Just Focus (FFXIII)

9) Deeper and Darker

~6 years before~

Gasping for air, I sprint around the corner, my heart racing in my chest. The jeers of dozens of children cause the tears that drip from my eyes to my chin. A short scream stings my throat as a hand presses into my shoulder blade and sends me sprawling into the dirt face first. I roll over and raise my hands to protect my face; I'm not quick enough. A little boy's fist hits me square in the eye, his other hand clutching the collar of my shirt. I kick at him, trying to squirm free. Someone else kicks me in the side. I scream again, spitting into the boy's face and shoving him off when he lets go to wipe his cheek.

I scramble to my feet, winded, and run as fast as I can to the only place I know I can find safety: my home. I look back to see that the boy and two of his friends are hot on my heels. My heart skips a beat and I make a sharp left turn into my neighborhood. An old man stops mowing his lawn to watch the three of us run by. I suppose he thinks we're only playing despite the tears staining my cheeks and the blood dripping from my nose. Shouting for help, I bang my fist on my front door and watch my pursuers come closer and closer. Suddenly, the door swings inward and Cid's standing there expectantly. The second he pieces the puzzle of my appearance together, he grips my arm and pushes me inside, stepping onto the porch as the children skid to a stop on our empty driveway.

"Hey! Get her back out here!" the boy demands.

"Go home," Cid says firmly, ignoring snickers of the other two kids. I peer around the corner of the doorframe. "Go, before I call the authorities."

"What, you gonna call the Guardian Corps on us?" the little boy snorts.

"I could," Cid shrugs. "I've got friends. Wouldn't be too hard to get them to take care of some spoiled brats." He's lying, I think with a sniffle. But they're too stupid to realize, aren't they? The boy looks back at his friends, another boy and a younger girl, and laughs, but he's hesitant. "But it might be easier to call your parents." At this, all their faces fall.

"No, don't!" the girls pleads. "I'm sorry, we were just having some fun!"

"Yeah!" shouts the other boy. "It's not our fault she's a crybaby!"

"Go home," Cid repeats patiently. The first boy, the leader, spits into the grass, rolls his eyes, and turns on his heels.

"C'mon, guys. She's gonna hide like a baby."

"Let's go get popsicles!"

"Oh, that sounds good!"

Cid heads back inside, not bothering to look at me as he strides past and enters the kitchen. Picking up a washcloth from a drawer, he runs cold water over the rough material before turning to face me finally. Silently, I walk over and wait before him, staring down at the smooth wooden floor. My face jerks upward when he pushes it up, roughly scrubbing the blood off my face. I wince, trying to pull away, but his hand's too strong.

"Stop moving," he commands sharply.

"It hurts!" I protest, lifting my hands to push his away. He pinches my wrists together, scowling down at me.

"This wouldn't have happened if you had run to begin with."

"What?" I frown, feeling my heart pick up speed.

"But you had to fight back, didn't you?" he continues sternly, his glare never leaving my face even when my gaze falls to the floor. "Amarhi?"

"They were beating up Kaley!" I shout, stomping my foot on the floor indignantly. "I just wanted to help!"

"What's going on?" Cassie asks, walking into the kitchen. Her smile falls upon seeing my face. "Amarhi!"