And If You Wrong Us

Part 9: The Fall

He sighed. "I lost my wife, my children, my love, the only job I cared about. I have nothing more to lose." He pulled off his coat and threw it to the floor. "Take what you want."

Sylvia held his face in her hands. "I was hoping you would say that." She kissed him deeply, and he let her claim what she desired.

The heavy door creaked on its old hinges as it swung open, revealing the dank, dark room. There was one small window in the back, protected by three rods of metal. The only furniture within was a ragged cot and a wooden chair. It smelled of piss and despair.

Mr. Raven nodded to the guard and entered, the door closing with a loud clunk behind him. His eyes adjusted to the bare lighting and honed in on the figure sitting on the cot, covered in dirty rags, hair wild and covering most of the face.

Mr. Raven dragged the chair over to the cot and sat down. He waited in silence.

Sarah lifted his head, a demented smile forming across his face. "Well, well..." he rasped. "Look who it is. Come to see the leper, have we?"

Mr. Raven drew in a deep breath. "I wanted..." He paused and tried again. "I felt it necessary to see how you were."

Sarah laughed, which abruptly changed to violent coughing. When the fit faded, he laughed again. "To subdue your guilty conscience?"

Mr. Raven shifted uncomfortably in the small chair. "I did what I had to," he replied defensively.

"Ah, yes. I was such a danger to your reputation. You had no choice but to have me locked away, to have me treated as a lunatic who spews lies."

"I didn't act for that reason!" Mr. Raven retorted, anger sparking. "You're a murderer! You threatened my family!"

Sarah scoffed. "I killed a man who is crazier than me, a man who abused me all my life, who forced me to pretend, who lied to everyone. And every other man I killed was a parasite, a blight on this quiet little town. They were filthy, lecherous, abusive men. And this is my reward for bringing about justice. As for your family, my threats were to keep me safe. Hah!" He threw back his head. "Look how that turned out!"

"It was not your place to dole out punishment," Mr. Raven answered, regaining composure. "You should have gone to the police."

Sarah slapped the cot in amusement. "Went to the police, told them I was actually a man and that my father, the respectable, honorable mayor, who ensured their job security, was forcing me to play pretend?" He shook his head. "You are even madder than I if you believe that would have worked in my favor!"

Mr. Raven rose and knocked the chair over irritably. "I knew it was a mistake to come." He headed towards the door.

"Wait!" Sarah called out, voice trembling. "Don't go." He lowered his head in defeat. "I haven't had a visitor in three years."

Mr. Raven stopped, sighing heavily. He turned back towards Sarah.

"I don't even know your true name."

"Yes, you do. My father named me Sarah. That was to be my sister, but she died shortly after birth. So, I inherited the name. I was never given any others."

Mr. Raven righted the chair and sat back down. "Tell me, honestly; were you hoping that I would abandon my family and marry you? To save you from a life of poverty?"

"No." Sarah shook his head solemnly. "I never intended that. I just...you made me feel different. I felt like myself around you, even in that terrible wig and dress. I didn't want to tear you away from your family. And yet, I did. I wanted you for myself. I was being selfish. But the way I felt for you was never a lie; that was the only thing I knew for certain was true."