A Friend Like You

Sheriff Sam Waters

“So how often does he… you know? Is it just when he’s drunk or -”

“It’s almost every day now. I can't remember the last time I went out in the public without any bruises on my body. It’s embarrassing that I have run out of excuses to explain to my friends and colleagues how I happen to be in the middle of an accident every time, but that’s not the worst part. It’s why he’s doing this all of a sudden. We had what a few people have – three years of a perfect marriage and it comes down to this. He just keeps blabbering ‘this isn't the way it was supposed to be, you ruined everything, you are the reason for everything’. Tell me Sam, you’re closest to a friend he’s ever had, do you have the faintest idea what all this is about or how have I ruined it all?”

  The sheriff could see a tear roll down her eye and mash up the make-up to unveil the black eye. Her face bore reminiscent lash marks where she’d been hit – slapped and even punched multiple times. He could only imagine what lay beneath the camouflage of the dress she had so gracefully covered her body with. She looked her worst self – only a fraction of what she once used to look like, at least to someone who had known her in her prime.

  “I’m sorry I wouldn’t know.” Sheriff Waters lied. It wasn’t the first time that he had lied in his seven year career, but it surely was one of the worst experiences. He did have more than a faint idea about what his childhood friend was going through but telling Daenerys would only make it worse. A successful young entrepreneur and a very famous name in the town, Harold had everything a man could ever wish for including a childhood sweetheart for a wife. And they did have an incredible marriage – Harold and Daenerys. But lately Harold had resorted to beating the crap out of his wife as it was the only sense of control he seemed to have over things otherwise going haywire in what was till now a normal, loving married life. Sheriff Waters had to see him and get to the bottom of it.

  “Listen,” He began in a sympathetic tone. “Go stay at a friend’s for couple of days. Meanwhile, I’ll try and talk some sense into his head. Rest assured it’s only a phase and it will pass.”

 “It better or I am afraid I will be left with few choices. And I’m considering every one of them as we speak.”

  “It won’t come to that. Believe me; I’ll put an end to it.”


***

Daenerys

  Daenerys had come to Pentos when she was 15. Her father was a geologist and was posted there. Initially she had been worried about leaving what had always been a home to her. She had quite a few friends back at Riverrun. But her first view of the town transformed her prejudices into promises of an incredible future. It was a small town in the valley protected by the Great Northern Mountains, divided into two parts by the Brandywine which was harsh and resilient at the top, cutting through the rocks, making way, dominating, and calm and serene at the plains easing into the lives of the inhabitants, crowned wherever she could be by mighty structures of iron and concrete. Daenerys never thought she would like it so much here. For a moment she even felt as if her mother was around in the woods, the mist, and the snow-capped hilltops. It was the first time she had felt it so strongly ever since her mother had died. One thing was for sure though – she was not going to be alone here.

Harold

  Harold had been born and raised in Pentos. His father was one of the town’s renowned doctors and his mother a socialite. So he was alone for the major part of his childhood but for the maids and tutors whom he didn't like at all.

  Sam came as a huge relief – finally a full stop to his melancholy life. Sam was his neighbor and when his parents thought it was time they started his education, he started coming over to learn from the same tutors. The one thing that Harold liked the most about him was his incredibly analytical observation skills. He would make small, simple things seem unnaturally magical to a normal person’s eyes. It was as if they were already there; all you needed was a Sam to make them visible. Harold started going to the school at 12. He was dejected when he found out that Sam’s parents wanted to wait another year. And that one year changed everyone’s life irrevocably.

  At school Harold found to his utter surprise that he was already famous. Only people who had connections could get their children admitted directly to higher grades without any prior formal education into what was arguably the town’s most prestigious school. And the word spread quickly that Harold was one of the few lucky bastards. He had a fan following even before he set his foot in the school. Apparently everyone wanted to be his friend. He loved it at first – feeling wanted, adored, loved by so many people. Gradually though, he came to realize that they were just a bunch of superficial sycophants who would ditch him at the first sign of trouble. Soon he got bored and shunned them one by one or made them shun him. He was back to phase zero of his life. In the meantime, he made a peculiar observation. Sam’s effect, he thought. Only one student hadn't attempted to get in touch with him. Rather he looked like he didn’t give a tiny rat’s ass about this new spoiled brat. You could tell that he wasn’t doing it intentionally; he was just like that. Harold had heard stories – sick stories about him – in bits and pieces from about everyone he came across in the school. What they told him was so pathetic that he declined to believe it. The word was that the boy – Bran he was called – had burnt his own house down and in the event killed his own parents. They said eye witnesses saw him running out of the house wearing an expression of sheer rage. The juvenile court dismissed the case citing the little evidence mustered by the county sheriff as circumstantial and ordered for a psych evaluation. The reports said the boy didn’t say a word, which means he was in a shock and his account of events as recorded by the sheriff might just be true. So finally he was acquitted of the charges but in the eyes of the town’s inhabitants, he still was a psychopathic murderer. So every kid in the town knew the story and a unanimous regulation passed that they aren’t allowed anywhere near the mental kid. And so Harold knew for a fact that he wasn't going to be alone for the rest of his school life. He was going to be the first kid to break the most dangerous rule.

  “You mind if I walk along?” Harold had just caught his breath after synchronizing his feet with Bran’s pace.

  “You know who I am, right?” said Bran without turning his face as if he was talking to himself.

  “I know enough to know it’s not true what they say about you. Is it?”

  “Treasure hunting, are we? Look if you’re here to confirm some wild theory of yours, I do mind your walking along.” Bran said coldly.

  “You could have just said yes or no. One word.” Harold stopped walking.

  “Does it really matter what I say?” Bran stopped and turned back. “If you can promise that my saying anything will change what everyone thinks I am, I will tell you everything.”

  “It’s ok; you don’t have to tell me everything. Yes or no, that’s all. And for what it’s worth it can change what I think about you. It’s a start.”

  “No. I didn’t do what they think I did. It was an accident. It-“

  “There you go. Now was that so hard.” Harold interrupted. He knew Bran was innocent from the moment he’d started talking.

  “What, just like that?”

  “Just like that. Life’s too short to waste time on conversations that bring no joy. I’m Harold by the way.”

  “Yeah, I know who you are. I’m Bran.”

  “And now I know who you are. See you in the class tomorrow?”

  “Sure.”

  Their friendship began, as Harold put it, just like that. For someone who got to know him, Bran wan an amazingly talented young lad. He lived at this ranch in the woods which he’d inherited from his father. All that time he was alone, he’d written tons of poems and stories. Harold had read all of them by the time their term came to an end. They would spend most of their free time roaming around in the woods, even hunting occasionally. It saved them from the scornful stares of the civilized people of the town as the place was mostly deserted except for a few huntsmen who resided in the nearby cabins. They’d talk for hours about school, people of the town and often the conversations drifted to the girls they liked in the school. Bran would tease Harold about being every girl’s fantasy and every time Harold would laugh it off as a joke even though he knew there was an element of truth in it.

  “So just hypothetically, if you had to pick one as in you must or you die. Who’d that be?” asked Harold, expecting to pick on his friend.

  “I’d die. And I’m glad you acknowledged its probability by using ‘hypothetically’.” It was the truth. It was one hell of a task getting them to even talk to him let alone going out.

  “Oh come on now. Ok, you name her and I’ll make it happen. That’s a promise. “

  “You can’t. Nobody can. And honestly I don’t like any of them. I am not supposed to.”

  “Alright. You set such high standards that sometimes it feels like you’re not human at all. If some day you do feel like changing your mind, just say the word and I will make it happen. I give you my word.” And he meant it. It was the least he could do for his only friend at the school.

  “You just don’t give up, do you? But I guess that attitude of yours is the sole reason I could talk the way I did on the very day I met you. So I guess I owe you that. If I ever feel attracted to a girl, you’ll be the first one to know. And gods forbid if it ever happens, you are in for a real pain in the ass my friend.”

  “Sure that. Mental note made.”

Sam

  Sam started school a year after Harold did. Again, thanks to his parents’ well established social network he was admitted in Harold’s class. Harold, it seemed, had almost forgotten that Sam existed ever since he started going to school. But his fears subsided as soon as he saw him again. He greeted Sam with the same enthusiasm and Sam knew in an instant that his old friend hadn’t forgotten. He could see the reason why Harold hadn’t been in touch lately. He’d known before as there was hardly a person in the town who didn’t know about Harold’s alleged affair. Even after his parents’ constant scolding and threatening, Harold just wouldn't listen. He’d run away and not return home for days. Finally his father had given up but his mother kept brainwashing him every now and then. Sam knew all about it and he had no intention for stealing this new image Harold had made for himself. He was introduced to the mental kid the very first day. To his surprise he found that the boy was eerily polite for a psychopathic murderer. But you never know when these people would lose a nerve and create havoc out of thin air, his mother had warned. So he tried and kept interaction with Bran to a minimum. It was becoming tougher every day to just bluntly ignore him especially with Harold around trying to bridge the gap. What made it worse was the fact that he wasn't losing his nerve. If anything Sam found Bran as kind a kid he had ever known. So he just waited for the nervous breakdown, he knew it would come and something terrible would happen that day. He often warned Harold about it but Harold would laugh it off saying “Well, I’d love to see that mate. You see the kind of person he is, he wouldn't get mad even if an entire mob beat him up to pulp for no reason at all. It actually happened. So if he has a nervous breakdown, it could only mean that something is really wrong with the universe.” Even so, Sam kept his guard on, just in case. He waited and waited, but nothing happened like his mother had told him. Despite his defensive shield, he’d started liking Bran.

Daenerys

  Daenerys was overwhelmed by the hospitality with which she was greeted on her first day at school. It was a ritual or so she believed and happened whenever a new student came. First she was introduced by the teacher and then rest of the class introduced themselves. She hardly remembered all the names in anxiety and excitement, but one name was etched in her mind like no other. Bran didn’t do anything different from the rest of the class and yet he was there in her head like a resilient parasite. He wasn’t attractive per se. She could tell because she had been around quite a few of her own to know that the feeling is just an adolescent urge. And this wasn’t it, there were some really handsome boys in the class and she could tell the difference in her feeling towards them and him.

  

  As time passed, she had made quite a few friends in the class. Meanwhile she also came to know about this rebel gang of the class. Apparently their story, particularly Bran’s was like some ancient literature of the town. Every kid in the town seemed to know it by heart. She had to keep her emotions at bay for a while as none of her friends would go near any of the three. The girls secretly liked Harold, but ever since he joined forces with the psychopath they gave up on him. He was not so bad himself, they said about Harold. It’s just the company he keeps. Soon she would put that statement to test.

  She was still busy packing her bag after most of the class had left. She was out practicing for the upcoming singing auditions for the Founders’ Day when the bell had rung. She quickly put all her mess in the bag and by the time she started walking out almost whole school was deserted. She saw Bran and Sam walking past her in the direction of the woods. She badly wanted to talk to him, to listen to him speak. Somehow she managed to gain control over herself and saved it for another day. All of a sudden she realized that she had forgotten her geometry set in the class. She slapped her forehead in disgust and started walking back into school. By the time she reached the classroom she was almost running and just at the door WHAM! Their heads bumped so hard that for a moment she thought she would faint. And she would have but for the wall. Regaining some balance, and rediscovering her sense organs she found herself saying, “OH! I am so sorry, I really am. I shouldn't have-”

  “No! It’s ok. Of course, I should have known that you’d come back running for this.” Harold said, still clasping his forehead with one hand and holding her geometry set in the other.

  “Oh, yeah thanks and I apologize once again. How did you know it was mine?” She wasn't sure what to say.

  “Well for one I found it where you sit.” Unintentionally and unknowingly they had started walking out together.

  “Oh right. Stupid question. Thanks anyway.” They were near the gate now and she knew the roads they were about to walk diverged there.

  “You’re welcome. So you’re going home then?” Of course you dumbass. He still waited for a reply.

  “Yes. And you’re going to join your friends I guess?” Even she wanted to go with him but she knew better than saying it out loud.

  “Um… Yeah… Or I could walk you home if you’d like? My friends will be more than happy to wait.”

  “Er… Sure. I could do with some company.”

  She realized that Harold wasn’t so bad after all. Moreover, he was close with Bran. Maybe someday god would be so kind to grace her with an awkward coincidence. Gradually she started liking Harold for what he was and not just for the fact that he would help her get in touch with his best friend. What started with a head bump became a routine now. After school Harold would make up an excuse to go home and walk with Daenerys every day. He often talked about Sam and Bran. She listened to the parts about Bran with utmost interest. Harold told her how they’d met and how they got to become friends; about their day long adventures in the woods; about his poems and stories; about how he felt at home whenever he was at his place. She was so fascinated by all this that she would keep asking questions about him. At times even Harold would raise an eyebrow or two when she got a bit too curious. But the moment would pass and they’d retract back to their more normal conversations.

Harold

  He was tired and nervous. He was about to tell his friends about Daenerys. He had started liking her ever since the day she first came to school. She was as beautiful a girl he had ever seen. When she'd introduced herself, entire class  had been hypnotized by her voice. No one moved a muscle until she was done. Every time he tried to talk to her, his image would get in the way and the urge would subside until finally he mustered up all he had to make the most of the opportunity that came his way. He was almost sure she liked him too but doubted it when he remembered her reaction whenever they had talked about Bran. But he was sure it was nothing to be worried about. Bran would understand.

  “Where’s Sam?” Harold asked in hurry to get it over with. Bran was sitting by the window putting words to his imagination.

  “Just left. He had a thing at home. Why do you look so - ?”

  “Exhausted? Oh I ran all the way here. So he’ll be back anytime soon?” Harold cut him off quickly.

  “Not today I guess. What’s the hurry? You’ll see him tomorrow at the school.”

  “Oh, nothing. Just wanted to tell you guys something. But of course it can wait.” Just as he started walking out –

  “Funny you should mention, but I think even I have to tell you something. Just you, though.” Harold stopped at the door and thought for a moment. No, it can’t be. A voice repeated that in his head at least ten times before he finally found words in his throat.

  “Yeah, sure. Tell me.” God, please don’t do this.

  “Remember when you asked me if I liked any girl and you said you’d make it happen?” Harold could see a glimmer of hope in his friend’s eyes.

 “Er.. Yes! Yes I do. And I will. So, who’s the lucky one?” Not her, please god. PLEASE. He was sweating heavily now.

  “It’s that new girl. Daenerys.”

  “WHAT!” He almost exclaimed in shock, but then realizing he quickly changed his tone. “I mean what! That’s great man. That’s good news.”

  “Weird. I know. But I guess it comes with the age. It just happens.”

  “Tell me about it, huh.” He was devastated. He really needed to get out of there. WHY? He wanted to scream out loud. “So I’ll… I’ll see you tomorrow.” He walked quickly towards the door.

  “And remember, the promise.” But by then Harold was already twenty odd paces out of the earshot. He was bursting with rage. Why did you do this god, why? He felt like beating the crap out of the very next person he saw. Unfortunately he found no one for miles. His insides stopped burning as he made his way to home – only to erupt again and destroy everything that came in way.

Daenerys

  She was shocked when Harold finally said it. “Would you like to meet my friends?” She found herself saying yes even before he was finished with his question. He’d asked her to come to the ranch with him after school. She was excited. She didn’t believe it was actually happening. After school she spent a lot of time in the ladies’ room looking at her reflection in the mirror, finding irregularities in her appearance and fixing them. She got out after what seemed like an eternity to find Harold waiting for her.

  It wasn't very far from the town but the walk seemed like it was never going to end. Finally she could see a faint outline of the ranch in the direction Harold pointed his finger.

  “Oh no!” Exclaimed Harold.

  “What?” She was surprised.

  “I guess I left my wristwatch in the washroom. I have to get it back or mother will kill me. Anyway you make yourself at home. You’ll find Bran and Sam if they’ve made it back already. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  “But, what would I-”

  “Don’t worry. What you’re seeing is as safe a place as any in the town. I’ll be back before you can say no.” And off he rushed vanishing into the woods.

  “No.” She whispered. A lame attempt, she thought but it was totally worth it. She was a bit scared. Firstly, she had never been there before. Secondly, she’d heard a lot of weird stories about the woods. She knew none of them were true yet the forest made them sound true. She quickly paced towards the ranch.

  Knock! No answer. She finally pushed it open when no one responded for the third time. It was way too spacious to be called a ranch. From the back window you could see the thin white line that was Brandywine way up the mountains. She imagined what it would be like to wake up to such a view in the morning. She went into what she thought to be Bran’s bedroom. There was stationery everywhere – blank papers, pens, ink, some discarded crumbles, a thick archive of finished works waiting to be read. Click! She heard it. Someone had locked the door. Slowly she started moving towards the hallway. It must be Harold!

  “Harold? I heard you. You can come out of-”

 THUD! She fell to the floor the moment it hit him. It was a wild swing in the air and she felt it might just have killed her. But her eyes were still open, she could still feel the pain in her head. She knew she wasn't dead and that it wasn’t what he wanted. For a moment she felt as if she knew him. She realized to her horror that it was in fact Bran as he picked her up and tied her to a pillar. He had a mask on, but she had watched him enough to know it was him. What she couldn’t understand was why in the name god? Why?

  

  “What’s wrong wit-”

  

  SLAP! SLAP! She was crying in agony now. She tried cursing him but he would slap her before she could say a word. She had never felt this helpless her entire life. Now he started taking her clothes off, rather ripping them off her. She screamed, yelled and used all the strength she had to break free, to run away from this monster but it just wasn’t to be.

             

  KNOCK! KNOCK! Finally her prayers had been answered. But Bran didn’t seem to give up. He hit her again, picked a can of gasoline and made a circle around her. She yelled with all her might but he lit it and jumped out the window. She screamed “HELP! HELP!” She was beginning to faint now. She couldn't breathe anymore, her eyes were giving up and she had lost her voice. She tried again, “HELP ME!” but only a whisper escaped her choking throat. Her eyes were completely shut now. She was going to die. She was going to sleep now. Why Bran? All she wanted was to talk to him. She'd lost every sense of feeling now but agony. She fell but was held hanging by the ropes – as dead as the wood which had burnt to ashes.

  When she opened her eyes, she felt like waking up from a long night’s sleep. She was greeted by half the town including his father, the sheriff, Harold and Sam. Fortunately, she escaped with a few burns on her arms and bruises and minor injuries where she had been hit. Harold and Sam had rescued her moments after she heard the knocking on the door. Everybody had same question – who did this? She thought for a while and asked where Bran was. They said he was already taken into custody. They also said he was found unconscious in the woods without any clothes on. Harold said he didn’t remember how he got there. So she was the only hope if the culprit was to be brought to justice.

  “I er… I didn’t see his face. But I’m sure it was Bran. Yes it was him.”

  Most of the people were nodding as if they already knew. The sheriff made note of her statement as she spoke of how everything happened. And then one by one everyone left except Harold. Her father walked with the sheriff discussing possible charges. Maybe it was after all true what they said. He was a psychopathic killer. She couldn’t believe that she could ever feel the way she did about him before the incident. She looked at Harold as if asking why? What did I do wrong? Harold nodded in sympathy as if saying it’s ok. I’m here for you. She wanted to just get up and hug him tight. He was there by her side even before she was finished with her thought. She place her head on his chest resting it right above his heart. His pulse was elevated and she felt it was the safest place in the world right now.

  She wouldn’t go to the court for she didn’t want to see his face ever again. Harold would stay with her and Sam would bring them updates about the proceedings of the case which she was least interested in. She was just glad to see Harold by her side. Later, her father told her about the verdict that Bran was sentenced into a mental institution for until he was fit to live in a society. She didn't care what happened to him as long as he stayed the hell away from her. Harold seemed a bit upset about the verdict. Naturally, she thought, they were best friends.

Harold

  “How long do you reckon he’ll be there?” He asked Sam.

  “Six months at most. He’s not sick, the doctors will know. And there is no evidence to link him directly. It might just have been someone else.” said Sam with conviction.

  “But the height, build and all the damn description, what about all that? It could easily lead back to me; because if he didn’t do it, there’s not many in the town who match the description. And for god’s sake I hit her. I HIT HER!” He was regretful in his tone to say the least.

  “You had to make it look real. It was the only way the plan would've worked. Don’t worry as far as the town is concerned, nobody will ever believe he’s innocent. Even if he gets out say in a year or so, he will be officially supervised by a caretaker, some distant relative of his. He is not allowed to travel on his own until he’s 21. So rest assured he’s not coming back. Don’t be too hard on yourself; eventually he would have done it. You just saved him some precious time.”

  “You don’t know him at all then. Just tell me are you sure he’ll be out in half a year?” What have I done?! My best friend, oh god!

  “Yes at most a year if things go horribly wrong, which I doubt. And as a matter of fact I do know him, maybe even more than you.”

Sam

  He had tried his best to hide the fact that Bran was never released from the asylum until very recently. It was thirteen years ago that he was sent there. Sam had known all along that it would turn out like that but he couldn't tell Harold because the latter couldn’t possibly live with himself if he’d known that his best friend was going to be held up in a mental institution for the better part of his youth and that too for something he hadn't done. But somehow Harold had got hold of that information and now he was reacting the only way he possibly could. Sam had to go and stop this mess before it got out of everyone’s control.

  “Drunk, are we?” asked Sam as he entered one of the architectural marvels of the town through an unlocked door and saw his friend spread on the couch with a glass of scotch in his hand.

  “Hey Sam! Please help yourself in. So how you been?” He acknowledged the fact that his friend had come but he didn't even turn his face. His mind was somewhere else.

  “Been better. I hear you’re not doing so well.” He said straightaway getting to the point.

  “Oh Sam! Where do I start? But of course you know it all. So, why didn’t you tell me, huh? You should have told me he was never going to be released. You could’ve prevented this mess from happening. Why didn't you tell me?” Now he was looking straight at Sam.

  “I couldn't. After all you’d done to get her; I couldn’t see you ruin it. What good could it have done you?” Sam didn't know what else to say.

  “And look what it did. I can’t stand the sight of her now. She reminds me of the terrible things I did and the guilt becomes more and more painful by the second. I have to get rid of it before I do something terrible again.”

  “But you love her. And it’s not her fault.”

  “That’s what makes it worse. It’s my bloody fault. And I do love her, more than my life. But it’s just… Oh god! What do I do Sam?”

  “Be patient. It’s a phase and it will pass. Take a break from everything and just get yourself together. It will get better I promise. And how the hell did you know?”

  “Oh I was reading this book and suddenly I recognized the writing. It was him. I swear it was him using an alias. So I decided to dig a bit and pull some strings to find out where he was all this time. It led me straight to the mental institution and here I am, the destructor.”

  Sam gave it a thought. Then he remembered what he was here for. “Ok, you wait it out alright. Give it sometime and everything will be fine, I promise.”

  “Oh I wish Sam. I wish.”

Harold

  He had just returned from work. He was stressed and tired. He pulled out a chilled beer from the freezer and sat on the couch to watch TV. Daenerys was still at her friend’s. He was even worse than before. Drunk most of the time he’d call Sam at regular intervals to convey his condition. He knew it wasn’t going to be any better. Finally he came to a decision that if it didn’t change for good in a month he’d take the last option – the easiest way out of it. Sam didn’t approve of it so time and again he’d come and check on him. He was thinking of ways he could end it. Just then the telephone rang.

  “Hello..?”

  “Harold, you need to get here at the ranch as quickly as possible.” It was Sam’s voice.

  “Why? What happened?”

  “We found a body? It looks familiar. Just get here. ”

  “Ok. I’ll be there.”

  A million thoughts rushed through his mind. Who could it be? Was it Bran? God no. Sam’s voice was trembling. He had to get there as quickly as possible. He pulled out his car and throttled it way past the speed limit. When he reached near the woods he could see Sam’s car was parked out. It was going to be the longest walk of his life – the walk to the ranch. It brought back old memories and it was the last thing he wanted. Somehow he managed to survive the walk and finally he spotted the ranch.

  Two men were standing over a body examining it. He made out the familiar figure of Sam and thought the other one to be his partner or assistant. As he got closer Sam turned around and gestured him to stop. He came running towards Harold.

  “I am so sorry, but I think it’s her. I am not sure as of yet-”

  “WHAT! NO. God, it can’t be her. It can’t be her.” He was crying even as he reached the middle of his sentence and rushed towards the body. The body was burned beyond recognition but he found the clothes to be familiar in an instant. He bent and checked her fingers. It was there – the wedding ring. Even the necklace was there. There was no denying now that it wasn’t her. He looked at Sam and nodded. But how did it happen? He had lost every last hope of living now. His entire world had turned upside down in the last two months or so. It was the worst he’d ever felt. If only he could go back in time and make the right choices.

  “As far as I can tell it’s self-inflicted. But then that’s no reason for the body to be lying here. Or maybe there is. Can’t be sure until the lab results are out. Meanwhile we’ll start the investigation by asking around – where she was last seen. Come on, I’ll drive you home.”

  He didn't say a word all the way back to home. He still couldn’t believe how a childhood mistake could come back to haunt him so badly. He was going numb every passing second as if some invisible force was draining every last ounce of feeling out of his body.

***

  Days had passed since that night but he’d hardly moved from the couch. He had survived merely on alcohol and the last few sandwiches left in the refrigerator. He’d lost any sense of time whatsoever. He remembered the old days, when they were a happy couple. And the telephone interrupted. It was a while before he realized it and finally answered.

  “Harold Listen!” It was Sam again. “The lab results are here. And I’m afraid to say it wasn't suicide as we thought. It was probably a murder.”

  

  Harold thought for a while. Murder. But who’d want to kill Daenerys? And why?

  “Harold, you there?”

  “Yes! Yes. But how-”

  “And there’s something else. Again I’m terribly sorry to say, she was raped before they killed her.”

  “WHAT? Who… What!?!”

  “Just come over. I’ll explain.”

  He didn’t even care to change into presentable clothes. He pulled out his car from the garage and went straight to the sheriff’s office. This changed everything. His sense of emotions was coming back with rage and retribution written all over it. Who had dared to touch his Daenerys? All of a sudden his life had a purpose – to nail the damned bastard who’d awakened the dragon.

  “Did you find him? Just tell me the bastard’s name!!” He stormed his way into the sheriff’s office with but one demand.

  “It’s not as simple as that. Have a seat.” Sam said trying to calm the atmosphere.

  “Are you telling me or not? I swear to God I will hunt him down and burn him to hell.” Now every staff member was looking in their direction.

  “Will you sit down and listen to me?” Sam almost yelled in exasperation. Harold yielded finally. “No, we don’t have a name. But we do have a minuscule lead. She was last seen at a restaurant eating lunch with her friends. From there she parted ways and left no trace whatsoever. Here’s something interesting though. One of the waiters says he’d spotted a man staring at her from the corner table. He didn’t order anything except a soft drink and sat staring in her direction for almost an hour and a half. And he came every day and repeated the same routine. The waiter didn’t get his face clearly so we couldn't get a sketch. But he’s positive he’ll recognize him. Do you happen to have any idea who that might be?”

 “How am I supposed to know? I mean she didn’t have enemies. And there is no question of any psychopathic ex-boyfriends.” Suddenly he realized. “Oh wait a minute, could it be-”

  “Are you seriously suggesting that-”

  “Yes. He fits the profile. We have a motive. What else do you need?”

  “But I don’t think he could possibly-”

  “Can’t hurt to show his picture to the waiter. And I’m sure it’s him. It’s more than a hunch.”

  “Alright, just to clear him off the probable suspects’ list, I’ll see if I can get his picture.”

  “Believe me you won’t be able to clear him off. Anyway I have to get going. Call me as soon as you have confirmed it.”

  “Yeah. But where are you going?”

  “I’ve to discuss her funeral arrangements with the church.”

  How did he miss that? It made perfect sense. Finally it was a relief to know Bran wasn’t a saint he thought him to be after all. He checked his tool box. Yes, it will do. He knew where he was staying. It was a rental cottage near the south end of the town. He’d followed him there when he was obsessed with him as he came to know he was recently deinstitutionalized.

  He didn’t even care to knock. He kicked the door wide open. There he was - damned filthy creature.

  “Harold! What a pleasant surpr-”

  “Cut it out, will you? Just answer my question. Did you go to the restaurant every day and sat there watching her?” His hand wrapped tight around the screwdriver in his pocket. Any moment now.

  “Yes, but I just wanted to say-”

  “You filthy bastard. How could you ?!!” He punched him in the face and grabbed his throat pinning him against the wall. “Why did you have to drag her in? She had nothing to do with any of it. If you wanted to get back at me why didn’t you come to me, huh? Why?” He yelled like he had never yelled.

  “But I didn’t-” Bran was trying hard to get some words out but Harold’s fist was clasped tight around his throat.

  “Every second you stay alive is an insult to her soul.” He took out the screw driver and stuck it right in Bran’s abdomen to see blood pour out and stain his shirt. “Die you bastard!”

  “Harold! Oh my god, what did you do?” It was Sam. He pulled him off Bran and almost dragged him out of the house. Fortunately it was dark and the street was deserted. “Just stay here ok. DO NOT MOVE!” And he went inside. Harold thought Bran should be long dead by now.

Sam came out after what seemed like an eternity. His expressions were of horror and disapproval.

  “He’s dead. Do you have any idea what this could’ve cost you had I not been here on time?”

  “Do I look like I care? He deserved this. He fucking raped and burned my wife to death.”

  “This is not justice, just cold blooded revenge. And not to mention the prison sentence you’d have to serve for it.”

  “I just told you I don’t care where I am going now. I got what I wanted. Now I can die at peace.”

  “It just so happens, I care. So just get lost now. I’ll handle it my way. Just go home.”

  “So you’re not going to report it?”

  “No. Just leave. I’ll manage.”

  “Thank you Sam. For everything. I really mean it.”

  “You’re welcome. Now go.”

  He felt as if a heavy load had been taken off his back. He was feeling free now. It was the best he had felt in ages. After all he wasn’t the bad guy in the story.

***

Sam

  Sam had made some tough choices but he never regretted any of them as he always saw a noble cause as his driving force. It had all started when Harold had first expressed his intentions about framing Bran up for what happened at the cabin. At first he’d disapproved of it but later something had changed his mind. The first thing he did after Harold left was go straight to Bran’s ranch.

  “So I’m supposed to get you unconscious with the anesthetic he’ll get me from his dad’s infirmary and he’ll dress up in your clothes and do something weird with her that will eventually bring you down in her eyes. But I said no and it won’t happen.”

  “Well he could have just asked me to step aside. I am more than willing to do it. But it’s Harold we’re talking about. So the worst thing would be accepting what a loser like me throws his way just 'cause he asked for it. Never. I guess he's trying to win her fair and square in his own eyes. So be it. You’ll go and agree to do it. Also give your valuable inputs so the plan doesn't have loopholes. Let everything happen as he wishes it to. I’ll play my part, you do yours. Just be careful she doesn't get a sniff of it.” He said smiling.

  “Are you crazy? It will ruin your life. You could be jailed or even worse institutionalized.”

  “You think my life wasn’t ruined before you two happened? I have seen enough ruins mate. This small one wouldn't make any difference to the heap I've already seen. He was the only one who accepted me without asking the what, when and why of my history. It’s the least I could do.”

  “And what about her? I’ve seen the way you look at her.”

  “Yes, I do like her a lot. Maybe I even love her. But between him and her I’ll always choose him.”

  “Are you even human? Man these things, they just seem nice from a distance – sacrifice and all. You’ll regret once you’re deep into it. Commitments shatter down in the hole my friend. So just think about it once more.”

  “I have and thoroughly so. Just don’t make any mistakes. All the best!”

  “All the best to you too! I hope they don’t come down on you too hard.”

***

  He had gone to see Bran when he was going to be institutionalized. He was so mad at him for making him go along with the plan. Now most of his youth would be wasted among paranoid maniacs. He hated the fact that he could prevent it from happening yet his hands were tied.

  “I swear I’ll go and tell them who actually did it. You can’t just let yourself go through all that man. Not when the actual deserving candidate is enjoying fresh air of freedom. I can’t do it anymore.” Sam was furious. He was on the verge of breaking.

  “You are doing just fine. And you will not ruin it now. Just hang in there. Tell him I’ll be out in six months and will never return to Pentos. You have a good knowledge of law. Make some weird excuse. He must not know that I’m going to be in there for such long time.”

  “You never give up, do you? Ok, I’ll do it. Meanwhile I’ll get your work – or whatever’s left of it – published so you can have some money of your own when you’re out. And no, you don’t get a say in that.”

  “Alright. At least use an alias. Wouldn’t want people to think they’re reading a psychopath.”

  “Ok. Anything else?”

  “No, you've done enough. Just keep it up. I’ll miss you both.”

  “I’ll miss you too.” His eyes were wet when he hugged him for the last time. He hoped not.

***

  Sam would visit him regularly bringing updates about what was happening outside. He kept trying to get him out early but it wasn’t to be. Finally after a lot of string pulling he was able to get a psych re-evaluation and get him out. He’d helped him find a cheap rental near the southern end. Next time when Sam went to see him, he had some real bad news. The plan hadn’t worked as Harold knew about Bran being held up till now.

  

  “She’s getting worse every passing day. He’s lost it completely ever since he followed you the other day. You can stop it all now. Please, just get out of your hood for once.” Sam was as desperate as he sounded.

  “I can stop it, but I’ll have to die. That’s the only way.”

  “Are you crazy? You’ll do no such thing.”

  “I won’t, but someone else will and that’s the only way to put an end to all this – the one final chapter.”

  “I don’t understand. What are you saying? If you won’t, who will?”

  Bran told him how he could make Harold get rid off the gulit he’d been feeling lately and rescue Daenerys - both   with a single stone. “How good are your contacts at the morgue? 'Cause we’ll need a female corpse matching her description. Also tell her she’ll be getting a new life in a new town – probably the Eyrie – with a new name and everything. She won’t say no. You can get her a new identity right?” Sam nodded. “Do you trust your deputies and assistants? 'Cause we’d need them in for Harold to buy it.”

  

  Sam thought for a while and then nodded. “I guess. They don’t ask many questions. It won’t be a problem. But are you sure it will work?”

  “Yes I am. And do you have any better idea to save two people high on suicidal tendencies?”

  “No. So be it then. I’ll pray it works ‘cause I’m putting everything at stake.”

  “And I’m glad for that. Don’t worry, it’ll work just fine.”

  “One more thing, you’ll need a Kevlar vest and a pint of fake blood.” suggested Sam.

  “No. I don’t think so. I want it to be real.”

  “Are you out of your mind? You could easily die.”

  “I’m gonna die eventually. And I trust you. You’ll be just outside to rescue me.”

  “But you never know. What if he kills you in one strike?”

  “That’s the risk we’ll have to take. It has got to be real.”

  “Well if you’re so adamant about it, I promise I won’t let you die.”

  “Now that’s more like it. Ok, you get on with the preparations and tell me when everything’s ready.”

***

  Sam was just outside listening to everything Harold was saying. Finally he opened the door and rushed in the moment Harold had stabbed Bran. As soon as he’d pushed Harold out, he removed the screw driver. Blood was pouring out fast. He took out the first aid and tried to stop the bleeding with bandages. All this time Bran didn’t make a single noise even though he was every bit conscious. He was really playing his part well. Sam took out his cellphone and called for an ambulance immediately. Now all he had to do was send Harold home before the ambulance came in.

  “Hang in there brother. You did great.” He told Bran and went out.

***

  Seven years had passed since he’d last seen Bran. Today he was flying to the Eyrie which was mutually agreed upon as a meeting point for obvious reasons. He didn’t even know where Bran was. He just happened to call Sam one day asking for this last favor. Sam had agreed readily. It was the least he could do for him.

  Bran was there at the airport to receive him. They hugged tight and Bran carried his luggage to the Taxi stand.

  “So it’s true then? You’re married, huh?” asked Bran curiously.

  “Yeah, with two little ones – a boy and a girl.” Sam answered cheerily. “And you?”

  “Nope. So how’s he doing?”

  “Oh he’s married too. No kids though. But he’s happy. I catch up with him every month or so as I promised.”

  “Good. I told you it’d work out just fine.”

  “It would have if you had told her the whole truth. She would have been yours.”

  “I never told you what happened the night my parents died, did I? My father was a drunkard. Every day he would beat my mother up. Every fucking day. So one day she threatened to take her own life by setting herself on fire. She sprinkled gasoline all over the house and herself. My father thought of it as a joke. He lit it up. I was listening to everything from my room but too scared to come out. By the time I mustered strength she was already flaming and he was still laughing at his little joke. I ran downstairs towards her but she held my father tightly and screamed “Bran, run for your life baby. Just run away from here.” I did as I was told but I could never forgive myself for being unable to protect her. To this day I regret that I didn’t have enough strength to stand up to him and save my mother. So as I said my mission was to relieve my best friend of the constant agony and rescue the woman I love from his tyranny. I could never backstab the only man who had the heart to talk a social outlaw like me into his friendship, however short lived that might have been. So no, she can never be mine no matter how much I want it to happen. It can never outgrow the love and respect I have for him. Because sometimes, the truth just isn’t good enough; sometimes, people deserve more – to have their faith rewarded.” He seemed like he was about to cry but he didn’t.

   “I’m really sorry. I didn’t know. I-”

  “It’s ok. I cannot tell you how glad I am for everything you’ve done for me since the very incident at the ranch. I’ll never forget it.”

  “You flatter me Bran. The pleasure is always mine.”

  They were going into a children’s park. It was a school holiday so it was loaded with picnic baskets and spreads.

  “Wait here. They must be here somewhere.” Sam told Bran. Bran sat at a bench with his back towards where Sam was going. It was a while before he returned with a cute little boy of about four.

  “There you go.” said Sam. Bran held his tiny little hands and pulled him between his legs. He had her eyes and he saw Bran recognize them in an instant.

  “So what’s your name young man?”

  “Brandon.”

  “Wow. That’s a great name.” He looked towards Sam raising an eyebrow. Sam shrugged.

  “Yes. Mommy says he was a very brave man.”

  “So are you. Nice meeting you Brandon. I’m Mr. X.”

  “Nice meeting you too, Mr. X.” And he ran away where his parents were waiting for him.

  Bran looked at Sam as if expecting him to explain.

  “What?” said Sam, intrigued though he knew exactly what his friend meant.

  “You told her, didn’t you?”

  “Just about the ranch incident. That can be forgiven right?”

 “Sure. Just for this last time though.” Bran smiled. Sam had never seen him smile like that.

***