Hidden Identity (Book Two)-Complete

Year Five, Day Twenty-Seven

Aerith POV

Looking upon the desolate remains of the mining town of North Corel, I feel a sense of sadness come over me. ShinRa is responsible for the conditions of this town. The people, once coal miners, no longer have work due to the Mako reactors providing all the energy and fuel everywhere. They live in ramshackle houses and tents all around the broken down rail tracks.

As if to taunt them, the glistening, sparkling amusement park, Gold Saucer, looms high overhead much like the plates of Midgar. It is like putting salt in the wound of these people hardly making it by, living in the shadow of all that glory and fun and prosperity. ShinRa really is despicable.

"This is horrible," I hear Cress whisper as we walk through the cramped pathways. Piles of junk and garbage line either side of us in front of and in between the makeshift homes. "This is even worse than the slums of Midgar..."

"You've been there?" I ask her, surprised. I thought she told us that she never left the ShinRa building.

"I...I think so. Before I lost my memory..."

"So, you remember the Slums?"

"I think it was the Slums. I don't remember what Sector it was, though."

I nod. "Sector 5. Sam visited me at my home there once. We're pretty well off compared to some of the other Sectors. Not as much as Wall Market, though."

I noticed Cloud flinch at the mention of Sector 6, Wall Market. Cress notices it, too, and cocks her head. "Cloud isn't a fan of Wall Market, is he?"

Smiling, I whisper, "I'll tell you the story later. It's a good one."

"Please don't," Cloud says, looking back at her. "That is not a story she needs to hear."

"I may not need to hear it, but I do want to hear it," Cress replies, giving him a sweet, innocent smile.

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Cloud POV

Groaning, I lead the others onward. "There should be an inn at the Gold Saucer. We have so much gil from killing monsters on our way here that payment won't be a problem."

We reach the train station and stand, waiting, for the next train to take us up to the amusement park. The few other people on the platform give us a wide berth, whispering behind their hands. Unfortunately, with my Mako enhanced senses, I can still hear them plain as day,

"Look at those people over there. Aren't they strange?"

"They're armed, too. Are they mercenaries or something?"

"Look at that guy's huge sword. And his uniform, isn't that a SOLDIER uniform?"

"And one of them has a gun for an arm, why would anyone do that?"

"Freaks."

"They have a monster with them, too. See. That dog-thing with the flame-tipped tail."

"Maybe they're part of a circus."

Barret is closer to them, and I can tell he can hear them, too. His jaw tightens, and his big muscles tense. Red looks displeased as well. Cress has pulled her hood lower over her head, hugging herself.

I'm almost ready to go confront those jerks when the train pulls into the small station. Barret walks up to the door of the first car and says very loudly, "such nice people here. Didn't realize my hometown was home to a bunch of mudslinging assholes now. Sure is nice to know they appreciate how many monsters we've slain on our way here to protect their sorry hides."