Page 46 of Uprising

She whimpers my name as if she knows already that I won’t help. That I can’t. That in this moment I’m as trapped as she is.

Except I’m not am I? I’m just stood here. Doing nothing.

“Roman.” She screams it this time, as her tears roll down her cheeks.

He’s got his hands in her hair, twisting his fingers in amongst the strands, as his body pins hers to the bed.

“You’re so fucking perfect.” He groans. “My perfect wife.”

I feel the bile rising in my throat as those words hit me. She’s his wife. His.

“Roman.” She gasps. “Why won’t you do something? Why are you leaving me like this? Leaving us…”

His hands grab around her throat cutting off the words as he picks up his pace. I want to yell. To scream, to hurl myself at the monster assaulting her and yet I don’t.

“Roman.” She’s crying now. Sobbing. “What did I do, what did I do to deserve this?”

I can’t answer. I can’t reply. I clench my fists as if that’s the only movement I can make.

And as I watch, as I do nothing, he continues his assault. He continues hurting her.

And I continue as I am.

Observing.

Witnessing.

Doing nothing to save her.

* * *

I stand in the shadows.Hide in them.

Though it feels so much different this time.

I used to revel in this. I used to enjoy being someone who could disappear, who could leave without a trace.

But now, now I feel like I don’t exist.

And in a way I don’t.

Darius held a memorial for me. They buried a god damn coffin with my name engraved on it. God knows what was inside. God knows what shit they buried in my name.

To this entire city I am dead and nothing about that notion gives me comfort despite the fact that right now it is useful.

I see him approaching. I see the way the light changes as he makes his way through the entrance to where I am.

When he sees me he freezes for a millisecond as if he cannot quite believe this is real and I’ll admit I’m still surprised that this is even happening myself.

“Tyrone.” I say quietly.

He nods his head curtly. “Roman.”

“What do you want?”

He frowns glancing behind, as if he expects an army of assassins to spring out, as if he’s worth going to that much the effort to killing.

“I want to help.” He states.

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