Chapter 16 "Glory Box"

Saturday, late.

"Glory Box"

She parks the cart plenty of distance and behind rows of trees, making her way by memory, she doesn't need the moon light, she could make her way out here blindfolded. 

So many men, so many targets. So many nights of torture. Coming out here in the middle of the night, was always for more pain. Tonight, could be the first in memory, she comes out, out of curiosity. 

She walks gingerly, stepping quietly along the rocks, until she sees the lit up cell. Funny, the first time she's ever seen it lit up at night. The first and only target that got an axe, a weapon, or tool. It must be taken, that can be the excuse. 

The truth, she wanted to see what he spent all night, writing and rewriting. What was so important that he stayed up till three am, killing his eyes for?

She tiptoes towards the open door; the campfire is burning bright, and his lump of mass moves up and down inside the sleeping bag. The notepad and his cigarettes lay on the ground next to him. The axe lies at the front door, in the open. Above him, stuck on the wall, something catches her eye.

She steps inside, still aware to look for any signs of traps, but the cell is bare. On the wall above him, he's drawn two sets of eyes. It's their eyes. Shaking her head slightly with a smile, she looks closer, and thinks, has anyone ever done this for me?

Looking down to him, his eyes closed, she leans close and watches his short breaths. His aura is passive, she can tell when one fakes, and he's completely at peace. 

Bending down, she takes the notepad, keeping an eye on him, she begins to read.

The last paragraph makes her read again.

"I feel again, and want to actually risk my heart by giving it to you. You are the first time I have attempted to do so in so long, I don't know what I'm doing. You have to help me. You have three choices, you can accept me, this, and we can find a way to make it work. You can release me back to "normal", to a world I don't exist in or kill me. 

There are only two choices. I don't want to live without you."

His heart, on paper.

Finishing his words, she imagines his fantasy, with every fiber in her body telling her no, she sees past and considers a "what if". The one in a billion scenario.

What if, they stayed, together? Undue everything she's been taught, everything she's worked for. 

"For what, a man? Another man, preventing you from your absolute greatness" she could already hear from professor Kurtz.

"Domesticated. Domesticated and obedient just like every-other!"

Her words echo out of fear, while his out of love. She watches him for a moment, his sleeping; she's moved to touch his face. He moves in his sleep towards her hand after she pulls away, causing her to smile.

She quietly leaves taking the axe, and quickly tearing his words from the notepad, leaving it at the entrance, and closing the door. 

No need for electricity, we've obviously moved past that.

The trip seems faster, back to the mansion, her heart fluttering, almost like she's decided yes, and her body responds with endorphins. Time slows but the trip in darkness is sped.

Imaging accepting this choice, this life. His search for the truth, it would lead to wanting to know all her darkness. All her truth. 

This strange life of theirs. Hers, his, and hers. It could lead to something more than what society would accept, or could understand. Their wants, desires. Their shortfalls and weaknesses. 

Could it be the strange element missing, or the downfall of something she's worked for her whole life?

It hits her as she comes out of the wilderness to see the family estate. Everything she's worked for, her whole life could be thrown away. On a target, a man.