[Name]

Away from Home, Part 20 (first half)

Auron 

You whirled around to find Auron standing in the doorway.  Before you could react, he used the broad side of his sword to knock you to the floor.

"Auron, don't!"  You cried as your body began to register the impact of your fall.  The folder in your hand had also fallen and the papers were scattered across the floor.  A hollow chuckle was heard before he hit you again with the sword.  

"Don't worry, Rufus doesn't want that pretty face of yours getting ruined.  So I'll just hit you around for a bit."

"Oh man, he's toying with me.  It's like some sick game of cat and mouse.  There has to be some way to get through to him." 

"Auron!  It's me, [Name]!"  Another hit.  Your cheek hit the cold tile floor.

"I know who you are," he snarled.

"You told me what really happened to your eye.  Then you said you lie about it most of the time to seem tougher.  You lie and say it was from a knife fight with a gang leader when it was you actually got it from a cooking accident.  Your favorite color is red, you like to wake up at dawn, and you've always wanted to help others no matter what!"  You said frantically as you screwed your eyes shut.  To be honest, you don't know what you were doing.  Maybe you could get Auron to break the trance if you made him realize who he really is.

You heard footsteps approach where you lay.  Then silence.

"[Name]?"  You looked up to find him staring at you looking perplexed.

"What-?  Ugh, my head is killing me," he said as he closed his eyes and put his palm to his forehead.  Suddenly, his eyelids flew open and he quickly helped you to your feet.

"I can't believe I did that.  How hurt are you?  Are you alright?"  He continued to question you as he looked to assess the damage done to you.

"No, no.  It's fine.  I'm fine," you said as you waved him away.

"No, it-" he began to protest.

"Auron, Rufus had you and pretty much everyone on this island under some sort of mind-control.  Believe me, what you did was in no way your fault."  He sighed and looked at the floor.  You weren't sure he was entirely convinced.

"How do we stop him?"  He asked looking up at you.

"Uh, well there was this folder that said how to do it.  But it kind of..."  You gestured to the mess of papers that were spread across the ground.

"But don't worry!  I'm pretty sure I remember what the papers said."  You tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"We both know we're in deep shit." 

"Auron, come on!  We have to stop Rufus!"  The man continued to run down the maze of hallways with your hand in his.

"There is no way I'm letting you face that maniac.  Especially if you're not positive how to stop him."  You opened your mouth to protest, but Auron stopped you.

"[Name], the best thing we can do is to just run."

"How can you expect to run from me when I'm already here?"  A man said in a flat voice.  Slowly, you and Auron turned around to see Rufus Shinra standing at the end of the hall you were in.  Behind him stood about a dozen guards who were all armed.  Some even had attack dogs on a leash.  Faster than Rufus could put on one of his famous smirks, you and Auron were running for your lives.  After turning down about a million different hallways, Auron pulled you into a supply closet.  You took a moment to catch your breath before assessing the situation.