Cries of Yesterday

Cries of Yesterday
A Grandia 2 fanfiction
Written by Krisa Kelly a.k.a. Scarlet Shaman © 2004

Chapter Seven


The bird flapped its wings as it soared gracefully through the air. He circled around before slowing and carefully perching himself on Ryudo's shoulder.

“What's the score?” Ryudo asked.

“The building is under tight surveillance, which means we have to be extra precautious, Ryudo. Roan has now been moved from the ground floor to the top floor -- the fourth. And I have also noticed that this red-haired man hardly leaves his side and if he does he locks the door behind him, even though Roan's arms are bound. I managed to explore the vicinity and the old staff's quarters are empty, which, I believe, are accessible through the cellar. So while the distraction is being made, Ryudo will be able to reach the window -- it's the second on the right around the back of the house.”

“Right, so the plan's sorted then? Will I be able to reach the window without being seen?” Ryudo asked.

“I was uncertain of this but I noticed that there is only one camera that reaches the right side around the back. If you can put the camera out of use you will just have to be wary of being seen scaling the building. I can help you there though, Ryudo.”

“Right! We've no time to waste at all. I don't want Roan to be there any longer than he already has. Is everyone understood and ready?”

Mareg and Elena nodded in unison. Ryudo replied with a curt nod and turned swiftly on his heel, a quick jog rapidly turning into a swift dash. All of them were equally eager to help the young teenager and determined not to return without Roan in their party.


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Crouching behind an unkempt bush, Ryudo waited patiently for Elena and Mareg to complete their task. He watched them run to the cellar and smiled when they made it safely but that smile soon disappeared from his face and replaced with a bitter frown, a steely glint in his eyes. He pushed any thoughts that could slow him down into the back of his mind, not letting anything deter him. But there was one thought that always managed to force its way past the others and capture his attention. What would Roan be like once they rescued him?

Ryudo closed his eyes and abruptly shook his head, willing the unwanted thought away. But it refused to leave him be and it, in a way, frightened him. He was determined that Roan would no longer be the happy, curious and strangely adult teenager that Ryudo travelled with. No matter how Ryudo wished it to be possible, he knew it was just a lie to relieve him of the guilt. Many people react differently to different situations and the Geohound needed to be fully aware of this. But whatever the outcome, Roan just needed to know that he had friends that were willing to help him. As long as Roan knew that, he would be fine … hopefully.

His head snapped up as he saw the man standing on the door turn hastily and rush into the building. 'That's my cue!'

He pushed himself up and dashed to the building, standing with his back pressed firmly against it, feeling the cold brick through his clothes. He watched the camera as it slowly rotated and began to move left to right. He waited and moved when it turned the opposite way from him, stopping under it and waiting once more for it to turn.

At the side of the house, Ryudo crouched and walked under the window, hearing frantic voices, “What was that noise?” “It must be the police!” “We're being raided!”

'Yes! Great one, guys!'

He dropped to his knees and searched the ground for a heavy rock. When he found it, he held it in the palm of his hand and wished that his throwing abilities were as precise as his sword. The second camera was camouflaged in the trees but Skye had warned him of it. 'No second chances this time, Ryudo. You miss and we're all screwed!' He felt the rough edges of the rock pinch gently at his skin. Ryudo lifted his arm and looked at the camera. At first he was unable to get it within his line of vision and Skye had to circle around it.

Ryudo swallowed and threw the rock, praying to whoever that it would knock out the signal instead of drawing attention.

A faint smashing noise was heard through the trees. He had done it. He threw the rock and it had hit it square on. Just how many cameras were hidden from sight because the chances of hitting every camera were like having Elena's permission to leave a town suffering -- it just wasn't going to happen!

Finally, a torn knee, two near misses and four cameras later, Ryudo made it around the back of the house and Skye had just taken care of the last remaining camera. The back was unguarded. All that was left was to climb up to the top, while avoiding being seen. Have hard could it possibly be...?

-

“Skye, has she GONE yet?! There is only so much ledge for me to stand on without being seen through the other window!”

“All right, Ryudo she's -- no wait! She's coming back!”

Ryudo groaned as he rested his head on the wall and refrained from banging it.

“Okay, Ryudo, you need to listen carefully to me because you'll only get once chance. When I give the word, you need to use the open window to climb to the floor above. When she heads to the bathroom, you move. Right, on my mark…”

Ryudo waited, bending his legs and preparing to jump when the time came.

“…Now, Ryudo!”

Ryudo jumped, grasped the window and hauled himself up. He nearly lost his footing but managed reach the window, thankful that the room was empty. He took a breath and looked up at the window ahead. That was where Roan was being kept. There was no going back now; he was so close.

Skye flew to the window. “That man's not there, now's your chance! I'll keep an eye out here!” he said, flying off.

Ryudo jumped for the last time and pulled himself through the window. He scanned the room fully; frowning when he didn't lay eyes on the boy he was looking for. Had he been moved again? His face became distorted when his eyes stopped on the bed, seeing it coated with flecks of blood. Ryudo took a small step backwards but stopped when he heard soft sobs coming from the other side of the bed.

The Geohound froze at the sound. The crying sounded strained, tired and very familiar.

Walking around the bed, Ryudo mentally prepared himself for the worse. Hearing Roan sobbing was enough to pull at his heart. How could that bastard do such a thing? How could he make Roan cry like that? Ryudo didn't know the answer and was certain that he never would either. His steps took forever and he feared what he would see.

No! Ryudo shook his head. Now was not the time to be selfish because it mattered very little what he was thinking and fearing. He needed to be strong for Roan, even if that was all he could do. He would use his strength to guide Roan in the right direction and he would be there every step of the way, along with Elena and Mareg. Roan wouldn't need to go through this alone because he had devoted friends that would help him see a brighter day when his world started to fall.

Ryudo stopped when he saw Roan curled beside the bed, naked, hands bound behind him. His head was lowered and only inches away from his knees, sobs tearing from his throat. Various cuts and bruises littered his body, and Ryudo was only able to glimpse at his back. The thick rope tied around Roan's wrists was stained red.

Anger flashed through Ryudo's eyes upon seeing the optimistic blond turned crying wreck. That man would get what was coming to him after. Ryudo swore by this.

He directed his anger elsewhere as he walked closer to Roan. He knelt down and stopped when he noticed the boy begin to shake uncontrollable, bringing his head closer to his knees, whispering, “Please, no more…”

Sorrow was mapped on Ryudo face when realisation sunk in over what Roan was mumbling. 'He thinks I'm…' He moved his hand to rest it on Roan's shoulder but stopped abruptly, fearful that the simple reassuring touch could result in Roan becoming more agitated and scared. The last thing he wanted was for Roan to be afraid of him.

“Roan? Roan, it's me … Ryudo,” he said softly, hopeful that his voice would register with Roan.

Roan stopped shaking and turned his head slightly, his unkempt hair concealing half of his face. Tears streaked his face and Ryudo noticed more discoloration, especially the trail of bruises along his neck. His blue eyes were filled with hurt and confusion, as was his voice when he finally spoke.

“M-Mister … Ryudo?” he asked in small voice. “W-what are you … doing here?”

Ryudo could hear voices from outside the room and wondered how long Elena and Mareg's distraction was going to give them. How long before the redhead came back, also? He needed to hurry but also needed to deal with Roan in a sensitive manner. He looked at Roan's wrists and winced; the skin had been rubbed raw and was now cutting deeply. Ryudo pulled out a small dagger; the rope would need to be cut before any serious damage was done. He blinked as he saw panic well up in Roan's eyes.

Understanding, Ryudo said, tenderly, “Don't worry; I'm just going to cut the rope because it's slowly severing your wrists.” He moved and quickly added, “Is that all right?” He didn't want to alarm Roan and decided to ask his consent, knowing that he would have to be careful in removing the rope.

Roan nodded and Ryudo was certain her heard a faint “yes” being whispered. Ryudo gently held Roan's hand as he cut the rope, taking his time and listening to see whether it was causing any pain for the blond. Once Roan's hands were free, the boy quickly wrapped them around his knees, lowering his face so Ryudo wasn't able to see him.

This move didn't go unnoticed by Ryudo.

“We need to get out of here quickly, Roan,” he told him. “There's no reason for you to be here because you don't belong in a place like this. You've had us all worried,” he smiled.

“I'm sorry,” Roan sobbed.

Ryudo reached and pulled a lightweight jacket from his bag, which would be large enough to cover Roan. He draped it over Roan's shoulders and helped the blond put his arms through the sleeves. Roan wrapped his arms tightly around himself again and Ryudo rested his hand on his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled again.

“There's no reason for you to apologise, Roan. You've done no wrong. I don't care what anyone's said and what you think, you haven't done anything wrong. So you don't need to apologise to anyone. If anyone here needs to apologise, it's me,” Ryudo sighed and looked as Roan turned his head slowly. “I'm sorry, Roan. None of this would ever have happened had I listened to you and followed that stupid sign. I know it's not going to change anything, but I really am sorry and I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me.”

Roan blinked. “Mister Ryudo, it isn't your fault. You weren't to know what would happen. I guess I should have tried harder to change your mind...”

“There you go again, Roan, blaming yourself! It's not your fault! Blame the birds, blame the trees, or blame the stupid monsters if you have to. Just don't blame yourself!” he shot, sternly. He saw Roan wince at his words and cursed himself. “It's not your fault, Roan. You didn't cause this. I just need you to understand that, please,” Ryudo spoke in a quiet voice.

Roan nodded and Ryudo stood up and looked around the room, searching for Roan's stuff. “We need to get out of here before the guards come here and find us. Elena and Mareg are causing a distraction to give us time. Do you know where your things are?”

Roan closed his eyes and turned away from Ryudo in disgust. “Diego … took my clothes. I don't know where everything else is though.”

Ryudo searched and opened the elegant wardrobe and couldn't believe his luck when he saw Roan's bag lying abandoned at the bottom with a pile of clothes. Ryudo recognised Roan's clothes and stuffed them inside the bag and threw it over his shoulder. Ryudo was just about to close the door when he saw something propped up in the very corner, it the wooden flute-like instrument that Roan carried everywhere with him. He smiled sadly, knowing if he left it, Roan would never forgive him. Many times the boy played it after dinner, which had started on request by Elena until he began to play freely at night. It disturbed no one and the music held a great calming effect. He had compared Roan's ability to play the instrument in front of a group to Elena's embarrassment to being heard sing by anyone who was not Granas. The contrast was highly amusing and Elena stated countless times that she was used to sing to Granas alone. Her naivety was remarkable to a certain extent because Ryudo had never met anyone like her; she almost failed to catch any flecks of sarcasm or jokes that were shot to her. The young woman was just one of a kind.

Ryudo nodded and took Roan's bag and slipped the instrument inside, being careful not to catch himself on the piece that stuck out as he flung the bag back over his shoulder. He turned back to the quivering blond and shook his head sadly.

“Roan, we need to leave this place now,” he told him. “Can you walk?”

Ryudo continued to watch Roan carefully, like a hawk. He watched as Roan froze, buried his head in his arms and shrugged.

“I don’t … I don’t … know…” Roan whispered, not wanting Ryudo to know the source of his discomfort, even though he was aware that the Geohound knew this already.

Ryudo nodded and said, “Do you want me to carry you? We can’t go the way I entered but I’m sure we can find another exit.”

Roan looked up to Ryudo, taking a moment to look at the expression that filled it face. ‘Pity,’ he noticed. ‘I don’t want pity – I never wanted pity. I want this to be over – I don’t want pity!’

Finally, the blond nodded his head, and Ryudo took this as an indication that Roan was unable to carry his own weight. He was surprised to say when he saw the young boy use the bed to pull himself up and stand on his own feet. At first he had to keep a hand to keep his balance but Roan realised that he was able to support his own weight.

Ryudo smiled softly at Roan’s determination but his face falter at the thought that determination alone may not be enough in this case.

“We’re on the fourth floor,” he told Roan, “so that means we have to be extra precautious in getting out of here.”

“W-where are Miss Elena and Mr Mareg,” Roan winced slightly as he took a step forward but tried to ignore the pain.

Ryudo frowned and tried to stopped himself from picked up the young boy and carrying him out of the building himself. That’s what he wanted to do, but he was more than aware that wasn’t what Roan wanted to do. No, Roan wanted to walk out of the cursed building without assistance and on his own.

“They’re the means of our distraction,” he informed Roan. “But I don’t know how much longer they can keep it up.”

Roan nodded and proceeded to walk forward with slow, careful steps, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself from expressing the emotion he wanted to. He did want the others to know how he felt, metaphorically, that was, so they would be able to give him to comfort he was craving, but at the end, it was too much to contend with his pride. His pride won out most times, now being the prime example of a case where his head triumphed.

“Then we must hurry.”

Ryudo waited and watched for any obvious indications that would merit him offering swift assistance to Roan, but couldn’t find any that would gain him permission. ‘Just when will he ask for help?’ Ryudo wondered.

A piercing screaming from downstairs shook him from his train of thoughts and made him realise what would happened if they were found. These were people, not monsters. Could he really harm people in front of Roan? He wouldn’t kill anyone, but he would injure those who stood in his path.

There was one exception to the rule…

Diego, as Roan had called him.

If he stepped in his path, he would not hesitate. Even in front of Roan. He would not hesitate.

To be continued…