Shadows in the Image of Men

AN: I own nothing in this story. Warning: Violence ahead. This is for RoxStar09. Please R&R.

The cool night breeze that slipped through the partially opened window did little to soothe the Turk sweating up a storm in his sleep. His mind replayed scenes of a past he wished he could forget but they were never finished...

He didn't remember his parents. To the nine year old Reno all he knew in the world was the shadowy confines of the orphanage and the screams that kept him up at nights. During the day, he was treated somewhat kind. He was never starved or beaten then.

But as darkness fell, things suddenly changed...

The red head was led along with other children into a cold stone room, video recording equipment set up and some orphanage workers standing around.

"Children, you've been called upon to perform a service for a few of our clients. They have certain...tendencies. In short, a few of you won't be leaving this room again." Before any of the assembled orphans could ask what the man meant by this, Reno and another child were pulled out under the semicircle of orange light.

It wasn't until years later that Reno realized they were making snuff films. But then all he cared about was surviving. That first night he was put under the flickering light and stared at the boy across from him, he didn't move.

"Kill each other," a woman's voice called out. Still neither boy moved. A cattle prod was smashed against Reno's head then and he was shocked by over 100 volts. Blue sparks illuminated the shadows of the room briefly and then faded. Reno was panting hard, some blood trickling from his mouth.

"Kill each other," the same woman called out.

Reno remembered punching the boy, pulling his hair, striking at every visible opening in a mad fury. Seeking any advantage so he wouldn't be injured like that ever again.

As he pounded the final punch into the boy's bloody and broken face, Reno looked into the blue slits that managed to stare out into the world through bruised and swollen eyelids.

"Finish it..."

Closing his eyes, Reno did as he was told...

He bolted out of bed, breathing erratic and harsh. Beside him, he felt a cool hand touch his shoulder.

"Another nightmare?" Reno turned to look at Tifa as she asked this, his eyes reflecting deep terror, at least for a moment. "Reno, you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

"I know Tifa..." Reno answered his girlfriend. But he didn't shove her away when she wrapped her arms around him. As he lay back down beside her, he moved as close as he could, praying that her presence would stop the memories from tormenting him, at least for the night.