Page 135 of Misery
He looks at Elfe. "You forgive him?"
"Not yet. Maybe never. But I understand him."
"I see." He turns back to me. "You killed Thiago."
"Yes."
"Your friend who was like a brother to you?"
"He stopped being my friend when he touched her."
"How did it feel? Watching someone you loved die?"
The question surprises me. "Like cutting out cancer. It was painful but necessary."
"And if someone else threatens her?"
"They die."
"Even if it costs you everything?"
"I will protect your daughter at all costs, Ivar. Trust in that."
Ivar nods slowly. "Good. She needs someone willing to burn the world for her. This world, anyway." He reaches out with his good hand, touches Elfe's face. "You're going to the meeting."
"Yes."
"Be careful. Be smart. Don't let your pride get you killed."
"I won't."
"And you." He looks at me. "You keep her safe. Not from her choices, but from others' choices. Understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now get out. Let an old man rest."
We leave him, but in the hallway, Elfe stops. "The USBs. I need to decide what to do with them."
"Your choice."
"Stop saying that."
"It's true."
"I know, but... help me. What would you do?"
I think about it. "Destroy Thiago's. No good comes from keeping it. Keep mine if you need it for closure, or destroy both and start fresh."
"Start fresh." She laughs. "Like that's possible."
"It's not about the possibility. It's about what you need to move forward."
She's quiet for a long moment. "Get them. Both of them. And something flammable."
We go to the back lot.
She puts both drives in a metal barrel, douses them with lighter fluid, and stands there with matches in her hand.
