Vagaries of Fate

Finding Clarissa

Chapter 43

The Second saluted before he spoke. "Sir, this man claims to be with Avalanche. He does match the description of one of the wanted fugitives, but he came in willingly. He has asked to speak to you."

Angeal moved to grab Genesis by the arm as he finally unfroze. Sephiroth barely spared them both a glance as he nodded to the Soldier. "Thank you. You may leave him with us."

There were several tense, silent moments after the Solder saluted and left. The silence was finally broken when Genesis jerked his arm out of Angeal's grasp and stalked forward. His voice was barely controlled when he spoke. "Where is Clarissa?"

Shears took a deep breath as he finally spoke. "That is why I came here. North of the ice fields on the Northern Continent, there are hundreds of miles of caves that are all interconnected. Fuhito has set up a mobile base within them. He is constantly moving, but I can show you the most used locations, and you can find her by the process of elimination."

The three boys gasped at that news, and Kadaj looked like he was about to speak. Sephiroth silenced them with a shake of his head. He knew what they were thinking, but it was something the enemy likely didn't yet, and he wanted to keep it that way. He immediately turned back to see Genesis had grabbed Shears and had him on his toes while he practically growled in the man's face.

His voice had become even colder than it had been when he spoke. "Why should we believe you? What have you done with her?"

Sephiroth and Angeal both moved to extricate the prisoner from their friend's grasp. Not that they weren't also angry, but they knew this wasn't the way to handle things. Not yet.

Once Genesis was back, despite his protests, Sephiroth turned to Shears with a glare. "Do not take this as disagreement with his questions. They are all valid."

Shears swallowed and looked away uncomfortably when he spoke. "It has been several weeks since I left, but she was alive and whole when I did. The things- I couldn't stay and watch what was happening, and I couldn't get us both out. This was the next best solution."

Shears then looked up, and Sephiroth had to take a step back at the fear and disgust in the other man's eyes as he continued. "I hadn't wanted to believe it, but Fuhito is crazy."

Despite Angeal's grasp, Genesis shot forward again. He had Shears pinned against the wall and was practically yelling. "What do you mean, you couldn't watch what happened!? What has he done to her?"

Shears looked terrified at Genesis's wrath, but it didn't last long before the disgust was back. "He-"

Sephiroth stepped in and cut him off before he could continue. "We can discuss that later. For now, we need to gather the men necessary to follow up on this lead."

Genesis shot the General a scathing look, but he didn't say anything when he saw the boys were watching the whole thing with rapt attention. He growled as he dropped the man and stepped back. Angeal quickly took his place and gave them both a nod as he took Shears by the arm. "While you figure out the details, I will go have Shears put in a holding cell. At least until we are ready to leave."

Sephiroth held up a hand to keep them from leaving right away. He then pinned Shears with a frown. "This conversation will continue once we are on the way. Also, I am sure it goes without saying, but in case you need it verified. Your life is forfeit if this is all a lie."

Shears swallowed once before he nodded. "I came here expecting that response. As long as you stop Fuhito, I will accept punishment for my part in this." That response surprised the General, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he nodded once, and Angeal took the man away.