Bound by Darkness

Chapter 6: The Fragile Balance

Vincent's commitment to change as well as the new purpose he found in his camaradarie with those in need became the basis of his every day. This community center was more than just a place for work for Vincent; it was an asylum for him, where he found comfort and meaning. Nearly every day, Vincent went for a variety of activities—organizing events, meeting therapy groups, and counseling those who are in distress. It was only during those moments when he was helping people to fight their own devils that Vincent began to realize the extent of human misery and the existence of the human spirit's resilience.

Lily never quivered.- She was the love of his life. She was the one who always encouraged him to try and to go. The bond between them was very strong, and they were the ones who brought direct change into other people's lives by working with them. The cord strengthened as it widened into a strong and steady love. What made Vincent take the risk was his relation with Lily, he was able to connect on a whole different level such as fears, hopes, and dreams.

One night, after an extremely emotional session in the center, Vincent and Lily made up their minds to go for a walk by the river. There was a sunset and it was so beautiful that it was shadowed over the water by the golden hue of the setting sun. They walked as they would, in peaceful quietness, the only sounds being the gentle lapping of the river against the shore and the distant hum of the city.

"Ever wondered what comes next?" Lily questioned leading to the interval in conversation. She shifted her gaze from one to the other and admired the sunset reflected in her eyes.

Vincent beamed softly. "All the time. There was a point when I couldn't see a future for myself at all. But now, with you, I feel like anything is possible."

Lily squeezed his hand. "You've come a long way, Vincent. I'm proud of you."

Vincent experienced a surge of thankfulness and affection for Lily. She was the one who held him down; even through the darkest times, she was his star. The more they were walking, the more Vincent was feeling the calm and happiness that he had not had in his life before.

Nevertheless, this unexpected harmony didn't last long. One day, when Vincent was finishing a counseling session, he saw a man hanging around the entrance to the community center. Somehow, that man seemed somewhat familiar to him. Vincent felt his heart sink when he spotted the man—it was Mark, a person that came from Vincent's past, a victim of Vincent's previous life as a predator.

Mark was like a specter from the past that was a very hard time Vincent did not want to remember. Vincent felt a cold sweat all over his body as he came up to him. "Mark," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "Why are you here?"

Mark's eyes had both idiom and contemptoday "I heard you were playing the good guy now, Vincent. Thought I’d see it for myself."

Vincent's saliva was no longer in his throat. He was aware that this would happen eventually, but he hadn't expected that it would be so soon. "I am changing, Mark. I am making every possible effort to amend for that I did."

Mark glanced at him. "Do you really believe that time can reverse? Can we ever forget any of us what you did to us?"

Lily, who had been working in the next room, noticed the strained atmosphere and came up to Vincent. "Is everything OK?" she inquired, as her eyes flicked from Vincent to Mark.

Vincent took a deep breath. "Lily, this is Mark. He's... A person I’ve wronged.

Lily voiced her hand to the boy. "I am Lily. Vincent has told me some fragments of his life. I understand that it doesn't wipe away the wrong but oh, he is sincerely working on his mistake"

He paid no attention to her hand, his eyes still locked on Vincent. "Change? People like you are not even capable of changing, Especially when you are a terrible person."

Vincent also suffered his cruel remark. He was well aware that it wouldn’t be an easy task to be reaccepted and that Mark was furious about that. "I don’t believe you have to forgive me," Vincent murmured softly. "But I am striving to be a better man. I am trying to assist others right now."

Mark’s face became stern. "We will undoubtedly find that out," he said as he turned and walked away, leaving Vincent and Lily in the dusk.

Lily looked at Vincent with much concern, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you?"

Vincent nodded, though his heart was still beating like a drum. "I will be. Thanks for relying on my Lily. Without you, I would be a scatterbrain."

She beamed a nice look; her eyes were sparkling with pride. "Vincent, you don’t have to deal with this burden alone. We will get through this together with your patience and my company."

Vincent left Mark braced upon the uneasy yet resolved to change. He knew his former existence would keep showing itself in his future, but his new one needed to be more developed. With Lily next to him, he was more unwavering in his resolve to move upward.

A set of arduous days passed. Vincent was deeply troubled by the emerging dread that Mark’s comeback evoked in him. He spent his time and energy at the farmers' markets, doing caretaking and coaching on mindfulness hoping that it would be the key to his inner peace. He began to undertake additional tasks, such as running workshops on coping strategies and trauma treatment, and also coaching the ones in a more difficult situation.

Soon later, Vincent and his wife Lily, after a series of tiring days, decided to relax a bit outside on the small porch of their residence. There was a slight chill to the evening air and the sky was unfallible, with scattered stars in it. Vincent propped himself back on the chair and let out a long, deep breath.

"I’ve been thinking a lot about what Mark said," Vincent confessed. "I mean, he’s kinda right. I’ve done damage that is irreversible and the past is what it is. I can’t take it back."

Lily looked at him, being gentle yet firm. "No, you are right. But from now on, you will write your kind of story. You’ve done so many good things in your entire life, Vincent. It’s the choices which you make today that will define who you are."

Vincent parted from his reverie and let his eyes rest on her. "I know you are correct. Yet... It’s just... it’s almost as if I don't really believe I deserve this second chance."

Lily squeezed his hand, her touch being warm and comforting. "Vincent, every person deserves an opportunity to make positive changes. You have come quite a long way out yourself. And letting the past go is the best thing you can do for yourself."

Vincent\'s heart was full of gratitude and love when he held her hand tightly. But, he also knew that this new path would be fraught with difficulties. With his beloved Lily standing by his side, though, it looked like any obstacle was within his reach.

Different wishes turn things into other ones while Vincent was still so much at work every day in the community center. He was like a mentor and helped the people that have been through trauma, and people saw him as that. His own experiences gave him a unique perspective, allowing him to connect with others on a deeper level.

In one specific occasion, Vincent was the moderator of the support group session when a guy he recognized hung out with the crowd. It was Mark. Of course, Vincent's heart beat faster, but he did not lose his composure. He knew that this was a moment where he showed Mark that he was really set on change.

Mark approached Vincent after the session. His look was unsure, and he didn't look as steady as he always has seen earlier. "I couldn't tell if you were really different from before," Mark said trying not to show his emotions. His voice was still reserved. "I just wanted to be sure."

On behalf of Mark, Vincent made a conforming nod, that weighting his words too much he even seemed a bit sad. "Mark, I try. What I understand so far is that I can't say it just to make you feel better, but I should be showing it every single day, throughout!

For a while, Mark was watching Vincent with a sconce of suspicion. "Frankly, that's not clear. To be honest, I don't know if I can find it in me to say that I forgive you. It looks like you are not doing anything wrong anymore, Vincent. I know it only in a metaphoric sense, though."

Vincent smiled for the first time for a long time. But at the same time, he understood that even though it wasn’t Mark's forgiveness, it was an improvement. "I appreciate that," he said silently. "That reminds me of something beautiful and precious."

Mark nodded and went to Vincent and left behind himself a feeling of rise and an inspired confirmation of will. He knew that his story was not over yet, but he was willing to continue the path of redemption, no matter how painful it is.

Vincent was understanding more and more the inner peace that comes from the heart. He was well aware that the past couldn't be changed, but he was resolute in making the present and the future favorable. He let Lily stand by his side and he felt that nothing was too tough.

Equally, they dealt with their problems and consoled themselves during the tough times, and made merry with the victories, no matter how small. Their bond was deepened by their mutual pursuit and their resolve in changing behaviors and personal perspectives.

Vincent had the feeling of the liberty to grasp the joy and rich possibilities of the future as he stood on the front porch of their tiny little house and gazed over the horizon. He knew that the journey would not be plain sailing, but he was determined to face it with courage and resolve. He thought that the two of them together could manage anything and create a world full of affection, hope, and a beginning allowing the promise of a new one.