Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ I Can't Breathe ❯ Chapter 1

[ A - All Readers ]

Title: I Can't Breathe
Author: Freija (venus@lovesenshi.com)
Summary: My version of what was going on in Freija (translated as Freya)'s
mind as she saw Fratley again.
Notes: Heh, my first attempt at a short Final Fantasy IX fic. Enjoy ^^;

*~*~*

I can't breathe.

Oh Frately, my love... how many sleepless nights have gone by without you
beside me? Without your arms around me... I want to feel your embrace once
more, if only once more...

You are the reason I go on living. Everytime I feel like giving up, I
think of you... and how you are out there somewhere, waiting...

Are you searching for me as well?

"Freija, you're strong... don't cry." I can still hear your voice, picture
your face. When the weight of the world had made me want to give in, you
gave me the will to go on... the words of compassion, encouragement...
and love. You wiped away my tears, and kissed my white cheeks. You praised
me for not crying as I lost everything.

Yes, I still remember it all. Everything up until when you left me, with
that ambitious heart, to explore the world.

"Don't cry... Freija, strong people don't cry."

Strong. Yes, I am strong.

So why is it that the tears won't stop falling down?

All the memories that I treasure deep within me, the beautiful moments that
we spent together... they mean nothing now.

You're gone. I've lost you forever.

All the excitement that rushed over me when I saw your face once more, I
couldn't even breathe. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak.

And then, to hear...

"Pleased to meet you, Lady Freija."

You don't even remember me. The voice I had been waiting my whole life to
hear wasn't the same. It was cold, uncaring, uncompassionate. Never again
would it speak of loving me. It had no recollection of us. None at all.

I'm nothing but a stranger to you now.

"Freija, don't cry... you're much too strong for that."

So what if my whole world, all my hope, my dreams... have just died? I'm
just being selfish. So stop crying, stand up, and tell Zidane that you're
fine.

You'll live.

And that's exactly what I do. I walk on, my throat aching. I still can't
breathe. I'm an unheard scream. I'm living, yet barely alive.

I want to cry. But I can't. I can't smile. I can't laugh. I can't
breathe.

Someone...

Please help me...