Forbidden Freedoms

The inevitable ending

Even after break through moments of clarity the future could not be denied. Billy was going to be gone. He didn't want to be alone but he knew he couldn't ask them to stay. They had others to care for and if they stayed with him the outcome would be no different. They sensed this to. Billy summoned up the courage " I've never felt so loved or less alone, thank you.... but its time to say goodbye". They all accepted that the moment had to end at some point and nothing would make it any less traumatic. Charlie gave Billy the biggest embrace he had ever felt. She didn't want him to ever forget that hug. The tears flowed down her face and dripped onto Billys tshirt. "I meant what I said before... I do love you" she again whispered to him. She let go wiping the tears away from her face. Vicki immediately took her place. This hug was strong like she had built a wall around him. Nothing could get in. No harm could break through. "Please promise me that you will never change who you are in your heart Billy. No matter where you go and for how long remember that given the choice you choose to be this man". She broke the hug and kissed him on the forehead. Billy could not add anything else to this moment and watched as the ladies embraced eachother for support. Soon after they were gone and Billy was alone again.
       By morning it had broken. Charlie's phone rang and beeped constantly. Billy had been identified and the fire was burning out of control. Charlie tried to ignore the digital onslaught, she wasn't ready to face the world, not yet. However the loud banging on her front door could not be denied. She opened the door to see 2 uniformed police officers, 2 men in suits who she assumed where dectectives by their demeanor and 2 more men who wore jackets with security insignia on them but they were not the police. A man introduced himself "I am detective Murray and we need to talk to you about the where abouts of a colleague of yours". He spoke with an authority that demanded attention but he seemed rushed. She knew this would be about Billy. She composed herself  "what can I do to help you?" She said with little conviction. Detective Murray immediately responded "when did you last see your friend Billy? ". She was confused as since the world seemingly knew who he was then he would have been taken away. Had they not fed this information back to the local authorities she thought. Then she panicked, had Billy hurt himself or worse? "Why whats going on?!" She demanded.
        Detective Murray made glancing eye contact with the two men who were not policemen before continuing "we just need to know his whereabouts. Its for his own safety". Charlie knew that his safety was not at the core of this at all. Murray continued to probe "when was the last time you saw Billy? We need to know?". He again glanced at the two other men. Charlie suddenly started smile. She couldn't help it. "Why are you looking so happy?" Detective Murray demanded to know. Charlie closed her eyes to gain some semblance of control over her joy - "he didn't wait for you did he?". She beamed with this statement. She knew Billy had made the decision to go before being taken. One of the security men was furious with Charlie's attitude to this "none of this will help him you know. He'll be found! Running won't work for Billy!" He angrily bellowed. Charlie again composed herself " its funny how you can spend so much time watching someone and not know them at all" she said "teach a man to blend in and he'll blend in, teach a man he can have any name and he'll simply adopt another. Show a man what he can't have and he'll want it even more".
       The security man bellowed again "its only a matter of time before he's found! I'll get him!". Charlie smiled again "I'm sure you will, but imagine that, being yourself untamed... free even if its just for a day". They searched her house and all the surrounding area. They found nothing that would help them. "We'll be watching you" promised Dectective Murray " If at any time he attempts to contact you or you him we'll know".
        Charlie's phone rang this time she answered as it was Vicki - "have you had the same visit as me?" She queried. Both had been quizzed about Billy, both could not help the police with information. They could sense the others almost pride in Billys decision. " if you could be a new person even just for a day who would you be?" Asked Charlie. Vicki thought deeply "Goodness I have no idea" she said "but if I was Billy I'd be myself". What a great choice agreed Charlie. Vicki warned Charlie that there would undoubtedly be a circus around the whole affair as the press would want their pound of flesh and the dirty sordid story of Billy. It didn't take long . There was again a knock at Charlie's door but this time is was a gaggle of reporters. The vultures hadn't taken long at all to find their prey. The first one stepped up "can we talk to you about  how you now feel knowing you were so close to such a dangerous and depraved menace? What was it like to survive Tristan Maxwell?!". Charlie spoke to Vicki down the phone "want to come over and have a cuppa and a chat with some people with me?". Vicki responded instantly - "would love to... I'll be there in a few minutes".
        Charlie hung up the phone and addressed the eagerly awaiting reporters all desperate for their scoop - "if you hang on a few mins my friend will be round and we'll happily tell you all about my Billy".