Fade to Black
By Kris
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII.
Note: Revised; fixed contraction issues and updated language. Based on the original game, not Crisis Core.
Comments and critiques are welcome; favorites are much appreciated.
When the first bullet hit his only thought was: 'Oh, shit.'
His first action was to check Cloud, not even thinking about his wound. The comatose blonde was his priority, his mission, his reason for even making it this far. How long had it been since they first initially escaped? Zack didn't know. Keeping track of time was difficult on the run.
He pulled his friend from the bed of the truck and began to drag him to the cliff. When did all of it get so bad? Wasn't he supposed to have a bright future? Now he was fighting for it - his future as well as his comrade's. It shouldn't have happened this way.
Zack had meant to become a hero. Cloud only wanted to prove himself. Where was the justice? It wasn't as if they'd asked to be hunted down like dogs after escaping from horrifying torture. It wasn't supposed to be like this. . .
He set Cloud down and then stood up to face his attackers.
The second bullet threw him backwards. Zack definitely felt that one. He couldn't ignore the searing pain. Everything was fading and still his only thought was to get Cloud to Midgar. When he went to sit up, the troopers were upon him.
'Oh, gods,' he thought, 'I'm so sorry Cloud. . . I've failed.'
Zack never truly feared death, but now he seemed to cower in the face of it and his only reason was because it meant he couldn't keep his promise.
The sound was terrifyingly loud.
'Cloud, please forgive me. I'm so sor-'
Everything had faded to black. Zack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was his last.