind was still in the past, when he was actually happy. His ruby eyes sparkled slightly from the light coming in from the open window in his room. As he closed his eyes, the last word he silently uttered in his dark room, before he went to sleep, was a word he said often back then... Lucrecia.

And I didn't know how to hold on
My mind won't clear)

Something awoke Vincent from his troubled sleep, like that of a familiar voice whispering in his ear. He sat up in bed and look towards the window. The cool breeze came in slowly, as he got up and walked to the open window. The wind gently tossed his long, bangs from his face. There on the breeze, was the familiar scent he knew well.

(I'm out of tears
My heart's got no room left inside.)

The night beckons Vincent out of his room again. He can never refuse its callings: Vincent and the night are one. Mysterious in all their ways, even their beginnings are the same; or so the way Vincent wants to believe. He tore across the rooftops like the wind itself. His footsteps are so silent, that it doesn't disturb the houses occupants.

(Will the arms of hope surround me?
Will time be a fair-weather friend?)

Vincent feels free in the night as if nothing could hurt him. Cracks of thunder sounds which signals, the rain is about to come.

(Should I call out to angels?
I can't hide its true)

Even as the rain starts to fall, he never lost his balance or footing. Vincent's whole body is in a solid motion, blending in with the rain.

(I still burn for you
Your memory just won't let me go)

His mind stayed firmly fixed in the past, it has been thirty - one years since that day happened and he had been asleep for thirty of those.

Maybe those days has finally caught up with me. Why does she always stay with me? She has been dead thirty-one years, why does she still haunt me so? Is it because I still love her?

Vincent's mind went in circles, and the rain felt refreshing like he was starting anew... but something else was bothering him. Something he can't put his finger on.

Why do I even bother. As he approached the last house of the block, he quickly jumped over the street below and landed on the next rooftop - and continued as if nothing happened. Lucrecia.... why? Why do I feel like this? I will always have a hole in my heart where you once filled it... Vincent searched for a reason that he might be plagued more often by these memories.

Now I remember. This is the week that I lost you forever. The week my whole world and everything I knew, turned upside down. No matter how many years will pass, I will never forget the first woman I loved.

If only he could change that day.

(I'd hold you tighter,)

Or did something different in that time.

(Closer than ever before.)

Would his life be different now?

(No flame would burn brighter!)

Or would it still be the same?

(If I could touch you once more,)

No one could say for sure, not even Vincent himself.

Through the sheets of rain, two figures stood near each other, seeming to be parting ways.

"Well I guess I'll see you later, Miss Lucrecia." The man commented. The other person wore a white coat with the hood up, nodded.

(How many dreams will end?
How long can I pretend?)

"Yes sir, and thank you sir. I'll bring back any research I find. Good night."

(How many times will love pass me by?
Until I find you again?)

Judging from the voice, it was obviously a woman. She turned around, having a notebook under her arms; she walked at a brisk pace down the street seeming not to notice what was going on. She continued to walk, blissfully ignorant, thinking of what she could accomplish in Midgar. When she spoke, Vincent slid to a halt. That voice. Could it be? ....

"Lucrecia?" he whispered.

('Till I find you again...)

He shook his head and dismissed it as an illusion. Vincent continued his nightly run, but stopped again as he heard the soft footsteps on the wet blacktop. That couldn't be her, could it? He looked down, and there she was! Plain as day! A young woman with brown hair, which is slightly showing under her white hooded cloak and even that walk, the coat, even the smell of the woman's perfume. No it can't be!!!! She died in my arms!! Didn't she? But it's her! I'd recognize her in a crowd of people! But... but...Vincent's head started to spin out of control. Is it another illusion?