Chapter 5: Vincent’s Past

After changing in to more appropriate attire to go out with Reno, I approached the front doorway. Upon reaching it, I saw Vincent and Reno talking, and God help me, smiling. In time I smiled too, because Reno was finally getting what he wanted; a friend, not an enemy any longer.
“Oh, there she is,” Vincent looked in my direction and gave me a smile so sincere that I almost fell over from the shock.
“You said 5 minutes,” Reno stuck his tongue out at me. “It’s been almost a half an hour. Girls are all alike I swear.”
“Are we going or what?” I said trying my best to forget what he had just said.
“Have her home by midnight,” Vincent said while shaking Reno’s hand.
“You can count on me, sir,” Reno winked. “See you later Vince.”
Reno escorted me to as far as the car. Then he just started acting like Reno all over again.
“Aren’t you going to open my door for me?” I almost yelled at him.
“Why the Hell would I do something like that?” Reno smiled. “Nah, kidding. Just hold on a second.”
Reno quickly unlocked the car, crawled inside, and then leaned over the seat to open my door.
“Thanks, I guess…” I sat down and situated my dress.
“That’s just my style,” Reno winked. “Speaking of style, you look very, uhm, beautiful tonight.”
“Aw well thank you Reno…” I said trying to hide my blush.
“So, where are we going?” Reno started the ignition.
“I made reservations at the Gold Saucer’s Restaurant. You know, the real fancy one inside the casino?”
“No Way!” Reno laughed. “I’ve always wanted to go there…”
“So what excuse did you give Elena for leaving?” I questioned while fixing my glove.
“Oh, I told her I was going out with Bambi; my current girlfriend.” Reno smiled.
“You better hope to God we don’t somehow run into her,” I shook my finger at him.
“Who, Bambi?”
“No you idiot! Elena!” I slapped his arm. “My God... Sometimes, no scratch that, you always worry me.”
“Yeah whatever,” Reno shrugged it off. “So. You and Vince. How’s it workin’ out? Is it awkward being engaged to a man who could really be your father? Maybe even your grandfather?”
“Why does everyone keep saying things like that?” I almost yelled because I was tired of the obnoxious questions. “He’s only 28, isn’t he?”
“Mm, no honey... He may look 28, but in reality he’s gotta be pushin’ 60 or maybe even older,” Reno clicked his tongue. “That’s what he gets though for becoming a lab rat like that.”
“Lab rat..? What in the Hell are you talking about?”
“You didn’t even know that?” I shook my head no. “Damn woman. You’re completely clueless!”
“Tell me!” I grabbed onto his arm. “Please?”
“Right, okay,” Reno laughed. “Then I’ll get killed by him for telling his life story.”
“I won’t say a word, scout’s honor,” I put my right hand up.
“Oh fine,” Reno sighed, and then cleared his throat in preparation to telling Vincent’s mysterious tale.

“Vincent Valentine may be a man of few words, but his tale certainly isn’t. Born into a poor family, Vincent never really had a family. His parents disowned him in order to save what little property they did have. By doing so, ShinRa Inc. had full rights to his life. While still a boy, he went through basic training and attended night school. When he turned 18, President Shinra, not Rufus, offered Vincent the opportunity to become a Turk. Vincent immediately accepted, and soon became the strongest man ShinRa Inc. has employed as a Turk. A few years later, Vincent met Professor Crescent or Lucrecia if you prefer. They became close friends, and some even say they had a relationship going at some point... I doubt it. Lucrecia was picky like that. After a year or so, Lucrecia and Professor Hojo, the head honcho of the Science Department of ShinRa, began a relationship. Hojo had gotten Lucrecia impregnated, so he began to use her embryo as a test subject. Vincent tried his hardest to convince Lucrecia not to let Hojo do what he wanted, but Lucrecia wouldn’t listen. Hojo, after becoming frustrated by Vincent’s actions, shot and killed him. From that point on, Vincent was never the same. Hojo began to use Vincent’s limp body as a host for another of his experiments, the resurrection of Chaos. It obviously gave Vincent the privilege to live once again, but not at all how he wanted to. Hojo was a bit overtaken by Vincent’s power, and quickly sealed him in a coffin under ShinRa Mansion in Nibelheim. He was there for 30 years. The only reason Vincent is roaming free now is because Cloud and his group of friends accidentally stumbled upon the coffin…But even now Chaos now runs freely in his veins, and every once in a while, you’ll swear you hear the terrible cries of Chaos in the night.”

I fell silent. Vincent, the man I’ve come to love so dearly, was dead. Well, he isn’t anymore, but he might as well be… He doesn’t want to admit it to himself, because the very thoughts haunt him with his past. I didn’t know how to respond to that…
“Kim? Are you going to be okay?” Reno quickly glanced over at me. “I tell you what; you can slap me when we get out of the car. Sound good?”
Hearing that made me smile, which made him laugh.
“Good girl,” Reno patted my leg. “Now, let’s find us a parking space…”
My mind spun in circles trying to link all of the things Reno just told me together. One question kept flashing within me: Why didn’t he say anything? I was probably getting myself too uptight, but I couldn’t help it.
“Kim?” Reno had already walked over to my side of the car and opened the door. “Shall we?”
“Yeah,” I grabbed onto his hand. “Thank you Reno, for everything.”
“Anything for you, babe,” he smiled at me, which made me smile.
As soon as we walked through the door, a voice called to us from inside.
“Reno! Hey!” She waved at us ecstatically. “It’s me; Tifa!”