I'll Love You, Regardless

2013

"Henry?" Charles asked, over the ear piece.

I stood there, still in shock.

"Henry, is everything alright?" he began to sound panicked.

"I-I.." I stuttered.

"Henry, what did you do? Are you alright?" he asked.

There I was, covered in the Right Hand Man's blood. I just killed someone...

"Ch-charles.." I said, quietly.

"What's wrong Henry?" he asked.

"I th-think I just k-killed s-someone.." I said.

There was silence for a moment.

"Was it in self defense?" Charles asked.

"Yes..." I replied.

"Alright, take a moment to calm down. Breathe in and out," he said.

I inhaled.

I exhaled.

"Are you ready to continue?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm gonna be fine," I sighed.

"Keep going Henry, I believe in you," he smiled.

"I can do this," I whispered.

"Yes, yes you can," Charles whispered back.

I muted my end, and continued on. I killed someone. I, Henry Sitckmin, took someone's life. I couldn't shake it. I sat down for a moment, to breathe for a second. I reminded myself, I have a mission to complete.

I ran into the next room, and saw the leader running for his life to a visible dead end. I sprinted and grabbed him but his heavy gold necklace, accidentally choking him for a second. I released that immedately, I didn't want to kill another person.

I dragged him over to the opening at the back of the airship. 

"You've defeated my right hand man, and you've defeated me," he said.

"And?" I asked.

He sighed," I surender the airship to you."

I was stunned. I was presented with two options:

A. Give the leader to the government and walk a free man

Or

B. Become the leader of the most wanted criminal orgization in the world

I thought for a moment.

"Grab those dummies," I said.

"Why?" he asked.

"Just do it," I snapped.

As we threw the dummies out of the airship, I began to feel a knot in my stomach. Why? Charles. I was betraying the sweetest human on earth. 

I unmuted myself, "Charles?"

"Oh my god! Are you alright after THAT fall?" he panicked.

"Charles.." 

"What is it Henry??" He began to sound even more panicked.

"Charles, I'm sorry. I couldn't pass this oppurtinty up," I said, before muting myself.

"Henry! What do you me-"

I knew that was when they spotted the dummies.

"Henry! How could you? I believed in you!" Charles cried.

I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled the ear piece off and threw it out of the airship.

"Henry!!" I heard vaugely. 

My heart wrenched, it was Charles.  

I reminded myself that I was the leader of the Toppat Clan now, I'll be happy soon. 

"Reginald," the previous leader said.

"Henry," I said, as he gave me a top hat.