Lies #4: Victim

Chapter 8

"Okay," Terrence looked down at the ground. He took a moment before speaking again. "Yeah, I killed Dilara. After Olaf got killed, I decided to make a run for it. Everyone else stayed backstage to split into groups so they could find you, Valerie, Remus, and Jerry- everyone except Dilara. She went after me and before I could leave the stage, she accused me of being the murderer and started attacking me. Neither of us were fighters, so we wrestled a bit before she pulled out a knife." He looked back up at Roman. "I- I didn't know what to do. I was scared she was gonna kill me. So, I tackled her and tried to suffocate her into unconsciousness but... I... I went too far. Then she was dead, and I realized I'd just murdered someone, so I ran. I knew there was another killer out there and that it couldn't be Valerie, so I tried to find her. I was gonna tell her because I knew she'd understand, but then you were there, and I didn't know if I could trust you. So, I didn't say anything."

He... he's a murderer. A real killer. Roman remained quiet, simply staring at Terrence. Terrence looked extremely nervous, as if he feared what Roman might do or say. Neither of them moved or said anything for the longest time before Roman said quietly, "You do realize I have to turn you into the police, right?"

The nervousness displayed on Terrence's face turned into full-blown panic. "Y-You don't have to! It was an accident! I-I'm not like Remus, I didn't kill her because I like killing! She was going to kill me if I didn't do anything! Mistakes happen- please, Roman!" His grip that was still clutching the sword tightened. Is he going to kill me too!? This situation was turning for the worse, and Roman had no idea how to handle it. If I try to knock him unconscious, he'll just cut me into pieces! I have to be careful about this. Murderers couldn't be allowed to roam free; if they got off once, the idea that they might be able to do it again without consequences was likely to come up. I'm so sorry, Terrence... Why did it have to be this way? Why did Roman have to give up the one friend he had? Why do I have to turn on a cute guy like him? "Terrence..." he trailed off. Then he steeled himself, "I'm sorry. But you killed someone, and I can't just let you go. You didn't have to kill Dilara- if you'd just disarmed her, you could've calmed her down."

"Roman, please!" Terrence lifted the sword just a bit, his guard up. "There wasn't anything I could've done! I told you, it was an accident. I'm not gonna risk getting killed for someone else's sake! Please, just believe me, it doesn't have to be this way! When the police arrive, we can tell them Remus did it and we'll both be in the clear."

"You don't get it," Roman shook his head, wishing he didn't have to do this. I can't let him go free, though. Justice must be upheld. He killed someone, and now he has to be pay the consequences. He's a bad guy now. "Terrence... you murdered someone, whether it was intentional or not. There are laws in place for a reason. You could've resolved things with Dilara peacefully, but you didn't. You killed another human being."

"N-No!" His friend took another step away from him. Terrence then scowled. "Alright, fine! But if I'm guilty for killing someone, then you are too! I killed someone accidentally, and you're apparently responsible for your brother going insane. That sounds about equal weight of guiltiness, don'tcha think? So, if you turn me in to the police, then you should do the same to yourself!" Seemingly proud of catching Roman in hypocrisy, he raised an eyebrow. He's right... if he should go to jail, so should I. Clenching his hands into fists tightly, Roman sighed. "Yeah. So, we have a deal then? I'll turn myself in and claim to have murdered Jerry, while you do the same for Dilara."

Another moment of tense silence stretched between them. Terrence stared at him, his jaw slightly ajar, his eyes confused and slightly sad-looking. His pride and anger faded, and he finally said, "Roman, I... I didn't mean that. I just don't want to go to jail- please, you can understand that, right? I didn't kill Dilara because I hated her or because I'm evil, I did it to make sure I lived!" Closing his eyes for a few moments, he whispered, "Please."