Episode 10: Beauty broken

“Why do you even bother? Don't you realize that this world isn't worth saving?”

“You are wrong son...”

“No Dad! I see the world, I see it for what it is! Just a hell hole that we are all forced to live in!”

“Hadrian... A person will see only what they choose to see. There is so much beauty in the world; beauty that is worth every effort to be protected. I pray that you will someday find something beautiful... something that you will want to protect and cherish... for eternity.”

“Something beautiful... Can you still see that beautiful world of yours now? Or have I left you in darkness...” Hadrian muttered softly as he chased away the voices and images of times long ago.

Slowly, he grazed his fingertips over the eroded etching of the name Virgo upon a rough, black gravestone. Two years had passed since Hadrian's last visit to his father's grave. However, to Hadrian, it felt as though centuries had crawled by.

Something beautiful...

A ghostly whisper echoed through his mind. Suddenly, a strong sense of grief and pain swelled within him, consuming him. He had to kneel down upon the moist ground as he gasped violently for air. No matter where he looked, images of Elena's lifeless emerald eyes blinded him.

I'm sorry father... In you name... I destroyed something beautiful...

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Numbly, Isabel laid upon her royal four post bed. Recent events were all slurred in her mind to one jumbled and hazy dream. At times she felt lucent and wanted to break free from her invisible shackles. But it was no use, no matter where she went, they would always be following; the mindless bodies animated by every whim of the crafty old Bastard.

Twenty two years... I lived my puppet life; happily playing the intricately crafted role of the “princess”. Hot tears began to streak down her disheveled face.

Roughly, Isabel passed the back of her right hand across her face. Pathetic... the princess is crying... she feels sorry for herself...

Suddenly, there were several brisk knocks at her door. “I said I don't want to see anyone!” Her voice came out horse and cracked from lack of use.

“Mr. Ritter would like to see you in the study.” A muffled man's voice escaped from the doorway.

“I SAID I DON'T WANT TO SEE THE BASTARD!!!” Damn him! Damn him for using me! I hate you Walter Ritter!

Abruptly, the sound of a gun shots shocked all of Isabel's sense; sending her scrambling against the corner of the room. From amidst the gun smoke, the silhouette of an old man appeared at the shattered doorway.

“This isn't how I raised you Ibby. Now behave yourself like a lady and get out of there!” Walter's commanding voice boomed within Isabel's ear.

Further angered by her father's brutish behavior, Isabel stood up from the ground and stared steadily into his keen green eyes. “Who are you? I didn't know my father was nothing more than an low life criminal!”

Walter merely scoffed at Isabel's biting words and replied calmly: “I am who I've always been Ibby.”

“STOP CALLING ME IBBY!” Isabel snapped back while frantically eying the room for something to use to lash out at the monster before her.

“Look at you Ibby. Haven't I always told you violence begets violence?”

Walter began to chuckle as he signaled to one of his men standing besides the doorway. The man stepped forward and produced a stack of papers from a briefcase that he was holding.

“I heard rumors that you've been quite interested in the 'underworld' lately. Gosh Darlin', all you had to do was ask Daddy and I'd been able to give you all the information you needed. Well... Since you've got quite a bit of time on your hands right now, I suggest you read this. Go on... take it...”

Walter extended the pile of paper towards Isabel. Hesitantly, she took them from his hand. “That's a good girl. Now you take your time. Since everything is out in the open I thought I make your life even easier by giving you Hadrian's complete story. After you are done reading, I'd like to hear what are your final opinions on Hadrian Vigro.” Walter let out another chuckle as he turned around and began to walk out of Isabel's room.

In a shaky voice she called out: “What... what happened to Hadrian?”

Walter turned around and with a complete pleasant and innocent face he replied: “Damned if I know... I've been looking for that boy is myself.”

“Your lying! You killed him didn't you?” Isabel snapped harshly.

Walter let out a sigh and in a calm voice he answered: “You know Ibby, you've gotta learn to trust me again. I'm really not that bad. You go and read those papers and then you'll know what the face of real evil looks like.”

As Isabel watched her father and his men disappear from her room she looked down at the document. Upon the cover page were the following bold words:

Name: Hadrian Virgo

Birthday: May 19th 1977

Charges: over 30 accounts of first degree murder...