And If You Wrong Us

Part 9: The Fall

"But putting you in here has surely soured your feelings for me. You cannot love me after such actions."

Sarah lifted his face, eyes unblinking. "You cannot fathom the depth of my feelings, whether it be hatred or love, hope or dismay."

"I did what I had to."

"Continue telling yourself as much," Sarah scoffed. "We both know your true intent. Your reasoning has been selfish from the start. When you thought I was a girl, a young, vulnerable girl in mourning who was seeking love, you wanted me as a means to escape your monotonous life, to take you on an adventure, to bring you passion and thrills. When you found out the truth, you feared I would exact revenge on your dismissal of me. You sought me out, knowing I would not hide any more truths from you, knowing I would still feel for you, still want you in my life. You used my feelings against me. It wasn't about your family's safety — you knew they'd be alright. You cared more for your social standing than my future. You couldn't bear not knowing if and when I would tear down your reputation. You would lose your family, your home, your job — everything. Why didn't you try to bribe me?"

"What?" Mr. Raven looked up suddenly.

"You could have offered me money, a place to stay..."

Mr. Raven folded his hands in his lap neatly. "I knew the only thing you would accept was something I couldn't give you."

"Ah, because you know me oh so well." Sarah stood, shaking on skinny, boney legs. "Don't worry, Mr. Raven, your secret is still safe with me. You can take it to your grave."

The door burst open, two guards pouring in, as Sarah snatched a shard of glass from beneath his sheets and lunged at Mr. Raven. They latched onto his arms and pried the glass from his hand. He struggled wildly against their hold, kicking, throwing his weak, malnourished body about. Mr. Raven backed away from them, avoiding Sarah's thrashing.

"Why didn't you let me die?" Sarah shrieked, voice shrill. He reached out to Mr. Raven desperately. "Please, let me die!"

Mr. Raven stared back, horrified, frozen in place. A third guard entered the room, approaching him.

"You don't know!" Sarah screamed. "You don't know what they do in here! Death is my friend! Death is the only escape!"

The other guard placed his hand on Mr. Raven's shoulder, causing him to jump in surprise.

"Please come with me," he said gruffly, barely glancing at Sarah.

"No!" Sarah pleaded, tears crawling down his panicked face. "Don't go! They'll punish me for this! They'll break me!"

"Sir." The guard tugged on his shoulder. "The patient is unstable, Sir. For your safety, we need you to vacate the room."

"What will you do to him?" Mr. Raven asked, voice trembling.

"We will sedate him, Sir."

"That's when they do it!" Sarah shouted. His eyes were wide with fear. "That's when they break you! When you can't fight!"

Mr. Raven's eyes traveled over Sarah's frail body, spotting numerous cuts and bruises. He shivered. "I'll go, but allow me to say goodbye."

"Sir, the patient may try to harm you again. I don't think —"

Mr. Raven whirled on the guard. "Do you know who I am?" he demanded.

The guard looked back at him, blinking. "Yes. Yes, Mayor."