To Trust A Sinner

[Setting: The Office]

Silence was deafening. But the words that left Henry's mouth was even worse, echoing in William's head like a recurring nightmare. 

"Y-you what?"

William stared at Henry, his heart rate speeding up, feeling the blood rush through his veins and drumming in his ears. But he didn't say anything. There was nothing to say. The truth was out. He said it.

It was the right thing to do...telling Henry that is. Killing Charlie wasn't. What he did was so wrong and he can't take it back; he can't undo his actions. Wishing death upon someone was one thing but acting upon those wishes is another.

What made William kill the person Henry loved the most is unknown even to him. But he regrets it. Every single part of him really does. He knows no one would believe that though. Who would believe a murderer?

If there were a way he could go back in time and stop himself from driving up to 3 year old Charlie and killing her, he would. He'd do it in a heartbeat. If only he remembered that there are consequences when it comes to things like this. There is no excuse for killing a child.

There is no excuse for killing Henry's child.

It took William weeks to even consider telling Henry. The police never caught him, which was just pure luck on his side. However, he knew he had to tell Henry sooner or later. Keeping it from him and seeing him at work everyday drove him insane. Every night, all he'd replay in his head was the moment that knife - his knife - went through Charlie's back, his bony hands clamped over her mouth as muffled whimpers filled the air.

He still remembers the sensation of pulling the blade out of her and stabbing her again a total of two more times, blood spilling onto his clothes and hands. Wet and warm and a feeling he'll never be able to forget. Dark as it was, he can still vividly see the way she slumped over in his arms, all life gone from her tiny little body.

A life that he took.

A life that can't be brought back.

"Henry..." William said, caution in his voice. 

The shorter man shook his head, disbelief written on his face. It then contorted to one of disgust and his brown eyes met William's, a flurry of emotions going on behind them, like they're battling over which one gets to take over. "Is this some sick joke?" He spat, but his voice wavered.

William opened his mouth but closed it again. What he says now and everything after that can and will effect his friendship with Henry. He's gotta be careful. 

Henry rose his eyebrows, awaiting an answer from the man in front of him. Why would anyone joke about his daughter's death? His best friend would never. 

"I...I didn't mean to-"

"So you did." William could practically hear Henry's heart shattering in the silence that followed. There was too much silence going on. Staring into his eyes, he watches as his friend, his brother, the person he cares about most in this whole world, falls apart right in front of him.

Maybe he hasn't broken down in sobs yet, though William can just see it happening behind the glassy eyes that acted like windows to what he truly felt.

Henry's emotions were impossible to read, but he could catch them all the same. He wasn't exactly trying to hide them from William, but more like each emotion washed over each other in waves. William could tell that he wanted to cry, but his hands shook beside him and his jaw was clenched and there was a hint of fear in his chocolate brown eyes. 

William sucked in a breath. "I know what I did was wrong-"

It was no surprise that he was cut off yet again. "What you did wasn't just wrong, William." Henry saying his name was like getting slapped across the face.