Bound by Darkness

Chapter 3: The Shifting Sands of Doubt

In his hideout, Vincent's days turned out to be no less difficult than those of his prisoners, and the weeks seemed to melt in a whirl of colors Vincenia had built his life to be an example of the exactitude that could only be matched by scalet languages. Where every move was well planned where every move was frustrated only looked the same and it was supposed to stay that way. And although this scenario could barely happen, his terror likewise became the cause.

Every day, right from the morning, Vincent took care of Lily giving her food and having conversations with her. In the beginning, their conversations were forced and more or less cheerful, but over time, they began to be more open to each other. Lily used to share the sweetest tales of her childhood, dreams, and the people she had once helped. Whereas, Vincent was revealing experiences that he didn't share with anyone else about his own life and what scares him the most in the moments of silence.

Lily listened with Vincent to this empathy in a way that he had never experienced before. She listened and she did not judge him for what he had done, even though he had been wrong, was right. Instead, she showed that she recognized the pain that was so deep down. It was that recognition that clothed the first-sown doubt in Vincent's mind.

In that very evening when the lazy orange sunlight trembled on the walls as the sun hid behind it, Vincent gingerly positioned himself on Lily's left. She had mercury the whole day, and spinned away [her] eyes, as lost sometimes in her own thoughts. The sight of her made him feel a gnawing worry inside the need of comprehension was urging him hence, though the feeling was too foreign for him to grasp it.

"You're okay," he asked, in a questioning voice that was contrary to his natural tone.

Lily looked up her eyes meeting his. There was a sorrow that resonated in his chest when he saw her like that. "Long moments spent reflecting about as tersely as life passes us by," she murmured softly, "that is what I was doing. The one event can determine the course of the rest of your life."

Vincent nodded, knowing full well that there was more to it than he let on. "Absolutely," was his reply. "A single event is enough to alter everything."

Lily gave a deep sigh, her back slightly curved. Question: Have you ever thought about what you could be doing now if your life were different? If you had chosen different things?

Vincent gazed at her, the question still ringing in his mind. He had only resigned himself to the fact that his life was over. A brief consideration: whether or not I was right caught him off guard in Lily's presence. She was the person who stood firm by his side, however, thus indirectly opening the door to himself to think about change.

"I am not sure, " he revealed, unable to express his voiced feelings. "It was too scary to have allowed time for thinking out loud."

Lily reached out her hand and put it on his. The touch was soft, almost like a soothing feeling. "Vincent, it's not so late yet. You can always choose differently."

Her words said would be the only things left in the air after some time. Vincent was overwhelmed by the mix of feelings. The darkness that had been the major characteristic of his life continued to exist but it was then mingled with an element of hope. He could hardly accept it, in fact.

When the days turned into weeks, Vincent's personal conflict grew more intense. He was in a battle between what he had been familiar with and the possibility of something else. By Lily's presence, he was consistently reminded that change was possible and that he was not restricted to his past.

One night, Vincent, without being able to fall asleep, was at the door of Lily. He heard the sound of her breath, which was stable and quiet. At that moment, he made his decision. He would take her back to the city. It was risky, but he could not keep her in confinement forever. So he might just become a new man again.

The journey back to the city was tense and silent.

Vincent was driving with a badly racing mind of things which are on his list. Lily was silently sitting next to him, with her eyes glued to the road ahead. On their arrival in the city, Vincent pulled over to the side of the road, and then he turned to face her.

"You can leave," he said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I'm sorry for everything I've put you through."

Lily stared at him, her heart relieved but at the same deprived with sadness. "Thank you, Vincent," she said softly. "I dare you to find light in the darkness."

After that, she opened the van door herself and walked away into the dark. Vincent was watching her go, losing his sense of possession. He had allowed her to leave, but her influence was present. She had given him a unique experience equal to the ones he gave to others, and now he had to determine if he would move towards the light or get stuck in the dark like he had for his entire life.