MADMAN'S DEMISE

6

"I can't do it, Beverly!"

Brandon's sudden words brought my calm insides to life, and I raised my head from his chest to face him seated instead.

"How am I supposed to look at him without hovering at him like a beast?"

My stomach turned with the way he acknowledged his capability. We both knew what happened the last time he laid eyes on someone he despised.

"I fucking hate him! I hate him so much."

But the hatred towards Arthur was not as heavy as the hatred for Joseph. Even if Brandon would freak out in panic the moment he saw his father for the first time in years, there was no reason for him to kill. He just spoke that way because he didn't know how to handle his emotions.

I grabbed his hands, trying to comfort him with my touch and keep doing my job of convincing him into doing the right thing.

"Then make him pay for what he's done to you." I looked into his eyes. The umber brown colour slowly turning black as the frustration grew inside him. He sighed, squeezed my much smaller hands and shook his head lightly.

"I want him to, trust me. But I can't let anyone else pay for what I've done."

The way Brandon spoke about what was right and wrong made me feel proud. Even if I knew he cared for justice, I was pleased when he confirmed it out loud. It just assured me yet again that he was a sensible man who only happened to fall wryly in life.

But it didn't matter at this moment. This whole dramatic occasion was much more crucial than thinking about morality and ethics. Brandon had been locked up for over seven years now and an unexpected development had occurred in his treatment. There were several of us who believed there was a possibility Brandon could have a future outside the hospital already if the authorities would ever agree to a perole for good behavior. But that chance was small. To be conditionally freed from detainment he needed to be declared sane as well, and we were not there yet at all. Although his ameliorated health was noticed by the very chief of this hospital, he was still a far journey from being announced as mentally sensible.

Thus was this whole occasion with Arthur an opportunity Brandon had to take to increase his chances of ever getting out of this place. Yet, Arthur deserved to be punished for the evil he caused. It was his turn to face justice after all years of absence.

"You wouldn't have done any of it if he had been there for you in the first place!" I stated. Brandon knew I was right. Still, it didn't justify putting him behind bars for Brandon's sake. But that was what Arthur Barlowe wanted himself...

"Fuck, Beverly... I just... I can't." Brandon breathed, expressing hopelessness and inconvenience. I led his hands up, kissed his knuckles to arrow his skin with motivation.

"But you can, Brandon." I whispered. Brandon sighed again, closed his eyes for a beat, and bit his lower lip in hesitation.

"Don't you realize how unsound it is? I could be walking straight into a trap. Maybe it is all just a set-up. What if the evidence in court won't last? What if they put me on death row now that I'm old enough? What if I say something I'm not supposed to?" He ranted, giving me three more reasons not to go on with this chaos. But I refused to give up. This was Brandon's one chance, and I wouldn't let him waste it.

"They can not put you on death row! You were still under aged by the time of the offences. And why would your father do such a thing just now after all these years? People change, Brandon. Maybe your father truly has," I explained.

"Let him make it up to you if that is what he wants." I examined him with my eyes, allowed him even more time to think about what I said.

"Just... Imagine what it would feel like to be freed. Getting your name cleared. Imagine living the rest of your life outside these gates. Just imagine... living it with me, Brandon."

I moved closer to him and released his hands to cup his face with my comforting palms. Brandon's eyes flickered, and his mouth twitched as he breathed in with realization. It was all I needed. I needed him to understand that there was a chance there could be a happy ending even for someone like him.

Brandon leaned to the side and kissed my hand still caressing his flushed cheek.

"There is nothing I want more." He breathed against my skin, finally confirming he was thinking about doing this no matter how crazy it was.

I felt my eyes tearing up, his appearance before me turning slightly blurry. I sniffled as I smiled. One part of me relieved. One part of me terrified. But I wanted this. For Brandon. For me. It was worth every risk.

"Then all you have to do is lie." I whispered. His forehead now leaned against my own, and a tear peacefully traced down my cheek. I wasn't supposed to cry. I was supposed to remain strong in front of Brandon and build his confidence by bracing him in this matter.

But it was just too overwhelming for me. I cared for Brandon more than anyone. He was the love of my life, and this was a chance for me to be with him.

Truly be with him.

Brandon stroked the tear away from my face, his thumb lingering on my cheek to bring me comfort and love. Then he smiled gently, blinked into my eyes before he parted lips.

"Alright, Beverly... I'll do it..."