Entering Midgar

Zack was panting, blood seeping through his uniform. He checked it, concerned. Whew. Not his blood. He sat down next to the addled Cloud.

"Wait... Was that all of 'em? Hey, Cloud. You see that?" Cloud just moaned, trying to reach into Zack's trousers. At that moment, an explosion from the Shinra Tower, the shockwave rippling through the canyon where Zack and Cloud were huddled. He struggled to his feet. Aerith ... they had to get back fast.

***

It was late afternoon as they made it to the city. An insult on top of injury, it started to rain. Zack looked up at the sky, sighing, as he dragged Cloud along.

"Almost there, Cloud. We're almost there..." as he took a step, he almost felt Aerith cross his path. Was it a premonition? Or something more?