Kings Gambit

Chapter 44 - Torment

Angel... I'm sorry I haven't treated you with respect or dignity. Initially, I thought of you as a bright young mind, but that warped into being seen as a tool or a pawn. I don't know why you cling to or believe in me so strongly. From my memory, you hate the police because they were incompetent in finding your friend before his untimely demise. I wasn't even able to find the killer of Willow until it was too late as well... So why believe in me now? After all the evidence of me being a part of the creation of your hell, why?

"Why do you have hope in me, Angel?" I asked after moments of silence between us. We sat at the dining room table, exhausted from the trial the night before.

"Didn't we go over this in the trial room?" Angel glared down at the empty table. There was no food left to eat, so we just sat.

"I just don't get it. I've failed you every step of the way. Yet you still believe in me. Why?" I asked again. Angle rested her head on her arms.

"What else can I do? It's either believing in you or suffering alone." Angle's voice wavered.

"I see." I paused, "Tell me, what's on the other side for you if you escape this hell?" I asked, leaning back in my chair.

"I'm not sure. I could go back to art school... But with Willow and Clyde gone, I'm unsure if I could emotionally handle it...." Angel mumbled.

"What about your family?" I replied. Angel looked up, placing her chin on her hands.

"That's weird. You never cared before," Angel responded.

"I'm just curious. Until Jasper makes a move, I can't do much. Might as well get to know you," I scratched the back of my neck. Angel glanced over to the side.

"I grew up with three younger brothers. I'm the oldest by five years, so I was put in charge of watching over them because my deadbeat parents didn't care too." Angel sighed.

"Were your parents abusive?" I questioned.

"Nah, just lazy. They did help me pay for art school and provided food and a roof over our heads, so I can't complain too much. Still, I barely had a childhood. Taking care of three young boys is a lot of work." Angel twisted her hair with her finger anxiously.

"I can see where your abrasive personality comes from, then." I chuckled.

"I'm not abrasive! I just have to be stern to get them to listen." Angel pouted.

"Tomato tamato, you can be rather aggressive. I'm surprised you and Willow got along." I motioned.

"We got along because I protected her. She was a frequent victim of bullying throughout high school. So I had to step in to stop it. I was dating Clyde by that point. So it was natural for us to get along. I'm not that mean of a person," Angel crossed her arms.

"I never said you were mean. Still, though, you're a strong-willed person. Not everyone can power through what you've been through. Just look at Matt. Losing Elizabeth killed him emotionally. You've lost Willow and Clyde, yet you're still holding on." I gave a gentle smile. Angel's eyes glistened.

"I just know how to hide it...." She whimpered, "I still have three brothers to care for, so I can't die here... I can't lose hope. That's why I am holding on. That's why I have to trust in you," Angel shivered. I placed my hand on her head.

"I'll make sure you make it out of here; you're my top priority, so don't worry," I responded reassuringly as she sniffled.

"I've been living in torment ever since that bastard killed Willow... Now that he's dead, I finally have hope that I can make it out of here..." Angel sobbed.