The Bride & the Darkman

Chapter 3: The Truth About Anna

After a while, the thunder storm passed away leaving a beautiful and starry night sky with a full moon. At this time, Anna and I were sitting near the warm fire place.

     "Well, Anna", I said with a sigh. "I guess it is high time that I tell you about myself." I then gave a slow and deep sigh.

     "I was born in a town called York and raised by a rich family", I said to Anna as she looked at me again with those large orange eyes.

     "My family's last name was Peterson. And how I got my middle name, Isiah was from my mother giving me that middle name from my half Spanish grandfather, Isiah Francisco Peterson, who was also a Capitan of a whaling ship. But back to my story."

I counited on with my story by saying, "My mother taught me to be a very well-mannered young gentleman. Of course, being around the age of 6 though, I wanted to do my own things in life. Only to get in trouble be my parents. When I became 14 years old, I meet a young and lovely girl in school. I didn't know her name, but I wanted to meet her. So, one day, I went to school as usual and gave her something to eat along with some bright red flowers as well. At this time, this girl knew me a little more so, but not quit fully. But when I gave her my untouched lunch and some flowers, she was pleasantly surprised!"

"Why thank you Harvey", she exclaimed happily.

I was very happy about this. So, much so, I then asked the girl, "By the way, what's your name if I may ask?"

The girl smiled and said in reply, "My name is Hannah. Hannah Baker."

After that very day, Hannah and I became the best of friends. In time, we thought of even getting married one day when we were older. Hannah and I spent many enjoyable years together as we got older.

Some years later, Hannah and I got married and did great things together. Things such as riding horses, going to the ball, going to the opera, but most of all, we enjoyed playing music together. Hannah would sing, while I played the piano. Everything was great...........................until Hannah was killed by a stupid bloody bomb raid. Bloody idiots! Bloody Nazis!

After she died, I guess I went downhill emotionally. That's probably why I look the way I do. The pale skin. The long raven-black hair. The wide dark purple eyes. Basically, the way I look now. I then went into the army, as a foot soldier, and fought for a long time, 'till the end of the war. But I got transferred back home, due to my right leg being blown off by a landmine."

I then pulled up my right pant leg to show Anna the prostatic leg of mine that the army gave me. Anna covered her mouth I shock at seeing my leg. I then continued with my story.

"After the royal army took me back home", I said to Anna. "I wanted to go back home. Unfortunately, to the way of how I looked and acted now in my dark and brooding way, my family didn't want me back to live with them. With no money or a place to live, I wandered the streets of my hometown trying to survive. I eventually got a job an old steel factory as a metal worker, but the manager and the workers of the place didn't like me at all. But despite all that was happening in my life, I had one rule for myself. And that rule was to not harm or destroy anyone or anything, unless it was as a last resort in self-defense. But later on, I was framed and arrested for stealing some money from the factory that I was working at! This was done by a corrupt and tyrannically police officer. And of course, no one would believe my side of the story, so I was then thrown into jail. And that is where I meet you Anna."

Anna looked at in disbelief of all the pain I had gone through. Anna then said to me, "I may not have gone through as difficult or painful life as you have Harvey, but I can understand how you feel about losing someone you love."

I looked at Anna with surprise when she said this to me. I then proceeded to say to her, "You mean you understand and know how I feel Anna?"

Anna nodded her head in agreement. Anna then came closer to me and said to me, "Now I will tell you about my life story."

Anna then took a deep breath and breathed out a clam and long sigh. Anna then said to me in a soft and calming tone, "I was born in London, but of course, I was born in the East End of London. I was also born into a rich family as well. But I was appointed to a husband when I became of age. I had no choice but to marry my future husband. Due to this, I wanted to rebel, but I didn't want to hurt my family feelings."

Anna then counited to speak by describing the man she was to marry by saying, "The man that I was to marry was also from a rich family. This man's name was Phil White. Also, before I married Phil, my maiden name was Owen at the time. When I was married to Phil, I would never speak to him. Not at royal balls, at the opera house, or even at the dinner table. Until one day, Phil grabbed me by my arm in frustration due to me ignoring him and said to me in a rough tone, "If you don't want to show me love, then I will surly as bloody hell show you love!"

Anna counited her story by saying, "Phil then kissed me on my lips with passion and lust! I almost slapped Phil in the face for that! But then........................I lowered my hand and I began to kiss him back with the same bloody passion and lust that he had for me.

Anna smiled a warm smile by telling me this and then said, "After that, Phil and I enjoyed our time together for a very long time. Just like you and Hannah enjoyed each other. But then...........................Phil became very sick with Ammonia. Phil tried to fight off the Ammonia, but to no avail. Soon, Phil was taken to his sick bed. I stayed with him for as long as I could. But one day........................I awoke next to Phil and tried to wake him up. But Phil didn't move! At all! Phil was gone! I screamed in agony at realizing that my Phil, my lovely, dear, and sweet Phil, was dead! Gone forever! And strangely enough.................................I too, just like you Harvey, went down emotionally. And just like you, my family rejected me as well. However, I was much nicer, even after Phil's death, then what you told me about yourself after Hannah died in your case. So, after having to live on the streets for a long time, I too was framed for a crime I didn't committee as well. As a result, I was thrown into jail. That's where I meet you Harvey."

     I then realized that I wasn't alone in the struggle against the law. But then, I asked Anna, "What was the name of the officer that threw you into jail?"

     "His name was Sergeant Edward Thomson", replied Anna back to me.

     My eyes widened in shock when I heard this! Anna noticed the look of shock on my face and asked me, "Whatever is the matter?"

     I then replied, "Sergeant Edward Thomson was the officer that framed me and put me into jail too!"

     Anna then had that same shocked look as I did a second ago. Anna then asked me in a nervous tone, "Are you sure that we are safe here in Hastings from Edward Thomson?"

     In reply, I said, "Mrs. Richards said that she would let no one harm us, Anna my friend."

     Anna then gave a sign of relief. By now, it was 2:00 a.m. in the morning as the grandfather clock was going off.

     "Well Anna", I said in a soft tone. "It's high time that we go to bed now. Anna nodded her head in agreement. With that, Anna and I went to bed to await the next day.