Thread: Shades of Gray

The moments that came were interesting ones. Thomas regarded her coolly, both listening and watching this young woman as she spoke, standing before him in so little as a nightgown. He watched her face, watching how the slight changes in her features occurred from one sentence to the next. He watched as she made no movement for the knife, even when bidden to. He listened to all she had to say. When she was done he simply breathed, considering his words before forming them. I am a terrible human being, Miss Caroline. Your father and his ilk are right in their trying to stop me. In truth, I earnestly hope they succeed eventually, or at the least someone does. It is my greatest wish that I hang at the gallows for the things that I do, and will continue to do until that time. It was soft-spoken, all of it, said with the delicate strength of the morning wind upon an open meadow. Tell me, would you allow one to die if it meant saving the lives of two others? What about three others? What about eight others, but rather than let the one die, you must kill the first by your own hand, and then do things to the body that rob you of sleep until your skin is as pale as mine? ...What about a thousand? What if, by becoming the Devil himself, you could help entire cities? Maybe more? ...I am a murderer. I will continue to be. I am here to slay your father as to purchase my research much-needed time. The wolves nip at my heels far too closely, you s- CRASH. Thomas' body jumped, knocking his hood back some. Taking his hands from within his robe, he rushed over to the large window, pulling the velvet curtain aside to peer out again. Enough! We talk too much. The front half of that barn has collapsed. I did not expect to have been bought even this much time...this is borrowed, all of it. His heart raced. As he watched the men outside stirring about the circumference of the flames, like a bonfire portending his death, he wondered how long it would be until they would discover he was not actually there. If what you say is true then your father is in a position now where I cannot get to him as I had hoped. I am not able to take on so many by myself. Tonight is a failure. The curtain fell back into place. Leave the knife, he said, kneeling down to grab at the curtain's hem. He will discover it, and he will know that a wolf nips at his heel also. With a few heavy tugs he tore through the bottom of the rich dark red velvet, roughly two inches thick and the full length of the left curtain. We leave. We go now. I will believe what you say for now. If you are earnest about your desire to be freed of this cage, little bird, understand you embrace that freedom as you are now. We have not the time to retrieve money or clothes. Another tug and the length of cloth was separated into two pieces. These men are charged with ending me upon sight. Thomas stood. Turning, he walked over to stand in front of her, hood still down, his pale features clear in the equally pale moonlight. Tell me how we would best leave. Tell me, so I may then bind you and bring you along as a true kidnapper would. Once we are away safely I will let you free. Soft blue eyes staring into hers, he added hurriedly, Tell me. We have no time!