One of Us

VI

      A bang on his cell door jerked Yossi out of a light sleep.

     "You have a visitor, Hawksley."

     Yossi scrambled to his feet. Was it really happening now? So soon?

     The door ground open and a cloaked figure slipped into his cell holding a lantern.

     "I'll be back in 5 minutes." warned the guard as he closed the door on them.

     "Who are you?" asked Yossi lowly, preparing to take a fighting stance if needed..

     "It's me." Rowena removed her hood and set her lantern down on the stone ledge.

     Yossi was stunned, "Rowena?" he clarified.

     "Who else?"

     "What are you doing here?" he stammered.

     "There are things I want to know." she answered, "Things I need to know!"

     "What things?" he evaded.

     "Everything!" she exclaimed, "Are you really Hawksley?"

     He flinched, "Rowena-"

     "Don't Rowena me. Just answer!"

     He nodded, unable to meet her eyes.

     "Why? How?" she sputtered, "Help me understand."

     "What's to understand? Yes, I'm Hawksley. I'm sure you've heard the stories. The tales of horror and terror? Let me assure you they are only half as vivid as witnessing them first hand." Yossi retorted.

     Rowena stared at him. "What happened to you?" she asked grasping his hand, "Help me understand!"

     He stared at his hand in hers. "You can't," he answered simply, pulling his hand away, the trance broken.

     Rowena suddenly reached out and slapped him across the face, knocking his head into the rough stone wall, opening an old cut. He stared at her, wincing as he felt blood trickle down his face.

     "You are so infuriating!" she cried preparing for a second hit. Suddenly angry himself, he caught this one before it landed and flipped her around, so that she faced away from him, twisting her arm behind her back. Rowena darted her other arm around his neck pulling his head down to her shoulder. They struggled there for a moment until Rowena suddenly turned her head and kissed him.

     Yossi froze. Then realizing what was happening he pushed her away, breathing heavily.

     "Why did you do that?" he demanded

     "To see what you'd do" she answered softly

    Yossi stared at her, "You've changed."

     "And you haven't?" she challenged.

     Yossi dropped his gaze to the floor and shoved his hands into his pockets. "I think you should go."

     Rowena took a step towards him, her hands pleading "Yossi, please let me help you!"

     Yossi matched her step with a backwards one of his own, "I'm past saving."

     The guard returning cut off her retort. She picked up her lantern and told him she was ready.

     As the key turned, she turned back to him, "One last thing."

     Yossi frowned "I told you-"

     She held up a hand to stop him, "This is for Tobias."

     He checked himself and nodded for her to continue.

     "What are your parent's names?"

     Yossi looked at her oddly, but answered softly "My father's name was Akiva ben Yosef and my mother was Elsie. Her parents were Nicholas and Alexandra."

     "And you father's?"

     "He never knew his parents."

     She nodded and stepped out of the cell.

     "Rowena!", he called as she walked away, "Remember. I am the villain in this story. You are the hero. We cannot change our roles. We can only do what we have to do. No matter the cost"