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LunarEchoStudyo
  • 29 minutes ago
He Chose His Sister-in-law, Now He Begs for My love
Transcript
00:00:03happy birthday my boy go on make a wish i wish to lead the orsani family and rule the city
00:00:10with
00:00:10you dad if your mother was still here she'd be so proud for orsini hold the blood carry the name
00:00:21the rososi family sends their regards
00:00:31the party is over
00:00:35take julian get him out no dad that's an order son you hear me
00:00:40the orsini family is yours now can i count on you of course dad
00:00:48you picked the wrong day to fuck father bastards
00:00:53glen orsani pathetic i hope your son loved my birthday gift
00:01:07to hold the blood and carry the name
00:01:31miss rosetti please come out now time to leave
00:01:34yeah right all they ever do is lock me in that boring old manner i'm done with it
00:01:40can i help you i'm looking for a girl this is the kitchen i don't see any girl here
00:01:48who are you
00:01:51are you okay you're bleeding
00:01:54not your problem excuse me do you even know who you're talking to
00:02:06you didn't answer me who are you
00:02:08my name is
00:02:12boss all the rosetti family present today have been eliminated
00:02:16good job share all seized property to our lads
00:02:19yes boss
00:02:23mary or should i call you phoenix i finally avenged my family
00:02:27where are you now when will i find you
00:02:34this is the last day of my life we may never see each other again my dear love
00:02:43this is maggie rosetti
00:02:44hairress to the rosetti family
00:02:47then why is she still alive
00:02:48boss you made the rule
00:02:49no killing women or children
00:02:51so
00:02:51she's a rosetti i swore i'd wipe out every last one of them
00:02:58close your eyes
00:02:58what can't kill me while i'm looking at you
00:03:00i'm trying to leave you some dignity
00:03:02i don't want to see you wet yourself
00:03:03but if you're gonna do it just do it
00:03:08enough enough is enough julian and i thought i taught you never go too far
00:03:12this is my revenge for my family it's never enough you know how much i
00:03:15sacrificed for this day
00:03:16then you've already done it my boy no not yet julian let me put it this way
00:03:26she's about to be your wife you wouldn't hurt your own wife right
00:03:30what
00:03:32me
00:03:33marry her
00:03:34she's the daughter of my enemy
00:03:35if you're going to kill me just do it
00:03:37don't humiliate me like this
00:03:39julian
00:03:39your families have been at each other's throats for years
00:03:41you've thrown the whole city into chaos
00:03:43it's time to end it up
00:03:45the only way this feud ends for good
00:03:47is if you marry her
00:03:48it'll never end
00:03:49i'll wipe every last rosetti
00:03:50how dare you speak to your godfather like that
00:03:52what i said was not a suggestion
00:03:53it was an order
00:03:54my men just came out of a battle
00:03:55this isn't the time to confront
00:03:57you've got me wrong godfather
00:03:59of course i'll do as you say
00:04:03go hug your wife
00:04:04show your commitment
00:04:06of course
00:04:08you guys are sick
00:04:11that's my boy
00:04:13i think you'll enjoy your marriage
00:04:15boss
00:04:15he's humiliating you
00:04:16he's doing this because you're getting stronger
00:04:18and he wants to keep you in check
00:04:19how long are we going to let this go on
00:04:21no rush
00:04:22i've got plans for him
00:04:24don't think you're getting away with it
00:04:25i have plenty of ways to torture you
00:04:31i'll survive
00:04:32only by staying alive
00:04:33can i get my revenge
00:04:36phoenix
00:04:37i've been looking for you all these years
00:04:39i had this dress made just for you
00:04:40waiting for you to come back
00:04:43where are you
00:04:45we've searched the whole city
00:04:46but we still can't find a girl
00:04:47with a white phoenix birthmark
00:04:48keep looking
00:04:48she's the only one i've ever loved
00:04:52julian i knew you'd marry me
00:04:54i've been waiting so long
00:04:55now that you have your revenge
00:04:56we can finally be together
00:04:58you've always been like a sister to me
00:05:00how could i marry you
00:05:01besides i'm about to marry
00:05:02maggie rosenti
00:05:04wait
00:05:05that dress is for her
00:05:06the only woman worthy of that dress
00:05:07is phoenix
00:05:08that phoenix again
00:05:09after all these years
00:05:10she's still on his mind
00:05:12i'm tired
00:05:12i'm heading to bed
00:05:13all right
00:05:14good night
00:05:15anyone who tries to take julian from me
00:05:17will die
00:05:18starting with you maggie rosari
00:05:19i'm sorry my dear love
00:05:21to survive i have to get married
00:05:22i just wish it were you instead
00:05:23miss rosetti
00:05:24here's your wedding dress
00:05:25mr orcino had it made just for you
00:05:27didn't he swear he was gonna torture me
00:05:29why would he give me something so extravagant
00:05:30mr orcino may sound heartless
00:05:32but everybody knows he's such a gentleman
00:05:37julian looks like he's at a funeral
00:05:38not his wedding
00:05:39shut up
00:05:39the bride's a razzoni
00:05:41how's he supposed to look happy
00:05:42yeah but have you seen how hot she is
00:05:43boss everyone's watching
00:05:44at least try to look a little less miserable
00:05:46it's your wedding
00:05:47just thinking about that rosetti woman
00:05:48makes me want to throw up
00:05:49the bride is here
00:05:56i'm getting you out of here
00:05:57i swear
00:05:59phoenix
00:06:00is that you
00:06:01are you out of your mind
00:06:02of course you're nothing like her
00:06:04you're not even close
00:06:05oh so you had a lover
00:06:06how sad
00:06:07does she know how ruthless you are
00:06:09shut up
00:06:09you're just a cheap rosini
00:06:10you don't get to talk about her
00:06:16this wedding dress
00:06:17how dare you wear this
00:06:18what's your problem
00:06:19let go of me
00:06:22take it off
00:06:23now
00:06:26that's the wedding dress
00:06:27i prepared for my only love
00:06:28take it off
00:06:30now
00:06:32she handed it to me
00:06:33boss
00:06:34she's lying
00:06:35she insisted on trying it
00:06:36we couldn't stop her
00:06:38you liar
00:06:39you said it was for me
00:06:41are you drunk
00:06:43for god's sake
00:06:44you're a rosini
00:06:44how on earth would i prepare anything for you
00:06:47she only wanted to wear it to please you
00:06:50she thinks if she looks cute enough
00:06:52you'll love her
00:06:52exactly
00:06:53so now you're trying to lure me
00:06:55classic rosani
00:06:56doing whatever it takes to get what you want
00:06:58i see
00:06:59you two snakes
00:07:01don't flatter yourself
00:07:02not everyone wants your pity
00:07:03i'm the erindress of the rosani
00:07:04i've worn dresses way better than this
00:07:08what the hell are you doing
00:07:10don't you want me to take it off
00:07:11enough
00:07:17do your thing
00:07:17today we gather before god and these witnesses
00:07:19like i have a choice
00:07:21i do
00:07:21you may now kiss the bride
00:07:22i'd have to be insane to kiss her
00:07:26perfect
00:07:27she's done
00:07:34why is it so hot in here
00:07:36must be the booze
00:07:37trying to act like a gentleman now
00:07:39shut up
00:07:40i'm just being careful with the dress
00:07:42don't move
00:07:43that bastard
00:07:44he actually has a soft side
00:07:45damn
00:07:46am i out of my mind
00:07:47or this dress really does suit her
00:07:48wait
00:07:49could she be
00:07:52enough
00:07:52i'll take the rest off myself
00:07:54you can wait for me outside
00:07:55forget it
00:07:56how can she be phoenix
00:07:57this whole house belongs to me
00:07:58and you want me to wait outside
00:08:00what are you doing
00:08:03i'll make sure you never forget
00:08:04today's punishment
00:08:05this isn't right
00:08:06don't you have someone you love
00:08:07isn't this what you want
00:08:08wearing my beloved's wedding dress
00:08:10trying to take her place
00:08:11to please me
00:08:12no i'm maggie rosati
00:08:13i won't be anyone's substitute
00:08:14of course you're not her
00:08:15you don't even come close to her
00:08:17then get out
00:08:19look at yourself
00:08:20i want you to see yourself humiliated
00:08:22julian
00:08:23you are such a bastard
00:08:28phoenix
00:08:28just you wait
00:08:30you bastard
00:08:30one day
00:08:31i'll have her revenge
00:08:35what
00:08:35that bitch should be julian's enemy
00:08:37how could they
00:08:37don't worry
00:08:38i think mr orezoe
00:08:39just wants to humiliate her
00:08:40for that slut
00:08:41i'd be julian's bride
00:08:42i want that bitch dead
00:08:44i have a plan
00:08:57sir the dress has been inspected
00:08:58it's good
00:08:59no damage was done
00:09:00store it in the vault
00:09:01until the day i find phoenix
00:09:03and
00:09:03what about maggie
00:09:05well
00:09:05i've already punished her last night
00:09:07send her some food
00:09:08i don't want her to die that easily
00:09:10oh god julian i messed up
00:09:12it's all my fault
00:09:13what happened
00:09:15the access card you gave me is missing
00:09:16what
00:09:20here is your breakfast
00:09:21mr oricino personally arranged it for you
00:09:23don't you think a little kindness will make me forgive you
00:09:25i'll settle the score with you later
00:09:29once i finish eating
00:09:30i'm gonna find a way out of this hell hole
00:09:37what's this
00:09:38wait
00:09:39isn't this card
00:09:44so it really was you
00:09:46you're out of your mind
00:09:46how dare you steal this
00:09:47this card is the same one i gave that boy back then
00:09:49then let me see it
00:09:51i thought you'd behave after last night
00:09:52it seems that you still have a death wish
00:09:54i just want one look
00:09:55i only need to confirm one thing
00:10:08well i shouldn't be surprised
00:10:09julian is such a ruthless person
00:10:11how could he be the brave boy from back then
00:10:13this is the access card to the oreski family arsenal
00:10:15how dare you steal it
00:10:16what are you planning to do
00:10:16i just picked it up off the floor
00:10:17if you didn't steal it
00:10:18why would it be in your room
00:10:18i don't know
00:10:19i just got here
00:10:20where would i steal it from
00:10:21you really are an idiot
00:10:22julian
00:10:22this is all my fault
00:10:23i thought maggie was already part of our family
00:10:25so i didn't keep my guard up against her
00:10:27how could this be your fault
00:10:29you're just too naive
00:10:30this bitch is using you
00:10:31you think she's naive
00:10:32and i'm using her
00:10:33god
00:10:34what's wrong with you
00:10:36looks like you still haven't realized your place now
00:10:38i know my place better than you do
00:10:40i'm just a slave in this hellhole
00:10:41you know i hope i did steal that card
00:10:42i hope i took weapons from your arsenal
00:10:44and i hope i kill every last one of you
00:10:46you
00:10:47take her to the dungeon
00:10:48it's time she faces real punishment
00:10:50i'm gonna let her know how savage we are
00:10:52yes boss
00:10:57i have other things to do
00:10:59you don't have to know
00:11:00the toughest men can't last an hour in the oresi dungeon
00:11:02she'll surely die there this time
00:11:03are you serious
00:11:05what is all of this
00:11:06my advice don't ask
00:11:07the more you know the more scared you get
00:11:10you're lucky
00:11:11the oresi family has no punishments for women
00:11:13what
00:11:14looks like
00:11:15i'll have to improvise them
00:11:16no please don't
00:11:25look at you scared like a rabbit
00:11:28you'll stay here for the next couple of days
00:11:30i hope you will soon know your place
00:11:42savages
00:11:42perfect to defend myself with
00:11:45nothing can be heard
00:11:46looks like that little bitch is already tortured to death
00:11:55why is she still alive
00:11:57well isn't this the naive elizabeth
00:12:00can't wait to see me tortured huh
00:12:02you
00:12:05hey i hear you're good at pleasing men
00:12:07right
00:12:07use whatever tricks you want on her
00:12:09go ahead
00:12:14one more step
00:12:16and i'll kill myself
00:12:17no matter what
00:12:18i'm julian's wife now
00:12:20if anything happens to me
00:12:22let's see how are you gonna explain to him
00:12:25you filthy bitch
00:12:26how dare you call yourself julian's wife
00:12:28you're nothing but a slave
00:12:29now i get it
00:12:32i was wondering why you were trying to set me up
00:12:34you want to marry him
00:12:37shut up
00:12:39how pathetic
00:12:40he'd rather marry me
00:12:42than you
00:12:46do what you're here to do
00:12:47now
00:12:54no stop
00:12:56you savages
00:12:57mr orizzi is here
00:13:00three million people cursed my name on labor day
00:13:03they called me a hysterical woman driver
00:13:05who turned interstate 90 into a graveyard
00:13:07my new silver sedan's brakes went completely dead
00:13:10i stood on the pedal with both feet
00:13:11but it was locked solid
00:13:12the impact killed two
00:13:16and injured 24
00:13:17no one believed me
00:13:19every inspector
00:13:19every black box data line
00:13:21said the vehicle was flawless
00:13:22vehicular manslaughter
00:13:2412 years
00:13:26to pay the millions in damages
00:13:27my 68 year old father drove night shifts
00:13:30for a delivery company
00:13:31until his heart burst over the steering wheel
00:13:33eight weeks later
00:13:33my grief strutten mother died alone in a rented room
00:13:36when their two death certificates arrived at my cell
00:13:39my world ended
00:13:39i stared at the concrete prison wall
00:13:42pulled my head back
00:13:43and slammed it forward
00:13:44then
00:13:45a sudden vibration in my palms
00:13:47i gasped
00:13:49throwing my eyes open
00:13:50my shaking hands were gripped around a steering wheel
00:13:54through the windshield
00:13:55a green sign flashed by
00:13:57interstate 90
00:13:58my phone buzzed in the cup holder
00:14:00with a new text from mom
00:14:01drive safe sweetheart
00:14:02pot's already on
00:14:05i didn't die
00:14:06i was reborn
00:14:0740 minutes before the slaughter
00:14:10my hands locked on the wheel like iron clamps
00:14:12the road ahead blurred into a streak of gray
00:14:14my body was physically remembering the ghost of a crash
00:14:16that hadn't happened yet
00:14:17the violent snap of the seatbelt
00:14:18the taste of airbagic smoke
00:14:19the screaming
00:14:19the car drifted toward the fast lane
00:14:21until a harsh horn jolted me back to reality
00:14:23i corrected the wheel and eased off the accelerator
00:14:25the digital speedometer dropped
00:14:2650
00:14:2745
00:14:28the phone buzzed again
00:14:29it was a voice call
00:14:29my fingers shook so violently
00:14:31i dropped the device twice into the footwell
00:14:32before the line connected
00:14:33elena sweetie are you almost here
00:14:34just that one word took everything i had
00:14:36my voice cracked thick with the tears i was forcing back
00:14:38what's wrong you sound funny
00:14:39do you hit traffic
00:14:39a little bit
00:14:40i just i wanted to hear your voice
00:14:41well drive slow
00:14:42your dad is already fussing about dinner
00:14:44but it will keep
00:14:44mom
00:14:45what sweetheart
00:14:45i love you
00:14:46a heavy pause hung over the static
00:14:48then she let out that small embarrassed laugh
00:14:50she always used when emotion caught her off guard
00:14:52i love you too
00:14:52now stop being weird and just get here
00:14:54the line clicked dead
00:14:55i pulled the sedan into the slow bane
00:14:57i gave myself exactly 60 seconds
00:14:5960 seconds to sob
00:15:00to let the hot tears soak my jeans
00:15:02to grieve for two parents who were currently alive
00:15:04and oblivious just 40 minutes away
00:15:0561
00:15:06i wiped my face on my sleeve
00:15:08my eyes turning hard
00:15:09i looked at the highway like a math problem
00:15:10the original crash happened at mile marker 218
00:15:13i was currently passing marker 196
00:15:15i had precisely 22 miles to change history
00:15:19i didn't know what had killed my brakes
00:15:20or if the invisible trap was already waiting
00:15:22i needed to know if i even had control
00:15:25i hovered my right foot over the brake pedal
00:15:27a simple test
00:15:28just to feel the mechanical response
00:15:30i pressed down
00:15:31the pedal was bricked
00:15:32the brakes were completely dead
00:15:33my stomach dropped through the floorboards
00:15:35it wasn't panic that filled my veins
00:15:36but something far colder
00:15:37it was the survival instinct of a woman
00:15:39who had already lived through this horror once
00:15:41and knew down to the millisecond
00:15:42how much time she had left
00:15:43i didn't waste time screaming
00:15:44i slammed my hand onto the dashboard
00:15:46and killed the engine ignition
00:15:47the glowing digital displays flickered and dimmed
00:15:49the hum of the engine died
00:15:50replaced by a rushing wind
00:15:51i slapped the hazard lights on
00:15:52the rhythmic clicking echoing
00:15:54like a ticking time bomb in the quiet cabin
00:15:55the sedan kept coasting forward on raw momentum
00:15:57bleeding speed far too slowly
00:15:5860 miles per hour
00:15:5955
00:16:00i wrenched the steering's wheel to the right
00:16:01angling the gravel emergency lane on the right shoulder
00:16:03suddenly
00:16:03a massive semi-truck blew past on my left
00:16:05its air horn raged
00:16:06a deafening blast that shook my entire vehicle
00:16:08i ignored it
00:16:08i held the wheel steady
00:16:09letting the tires drift across the vibrating rumble strip
00:16:11crunch
00:16:11course and climbed
00:16:12the infrared slower slightly
00:16:13the rough traction dragging at the tires
00:16:14pulling the car down to 40 miles per hour
00:16:1530
00:16:1620
00:16:17the end of the shoulder lane was approaching fast
00:16:19blocked by a heavy steel guardrail
00:16:21i brazed myself
00:16:22steering into the barrier at a shallow angle
00:16:24metal kissed metal
00:16:25a screeching grinding groan echoed through the frame
00:16:27as the car scraped along the guardrail
00:16:28throwing sparks into the twilight
00:16:29finally
00:16:30with a violent shiver
00:16:31the sedan stopped
00:16:31i sat frozen
00:16:32my hands glued to the wheel for a full minute
00:16:34before my lungs forgot it had to expand
00:16:3520 minutes later
00:16:36a blinding flash of yellow emergency lights pulled up behind me
00:16:39a highway technician in a bright reflective bouse climbed out of a patrol vehicle
00:16:42a jittle clapper already resting in his hand
00:16:44ma'am
00:16:44operator davis with highway assistance
00:16:45you called in a total deceleration failure
00:16:47yes
00:16:47the pedal went entirely dead
00:16:50davis slide into the driver's seat with a heavy sigh
00:16:53he started the engine
00:16:55shifted into gear
00:16:56and pumped the brake pedal
00:16:57then he did it again
00:16:59to my horror
00:16:59the pedal moved smoothly
00:17:00his heavy boot depressing it with zero resistance
00:17:03he drove the sedan 20 feet forward along the gravel shoulder
00:17:05hit the brake hard
00:17:06and stopped on a dime
00:17:07the tires gripped the asphalt perfectly
00:17:09feel solid to me ma'am
00:17:10every hydraulic line is pressurized
00:17:12it wasn't working
00:17:13i'm telling you
00:17:14it was locked
00:17:14like concrete
00:17:15look no offense
00:17:17it's labor day traffic
00:17:18a long drive
00:17:19and the adrenaline gets go
00:17:20people hit the accelerator
00:17:21thinking it's the brake all the time
00:17:22it's an easy mistake for a lady to make
00:17:24i've been driving for 20 years
00:17:26he shrugged the patient patronizing shrug of a man
00:17:28who had heard that exact line
00:17:29from every panicked female driver
00:17:30he had ever pulled off a highway shoulder
00:17:32he didn't believe a single word
00:17:33can you tow it
00:17:34i want a full diagnostic at the nearest gas station
00:17:37ma'am
00:17:37it's a holiday weekend
00:17:38every flat board in the county
00:17:40is dragging mangled chassis out of intersections
00:17:43he stepped out of the car
00:17:44tossing the electronic keys back into my palm
00:17:46the soonest i could get a tow truck out here is tomorrow afternoon
00:17:49the vehicle is mechanically flawless
00:17:50just drive slow
00:17:51stay in the right lane and you'll be fine
00:17:52i watched his yellow patrol lights disappear into the dark highway corridor
00:17:55leaving me entirely alone
00:17:57i sat back in the driver of seat
00:17:58my fingers hovered over the ignition button
00:18:00my heart hummered against my ribs like a trapped bird
00:18:03was he right?
00:18:04was my mind playing tricks on me?
00:18:06was the trauma of my past life life hijacking my senses?
00:18:09i pressed the starter
00:18:11the engine roared to life
00:18:12i tentatively tapped the brake pedal with my right foot
00:18:14response
00:18:15perfect
00:18:16hydraulic response
00:18:17the car shuddered
00:18:18and slowed
00:18:18i tried it again
00:18:19and again
00:18:20what the fuck?
00:18:21it worked
00:18:21every single time
00:18:22ahead
00:18:23a hundred yards out
00:18:24the lead semi of the cowboy
00:18:25slammed on its brakes
00:18:27wall after wall of giant red trailers
00:18:28bloomed before my eyes
00:18:30like a rising firing tide
00:18:32no
00:18:32no
00:18:33no
00:18:35i rinsed the steering wheel left into the mediant lane
00:18:37a black suv swerved behind me
00:18:39its horn screaming in a panic as it scraped past the center line
00:18:42i tried to slip into the microscopic gap but it was too late
00:18:45the wall of red was twenty yards away
00:18:47ten
00:18:48five
00:18:52time stretched into a slow motion nightmare
00:18:54i saw my mother stirring the pot of roast
00:18:57my father pouring a cold beer
00:18:59the two people i had failed to save in a past life i no longer wanted to remember
00:19:04i'm sorry
00:19:07the impact hit from the front and back almost simultaneously
00:19:10my face violently smashed into the inflating airbag
00:19:13the seat belt sliced into my collarbone like a burning wire
00:19:16behind me
00:19:17metal crumpled with a sickening slow groan of folding steel
00:19:20the world spun 90 degrees and violently slammed against the concrete guard ram
00:19:26smoke
00:19:26the toxic stench of coolant and scourge wrenched rubber
00:19:29i opened my eyes
00:19:30my limbs answered when i moved them
00:19:32i was alive
00:19:33but through the shattered windshield interstate 90 was a war zailed
00:19:36vehicles were twisted at horrible angles across all three lanes
00:19:39sirens wailed in the distance climbing in pitch
00:19:41i kicked the crumpled passenger door open and crawled out onto the warm
00:19:46a man with blood streaming into his mouth from a torn polo shirt slammed his fist onto my vehicle's hood
00:19:51his eyes wild with rage
00:19:52you were the one what the hell were you doing
00:19:53two state troopers shouldered through the furious crowd and lifted me to my feet
00:19:58but behind them another figure pushed through the bystanders
00:20:00it was davis
00:20:02his face was completely bloodless
00:20:04the color of wet paper
00:20:05he looked at me as if recognizing a ghost he had personally unleashed upon the world
00:20:10my brakes failed
00:20:11the state police precinct smelled like burnt coffee and floor wax
00:20:14gerald and patricia arrived 90 minutes after the call
00:20:16mom's hair was still damp from the kitchen steam
00:20:18her face pale with terror
00:20:19dad was still wearing the worn house slippers he hadn't bothered to change out of
00:20:23elena elena baby
00:20:25i held on to her without speaking burying my face in her shoulder
00:20:28i could not let go
00:20:29in my last life i had buried this woman
00:20:31i had buried both of them because of what happened next
00:20:34we sat together in a row of plastic chairs against the weeping wall
00:20:37hour after hour the precinct processed the night around us
00:20:40the blood-soaked statements the chaos
00:20:42the quiet tears of other broken families
00:20:44once dad crossed the floor to apologize to the driver with the banded forehead
00:20:47at six in the morning
00:20:49detective rains finally entered the interview room
00:20:51he set a heavy manelagi folder on the metal table
00:20:55miss marsh
00:20:56we've had three independent mechanics on your vehicle all night
00:20:59and
00:21:00the vehicle has no defects whatsoever
00:21:01brakes electronics hydraulics
00:21:03every system passes within factory specs
00:21:05furthermore the black box telemetry shows you never once engage the brake pedal during either incident
00:21:09that's because the pedal wouldn't move
00:21:11the pedal moved fine on the bench test
00:21:13it moved fine when officer davis drove it
00:21:16it moves perfectly fine right now in our impowed garage
00:21:23detective cowan stepped forward from the shadow
00:21:25uncluffing a pair of heavy metal handcuffs
00:21:27the metal cuff loosed around my left wrist with a soft vinyl thick
00:21:30i stared down at the cold steel
00:21:31then my eyes drifted lower
00:21:33fixing on the cuffs of my jeans bunched over the tops of my shoes
00:21:35they were thick fade black driving loafers
00:21:37i remember derrick holt pressing the box into my hands at the dealership locks
00:21:40teeth flashing in a practice smile as he apologized
00:21:42anti-fatigue souls he had said
00:21:44a custom gift from me personally
00:21:45something inside my brain shifted a jagged puzzle piece slid into a slot it had been waiting for across two
00:21:49lifetimes
00:21:50wait
00:21:50detective cowan paused the second cuff hanging open in his hand
00:21:53give me one minute
00:21:54just one minute please
00:21:55detective rains crossed his arms
00:21:57his eyes narrow-garrowing in suspicion
00:21:58talk
00:21:59with my free right arm i swept a stapler
00:22:01and the metal monarily folder clattered onto the floor
00:22:03i quickly grabbed the remaining stationary arranging them on the cold surface
00:22:06this is the floorboard of the car
00:22:07this stapler is the brake pedal
00:22:08this pen is my foot
00:22:09i position the sample vertically angling the pen against it
00:22:11pressing my thumb firmly from above
00:22:12when i press the brake the pedal travels three to four centimeters
00:22:15my foot has to travel with it
00:22:16but if anything is wedged between the floor and my foot
00:22:19anything completely rigid
00:22:20the pedal can only move as far as that rigid object allows
00:22:23we checked the floor mats ms marsh
00:22:24we checked the entire foot room
00:22:25there was nothing
00:22:26you didn't check my shoes
00:22:27an absolute silence fell over the interrogation room
00:22:30cowan looked at rains
00:22:31rains slowly lowered his gaze to my feet
00:22:32let me take them off
00:22:33cowan reached down and unlocked the single metal cuff
00:22:36i bowen reached down and unlaced the lock the single metal cluffer
00:22:38treating it with the terrifying care of a person diffusing a live bomb
00:22:41i lifted it and placed it solust on the metal table
00:22:43i reached across the metal table toward the stationary cup
00:22:45i grabbed a pair of heavy metal scissors
00:22:47detective cowan's hand instinctively dropped his service belt
00:22:50detective rains took half a step forward
00:22:52ms marsh
00:22:53his hand
00:22:54i didn't hesitate
00:22:55i flipped the leather shoe over
00:22:56sole up
00:22:57and drove the pointed blade of the scissors
00:22:59straight down into the rubber
00:23:00both officers froze
00:23:03i sawed through the material with brutal force
00:23:05the outer leather parted first
00:23:07then the dense foam layer beneath it
00:23:08followed by a sheet of hard vulcanized rubber
00:23:11i worked the scissors deeper
00:23:12twisting the blades like a knife carving into tough fruit
00:23:15something solid and metallic struck the steel table through the slashed bottom of the shoe
00:23:18a polished steel rod rolled out
00:23:20stopping right against the manifold
00:23:21it was five centimeters long
00:23:23thin as a pencil
00:23:24and machined perfectly smooth at both ends
00:23:26nobody breathed
00:23:27rains reached out very slowly
00:23:29and picked up the steel cylinder between his fingers
00:23:32he held it up to the harsh fluorescent light
00:23:34turning it over
00:23:36what in the
00:23:37i was already stabbing the scissors back into the heel
00:23:39the high density foam resisted
00:23:41but i wedged the blade deep and twisted with all my weight
00:23:44a second steel rod popped out
00:23:46landing beside its twin with a sharp bright ching
00:23:49holy
00:23:50i kept cutting
00:23:51moving toward the arch
00:23:52my fingers were shaking violently now
00:23:54but my hands moved with absolute purpose
00:23:57i peeled the slashed leather back like skin
00:23:59from the deepest hollow of the soul
00:24:01a tiny black trentangle slipped out into my palm
00:24:03it was the exact size of a postage
00:24:04trailing two microscopic wires
00:24:05a coin-sized motor housing
00:24:06and an integrated receiver chip
00:24:07i dropped the electronic components onto the table next to the steel rods
00:24:10the room fell so dead quiet
00:24:12that the only sound left was the low electric buzz of the lights overhead
00:24:15the police electronic specialist arrived in 40 minutes
00:24:17he was a small man with steel-rimmed glasses
00:24:19and dark ink staining his fingertips
00:24:20he laid the cutlet of tiny may components out on a clean white cloth
00:24:22working under a heavy magnifof in absolute silence for 20 minutes
00:24:25when he finally looked up
00:24:26the routine boredom had completely vanished from his face
00:24:29this is a custom remote trigger assembly
00:24:31you have a radio receiver chip here
00:24:34and a micro-geared motor here
00:24:36the motor drives a manicotcher worm screw
00:24:38that pushes these two steel rods outward
00:24:40like this
00:24:42he demonstrated the movement with his fingers
00:24:44sliding them apart diagonally
00:24:46inside the shoe's lining
00:24:48the rods are positioned at a specific angle
00:24:51when the motor activates
00:24:53they brace diagonally between the thick heel
00:24:55and the ball of the foot
00:24:56forming a perfect geometric triangle
00:24:59from the outside the shoe looks completely normal
00:25:02but the sole instantly becomes rigid
00:25:04the wearer's foot cannot compress it at all
00:25:07and when her foot moves to the brake pedal
00:25:09the pedal physically cannot depress
00:25:12the driver pushes down
00:25:14the rigid shoe presses against the pedal face
00:25:17but the solid steel triangle inside the sole transfers 100% of that force
00:25:24straight back into the car's steel floorboard
00:25:27the pedal won't move
00:25:29because it's physically blocked
00:25:31from the inside of the shoe
00:25:33the brakes never engage
00:25:34and what happens after the crash?
00:25:36the operator sends a second wireless signal
00:25:38the motor reverses
00:25:40the steel rods retract
00:25:41and the sole goes soft again
00:25:43the shoe looks like a normal shoe
00:25:45the car looks like a normal car
00:25:46detective rain sat down heavily in a metal chair
00:25:48he had not been planning to use
00:25:50that's why every single post inspection cleared the vehicle
00:25:51there was never anything wrong with the vehicle
00:25:53the car wasn't the weapon
00:25:54someone engineered this footwear to commit murder
00:25:56and to ensure she took the fall for it
00:25:57detective rain slowly lowered the metal rod
00:25:59his eyes fixing on mine
00:26:00miss marsh
00:26:01who gave you these shoes?
00:26:02derrick holt
00:26:03starvault motors
00:26:04the name left my lips like a curse
00:26:06in an instant
00:26:06the sterile precinct vanished
00:26:07replaced by the memory of a showroom
00:26:09that smelled of fresh carpet and leather
00:26:10three years ago in my last life
00:26:12i had walked into starvault alone
00:26:13my financing pre-approved
00:26:15having researched every engineering spec
00:26:16i asked derrick holt
00:26:17three highly technical questions
00:26:18about the vehicle's transmission options
00:26:20instead of answering
00:26:21derrick had looked me up and down
00:26:22flashing the condescending smirk menus on women
00:26:24they assume can't read
00:26:25he waved his hand toward the lounge
00:26:26tell you what
00:26:27bring your husband in this weekend
00:26:29we'll get the whole family taken care of
00:26:31i'm not married
00:26:32i am buying the car
00:26:34today
00:26:35sure sure
00:26:36your boyfriend then
00:26:37your dad
00:26:38who
00:26:38i was turning toward the exit
00:26:40when nora briggs
00:26:41another sales representative
00:26:42stepped in
00:26:43calmly and professionally
00:26:45she walked me through the actual inventory
00:26:47and the paperwork was finalized within an hour
00:26:50i was walking to my brand new silver sedan
00:26:52when derrick came jogging out into the parking lot
00:26:54all teeth and fake charm
00:26:56ma'am
00:26:57hold up
00:26:57i am so sorry about earlier
00:26:58it's been a crazy morning
00:26:59before i could reply
00:27:00his heavy polished dress shoe
00:27:01came down violently on the toe of my brand
00:27:03a massive black smudge ruined the clean canvas
00:27:05he already had a shoebox hidden behind his back
00:27:08oh no
00:27:08i am so incredibly sorry
00:27:10please let me make this right
00:27:11these are custom vip loafers
00:27:13anti-fatigue soles for long highway drives
00:27:15a gift from the dealership
00:27:16and from me personally
00:27:18back in the reality of the interrogation room
00:27:21detective rains closed his notebook
00:27:23and looked toward his partner
00:27:24cohen
00:27:25go fetch derrick holt
00:27:27derrick holt walked into the interrogation room
00:27:30with his collar opened
00:27:30and his hand slid casually into his pockets
00:27:33he glanced up at the security camera in the corner
00:27:35sat down without being asked
00:27:37and calmly crossed an ankle over his knee
00:27:39detective
00:27:40always happy to help law enforcement
00:27:42you know elena marsh
00:27:43she bought a sedan from us
00:27:44last fall i think
00:27:45nice woman
00:27:45quiet you gave her a gift
00:27:47sure did
00:27:47a pair of driving loafers
00:27:49i accidentally stepped on her sneakers
00:27:50out in the parking lot
00:27:50and felt terrible about it
00:27:51is giving a customer a nice apology gift
00:27:53to crime now
00:27:53detective rains didn't answer
00:27:55instead he opened a plastic evidence bag
00:27:57and placed the dissected black loafers flat
00:28:00on the metal table between them
00:28:01the cut leather flaps spread wide open
00:28:03beside the ruined shoe
00:28:04rains neatly lined up
00:28:06the electronic receiver chip
00:28:07the miniature motor
00:28:08and the two polished steel rods
00:28:10derrick looked down at the table
00:28:11his eyebrows lifted in slow
00:28:13highly theatrical confusion
00:28:14he leaned forward extending a finger
00:28:15to lightly tap one of the steel rods
00:28:17he turned it over
00:28:18mimicking the exact motion
00:28:19rains have used ours
00:28:20what even is this
00:28:20what was this actually inside the shoe
00:28:22that's completely insane
00:28:23where did you guys find these
00:28:24he set the steel rod down carefully
00:28:25and shook his head
00:28:26the performance was flawless
00:28:27he had clearly practiced
00:28:28this exact reaction in a mirror
00:28:29look i buy those vip loafers
00:28:31wholesale from a third party supplier
00:28:32in bulk
00:28:32hundred pairs a year
00:28:33if some factory worker is stuffing
00:28:34what is that machinery
00:28:35into the soles before they ship them
00:28:36to my dealership
00:28:36i want answers just as much as you do
00:28:38rains remained perfectly silent
00:28:39staring at him
00:28:39derrick let the silence stretch
00:28:40trying to maintain his mask
00:28:41then he tilted his head
00:28:42with a casual
00:28:43honestly i feel terrible for miss marsh
00:28:44i really do
00:28:44i can't believe a silly little fender bader
00:28:45on the highway turned into all of this
00:28:46detective rains went perfectly stone still
00:28:48the low hum of the fluorescent light
00:28:49suddenly sounded deafling
00:28:50detective rains leaned forward
00:28:51placing both palms flat on the metal table
00:28:53staring directly into derrick's sizes
00:28:55yeah
00:28:55i mean it's terrible obviously
00:28:56but cars get scraped on holiday weekends
00:28:57all the time
00:28:58mr holt
00:28:58we brought you in for questioning
00:28:59regarding a targeted vehicle sabotage
00:29:00we told you elena marsh was here
00:29:01we told you her shoes were confiscated
00:29:03derrick nodded slowly
00:29:03but we never said where it happened
00:29:05we never said it was on the highway
00:29:06and we absolutely mentioned the word fender blash
00:29:08derrick's smug smile didn't vanish
00:29:09but it froze
00:29:10turning into a rigid plastic mask
00:29:11he shifted his weight
00:29:12his ankle slipping off his knee
00:29:13come on detective
00:29:14it's labor day weekend
00:29:15if a customer gets pulled over
00:29:16by state troopers on friday night
00:29:17it's obviously a traffic incident
00:29:18on the highway
00:29:18i just assumed
00:29:19you didn't assume
00:29:20you knew
00:29:20because you were monitoring her
00:29:22rains opened the marion folder
00:29:23and pulled out of circunver logs
00:29:24with thousands of lines
00:29:25of encrypted data
00:29:26highlighted in bright yellow
00:29:27we didn't just test the car's brakes
00:29:28last night mr holt
00:29:29we pulled the internal
00:29:30teltemetry logs
00:29:31from starbout motors central database
00:29:32every new sedan
00:29:33your dealership sells
00:29:34is connected to a proprietary
00:29:35logistics network
00:29:35the manufacturer can see
00:29:36the vehicle's speed
00:29:37location and mechanical status
00:29:38in real time
00:29:39that's standard inventory tracking
00:29:40it's completely legal
00:29:41it is
00:29:42but accessing that live data
00:29:43after the vehicle was sold
00:29:44from a private terminal
00:29:45outside of business hours
00:29:46is a federal privacy violation
00:29:48according to the server log
00:29:49someone logged into the system
00:29:50using your personal employee credentials
00:29:51at exactly 5 15 p.m. yesterday
00:29:53you were watching her dashboard
00:29:54from your office
00:29:54you tracked her
00:29:55until she reached
00:29:55kilometer mark 210
00:29:56derrick holt's
00:29:57polished salesman facade
00:29:58didn't just crack
00:29:59it disintegrated
00:29:59he shrunk back
00:30:00into the metal chair
00:30:01his arms wrapping
00:30:01so tightly across his chest
00:30:02it looked like he was trying
00:30:03to hold his own ribs together
00:30:04i want my lawyer
00:30:05i'm not saying another word
00:30:06without my attorney present
00:30:06you hear me
00:30:07not one word
00:30:08detective rains didn't blink
00:30:09he simply leaned down
00:30:10his face inches
00:30:11from derrick's sweatshemed forehead
00:30:12and whispered
00:30:13with absolute freezing certainty
00:30:14you don't have to say
00:30:15a damn thing mr holt
00:30:16the digital footprints
00:30:17you left in her car system
00:30:18are already singing
00:30:18rains stood up
00:30:19scooped the heavy
00:30:20manarian folder off the table
00:30:21and walked out
00:30:21slamming the heavy iron door
00:30:22i was standing right outside
00:30:23in the dimly lit observation corridor
00:30:25my hands pressed flat
00:30:25against the one-way glass
00:30:26through the reflection
00:30:27i watched the monster
00:30:28who had murdered my parents
00:30:29rocking back and forth
00:30:29in his handcuffs
00:30:30rains turned to detective cowie
00:30:31his eyes hard as flint
00:30:33he's lawyered up
00:30:33but we have enough
00:30:34digital breadfunks
00:30:34to wake a judge
00:30:35call the magistrate at home
00:30:36wake him up
00:30:36i want a federal search warrant
00:30:37for holt's personal vehicle
00:30:38his dealership workstation
00:30:39and his apartment
00:30:39i want it executed
00:30:40before the sun comes up
00:30:41the warrant was signed
00:30:42at 3 42 a.m
00:30:43by 4 15 a.m
00:30:44the silence
00:30:45a sleepy suburban apartment
00:30:46complex was shattered
00:30:47boom
00:30:48a heavy steel battering ran
00:30:49pulgarized the dead bowl
00:30:50of apartment 4b
00:30:51the door flew inward
00:30:52splintering off its hinges
00:30:55the apartment smelled
00:30:56of stale takeout
00:30:57in cheap cologne
00:30:57they pushed into the bedroom
00:30:58cohen dropped to his knees
00:30:59shining his tactical light
00:31:01into the narrow gap
00:31:01beneath the bed frame
00:31:02deep in the dust
00:31:03hidden behind a rye
00:31:04of empty designer shoe boxes
00:31:05sat a weathered
00:31:06vintage wooden crate
00:31:06cohen reached down
00:31:07and dragged it out
00:31:08into the light
00:31:09inside the wooden crate
00:31:10resting on a bed
00:31:10of anti-static foam
00:31:11was the smoking gun
00:31:12a military-grade radio transmitter
00:31:14modified with a high-gain
00:31:15directional antenna
00:31:16a digital battery indicator
00:31:17glowed of sinister green
00:31:18it had been fully recharged
00:31:19right before i drove
00:31:20onto interstate 90
00:31:22but it was a black leather notebook
00:31:23but it was what cowen found
00:31:24slipped into the false bottom
00:31:25of the crate
00:31:26that turned a vehicular assault case
00:31:28into a national horror story
00:31:33it was a black leather notebook
00:31:35bound with a thick rubber band
00:31:37inside were 37 meticulous
00:31:39handwritten entries
00:31:41spanning nearly three consecutive years
00:31:44each page was a horror log
00:31:46a name
00:31:47a date
00:31:48a specific highway route
00:31:49and a recorded top speed
00:31:52next to each entry
00:31:54a tiny check mark
00:31:55was drawn in red ink
00:31:58entry 14
00:31:59sarah jenkins
00:32:00i-95 more
00:32:00speed 78 mpa
00:32:02status clear
00:32:03entry 35
00:32:04elena marsh
00:32:05i-90 east
00:32:06speed 72 mpa
00:32:07status pending
00:32:10of those 37 targets
00:32:1331 were women
00:32:14an hour later
00:32:15back at the precinct
00:32:16detective rains
00:32:17marched into the interrogation room
00:32:18he walked straight up
00:32:19to derrick halt
00:32:19lifted the heavy black leather notebook
00:32:21high above his head
00:32:22and slammed it down
00:32:22onto the metal table
00:32:23with a sound like a gunshot
00:32:2437 targets derrick
00:32:2537 separate remote
00:32:26controlled execution devices
00:32:27here to explain why
00:32:28a simple car sale man
00:32:28has a graveyard
00:32:29written in his own handwriting
00:32:30the sight of the black notebook
00:32:31destroyed whatever composure
00:32:32derrick halt had left
00:32:33his face flushed
00:32:34a dark violent primacy
00:32:35i've months working
00:32:36on those circuit boards
00:32:37in my garage
00:32:37they think they're so independent
00:32:38but throwing the degrees of face
00:32:39like i'm some kind of servant
00:32:40i just reminded them
00:32:41of who they really are
00:32:42hysterical
00:32:43helpless
00:32:43so you killed them
00:32:44the highway killed them
00:32:45i didn't push the gas pedal
00:32:46i just gave them a little test
00:32:47and they failed it
00:32:47the internet called them
00:32:48bad female drivers
00:32:49before the ambulances even arrived
00:32:50society took the blame for me
00:32:51behind the glass
00:32:52a cold weight lifted off my chest
00:32:53looking at derrick halt
00:32:54weeping with rage
00:32:54in his handcuffs
00:32:55i finally understood
00:32:56the universe hadn't brought me back
00:32:57to save myself
00:32:58it had brought me back
00:32:59to drag the monster
00:33:00out of the dark
00:33:00derrick holt's voice
00:33:01was still echoing off
00:33:02the concrete walls
00:33:02of the interrogation room
00:33:03when detective cowan
00:33:04there was no hesitation
00:33:04he grabbed derrick's right arm
00:33:05yanked it behind his back
00:33:06and slammed the heavy steel
00:33:07handcuffs shut
00:33:08with a brutal echoing snap
00:33:09the plastic mask
00:33:09of the smooth pleatly gone
00:33:10leaving only a pathetic
00:33:11sweating man trembling
00:33:12at harsh fluoride
00:33:12and 37 counts of
00:33:13first degree murder
00:33:14eric didn't scream anymore
00:33:15he just stared at the
00:33:16scarred metal table
00:33:16his breath coming in
00:33:17shallow marched him
00:33:18out of the wheeze
00:33:18detective rains
00:33:19turned toward the one way glass
00:33:20meeting my eyes
00:33:21through the mirror
00:33:21he walked out into
00:33:22the observation corridor
00:33:23his heavy boots
00:33:23clicking rhythmically
00:33:24against the linoleum floor
00:33:25he stopped right in front of me
00:33:26taking off his trench coat
00:33:26looking older and more tired
00:33:28than he had an hour ago
00:33:28the district attorney
00:33:29is already on the line
00:33:30miss marsh
00:33:30they're converting this
00:33:31into a federal task force
00:33:32every single file
00:33:33every accident report
00:33:34involving those 37 names
00:33:35being pulled from the state archives
00:33:36and my charges
00:33:37dropped completely
00:33:38the state of new york
00:33:38owes you a massive apology
00:33:39and so do i
00:33:40by 7 a.m.
00:33:41the world outside the precinct
00:33:42had exploded
00:33:43the news of the shoe soul saboteur
00:33:44broke across every major network
00:33:45like a tidal wave
00:33:45the very same internet forums
00:33:47that had spent the last 12
00:33:47calling me a reckless woman driver
00:33:48suddenly went dead silent
00:33:49by a roaring fury
00:33:49directed at star vault motors
00:33:50and derrick holt
00:33:53but i didn't care about the cameras
00:33:55i didn't care about the headlines
00:33:57or the viral tweets
00:33:58vindicating my name
00:34:00i pushed through the heavy
00:34:01double doors of the waiting room
00:34:02sitting on the row of plastic chairs
00:34:04under the dim hallway lights
00:34:05were my parents
00:34:05my father was holding a paper cup
00:34:06of stale police coffee
00:34:07his knuckles white
00:34:08his eyes red from a night of crime
00:34:09my mother was leaning
00:34:10against his shoulder
00:34:11her fragile body
00:34:12shaking with quiet
00:34:12exhausted sobs
00:34:13don't scroll away
00:34:14click the video link
00:34:16to download drama box
00:34:17watch all episodes now
00:34:20in 1861
00:34:21all of charleston
00:34:22from the battery wharfs
00:34:23to the ashley plantations
00:34:24knew the legend
00:34:25of my husband
00:34:26major reed ashford
00:34:27the second son
00:34:27of the south's largest planter
00:34:29they said
00:34:29he was a man undone
00:34:31by his wife
00:34:31for me he would forfeit
00:34:33the world
00:34:33when a planter's son
00:34:34humiliated me at a ball
00:34:36riot disarmed him
00:34:37in a dawn duel
00:34:38standing unflinningly
00:34:39before loaded barrels
00:34:40to defend my honor
00:34:42when outlaws
00:34:43ambushed my carriage
00:34:45riot braved
00:34:46deadly swamps alone
00:34:47returning blood splared
00:34:48at dawn
00:34:48to banish my fear
00:34:49of the dark
00:34:54forced into marriage
00:34:55to clear debts
00:34:56ride bought my freedom
00:34:57with half his lands
00:34:58then rode through
00:35:00a raging storm
00:35:01to snatch me
00:35:01from the altar
00:35:03i believed i'd be
00:35:05happy forever
00:35:06until his brother's
00:35:07bewidowed wife
00:35:08wanted to have a baby
00:35:08with him
00:35:09three years into our
00:35:10marriage
00:35:10rethi's elder brother
00:35:11theodore ashford
00:35:12lay wasting away
00:35:13and an old gungle root
00:35:15woman from the sea
00:35:15islands told the true
00:35:16mister of the house
00:35:17madam ashford
00:35:18that only a child
00:35:19born of the family's
00:35:20bloodline through
00:35:20the brother's wife
00:35:21could call him back
00:35:22from the grave
00:35:22but the brother's wife
00:35:25camellia could not
00:35:26bear that child
00:35:26by a dying man
00:35:27she would have to
00:35:29bear it by right
00:35:29the matriarch's grip
00:35:31tightened on her
00:35:31othony cane
00:35:33send for my second son
00:35:34a maid ran
00:35:36the parlor doors
00:35:37closed
00:35:37upon a council of women
00:35:39in the upstairs
00:35:40sitting room
00:35:40i laid down
00:35:41my embroidery hoop
00:35:42the needle had
00:35:43pricked my thumb
00:35:43and a single bead
00:35:45of blood
00:35:45was rising on the skin
00:35:47i watched it gather
00:35:48fall and stain
00:35:49the white linen
00:35:50of reese monogrammed
00:35:51handkerchief
00:35:52the one i had been
00:35:52mending for him
00:35:53all went to her
00:35:53the maid came
00:35:55rushing upstairs
00:35:55breathless
00:35:56one hand clutching
00:35:57the bernister
00:35:57as if she might
00:35:58collapse where she stood
00:35:59mrs eleanor
00:36:01madame ashford
00:36:02has made her decision
00:36:03she means for mrs camille
00:36:04to bear the family heir
00:36:05by mr ray
00:36:06the room fell into
00:36:07a dead suffocating silence
00:36:09on my lap
00:36:10the fresh bead of blood
00:36:11finally sank
00:36:12deep into the fabric
00:36:13completely drowning
00:36:14reed's monogrammed
00:36:15initials in crimson
00:36:17camille
00:36:17my sister-in-law
00:36:19how could they be
00:36:20sending her to my
00:36:20husband's bed
00:36:21reed went from the parlor
00:36:22to the family chapel
00:36:23without removing
00:36:24his great coat
00:36:24he laid his revolver
00:36:26at his own breastbone
00:36:27as god is my witness
00:36:28i would sooner die
00:36:29than betray eleanor
00:36:30the chaplain wept
00:36:31the servants wept
00:36:33madame ashford
00:36:34did not weep
00:36:34she had me brought
00:36:35down to the courtyard
00:36:36in nothing but my
00:36:37morning dress
00:36:37barefoot
00:36:38and made to stand
00:36:38upon the ice
00:36:39stiffened gravel
00:36:39until my son
00:36:40can dishonor
00:36:40his brother's line
00:36:41you will not move
00:36:42from this place
00:36:43the first hour
00:36:44my mind was clear
00:36:45by the second
00:36:46the cold had moved
00:36:48into my bones
00:36:48by the fourth
00:36:49the frost had split
00:36:50the soles of my feet
00:36:51and thin red ravens
00:36:51crept across the gravel
00:36:52beneath me
00:36:53i stood three days
00:36:54no bread
00:36:54no water
00:36:55the january rain
00:36:56came down once
00:36:57and then turned to sleep
00:36:57and froze upon my shoulders
00:36:58madame ashford
00:36:59set a chair beneath
00:37:00the piazza colonnade
00:37:00and sat
00:37:01and watched
00:37:01and waited
00:37:02a hundred yards away
00:37:03in the family chapel
00:37:04reed had been locked in
00:37:06without food
00:37:06or water
00:37:07or a fire
00:37:08forbidden to leave
00:37:08until he consented
00:37:10his mother visited him
00:37:11each morning
00:37:11with the codicil papers
00:37:12in her hand
00:37:14he bore the cold
00:37:15and the hunger
00:37:15in silence
00:37:27he came across the flagstones
00:37:28with a slow
00:37:29deliberate step
00:37:29of a man not certain
00:37:30his legs would carry him
00:37:31to where he needed to go
00:37:32the servants drew back
00:37:33from him as from
00:37:33something holy
00:37:34or contagionous
00:37:34he stopped before me
00:37:36and knelt on the gravel
00:37:36at my feet
00:37:37in his right hand
00:37:38was the service revolver
00:37:39he held it out to me
00:37:40but first
00:37:41i have submitted
00:37:41to mother's arrangement
00:37:42if you despise me for it
00:37:43end my life now
00:37:44shoot me dead
00:37:45my lips were too cracked
00:37:46to part
00:37:46i love you to madness
00:37:47eleanor
00:37:48i cannot bear to see you
00:37:49broken and punished
00:37:50again because of me
00:37:51the cold iron of the pistol
00:37:52bit into my palm
00:37:53and the tears finally broke
00:37:54but i would endure
00:37:55a thousand more lashes
00:37:56raid before i ever
00:37:56watch you beget a child
00:37:57upon our sister-in-law
00:37:58he squeezed my hand
00:37:59the hammer fell
00:38:01blood flowered
00:38:02through the linen
00:38:02of his shirt
00:38:03i screamed without sound
00:38:04he staggered
00:38:05white as bone
00:38:06and let me gather him
00:38:07into my arms
00:38:07i wept
00:38:08i did not know how long
00:38:09i kissed his face
00:38:12i begged the maids
00:38:14for queen claw
00:38:14for peregrine
00:38:15for a surgeon
00:38:16i swear this on the wounded
00:38:17i will lie with her once
00:38:19for the child
00:38:20and never look at her again
00:38:21she is a stage actress
00:38:22from the new orleans halls
00:38:23a creature dredged up
00:38:24from the gas lit gutters
00:38:25whose virtue he was sold
00:38:26to the highest bidder
00:38:27long before she ever
00:38:27set foot in this house
00:38:28she is nothing to me
00:38:29he kissed my forehead
00:38:31and walked with the wounds
00:38:33still wet across the courtyard
00:38:34to camille ashford's wing
00:38:36the household by sundown
00:38:37had a new story to whisper
00:38:38compared to eleanor
00:38:40reed seemed to favor
00:38:41camely more
00:38:41you smell of her tears right
00:38:43but tonight you are mine
00:38:44and let me forget her
00:38:46touch me
00:38:46make me believe
00:38:47you are the only one
00:38:48the maid who carried up
00:38:50the linen said the bedchamber
00:38:51smelled like a hot room
00:38:52i lay alone in our bed
00:38:53with the deed of separation
00:38:54i had so readily demanded
00:38:55some hours before
00:38:56i wept until the ink ran
00:38:58sometime past midnight
00:38:59i rose
00:39:00lit a candle
00:39:00in the sylvine chamber stack
00:39:01my mother had given me
00:39:02on my wedding day
00:39:03the papers still wet
00:39:04i carried pressed
00:39:05against my breast
00:39:05i stopped at the carved
00:39:06oak door of camille's
00:39:07sitting room
00:39:08the corridor behind me
00:39:09was empty of servants
00:39:10even the night maid
00:39:11had been dismissed
00:39:12i raised my hand to knock
00:39:14and heard through the door
00:39:15camille's laugh
00:39:16what she said next
00:39:17dragged me straight into hell
00:39:19you are such a bad boy
00:39:20staging a whole shooting
00:39:21with a sack of bullock's blood
00:39:23in front of your own wife
00:39:23making her weep
00:39:24over your corpse
00:39:25and then you came
00:39:25straight here to me
00:39:27she is sentimental
00:39:28she believes
00:39:29whatever she has shown
00:39:30all the obstacles
00:39:31have been cleared away
00:39:32all theater
00:39:33mother and i arranged
00:39:34it months ago
00:39:35the gongo woman
00:39:36was paid in gold
00:39:36the night before
00:39:37the prophecy was written
00:39:38for her to recite
00:39:39the cold
00:39:40the chapel
00:39:41the wound
00:39:41every thread of it
00:39:42sown for you
00:39:43a whole year
00:39:44has been into your room
00:39:45used by the backstab
00:39:46and now i am to be
00:39:48the lady of a wing
00:39:48i would marry you
00:39:50twice over for it
00:39:51take what you want
00:39:52and ask for nothing more
00:39:53most of all eleanor
00:39:54is never to know
00:39:54if she so much
00:39:55has suspected the truth
00:39:56i will shoot you dead
00:39:57where you stand
00:39:58the candle in my hand trembled
00:40:00the light walked along
00:40:01the carved oak panels
00:40:02and the gild of the picture frames
00:40:04and would not be still
00:40:05right who for my sake
00:40:06has been sleeping with
00:40:07camel for a whole year
00:40:08was every single bit of it
00:40:09just a lie
00:40:10i took three steps backward
00:40:12away from the door
00:40:12on the fourth step
00:40:14the floor was no longer there
00:40:15i fell on the fourth step
00:40:16hit the polished
00:40:17heart pine boards
00:40:17on my ruined feet
00:40:18and crumpled
00:40:18the candlestick
00:40:19rolled away from me
00:40:20the flame good old
00:40:21caught upon my sleeve
00:40:21smothered against the wool
00:40:22of my dress
00:40:23as i crumpled
00:40:23i drifted for three days
00:40:25between sleeping and waking
00:40:26unable to close the distance
00:40:27in that place
00:40:28camille knelt beside the bed
00:40:29and held madam ashford's hand
00:40:30i heard them as a swimmer
00:40:31hears voices above the water
00:40:32she is with child
00:40:33mother ashfield
00:40:34the root woman was certain
00:40:36only the child i bear
00:40:37can save theodore
00:40:38if eleanor's child
00:40:39is born first
00:40:40the cure is broken
00:40:41my poor theodore will die
00:40:44madam ashford's cane
00:40:45struck the floor
00:40:46send her to a physician
00:40:48i will not allow
00:40:50the child in her womb
00:40:51to affect my theodore's destiny
00:40:53mother
00:40:54dogs
00:40:55those doctors are men
00:40:56i will not have a man's
00:40:57hands upon her body
00:40:58not for any reason
00:40:59a simple draught is enough
00:41:01to rid her of the child
00:41:01i will give it to her myself
00:41:04he came to the bedside
00:41:06i felt his weight upon the mattress
00:41:07the familiar dip of it
00:41:08he lifted my head
00:41:10with a tenderness
00:41:10i remembered from a thousand mornings
00:41:12and held a small porcelain cup
00:41:13to my lips
00:41:14i fought with everything in me
00:41:15to open my eyes
00:41:16to scream
00:41:17to beg him to spare my child
00:41:18only to find
00:41:19with a curching despair
00:41:20that it was all in vain
00:41:22the taste was bitter
00:41:24cloves
00:41:25penny hairy
00:41:26the faint hateful sweetness
00:41:27of paragassic to mask the rest
00:41:29my body knew the compound
00:41:30before my mind could name it
00:41:31my fingers tried to close
00:41:32around his wrist
00:41:34they were too weak
00:41:35i felt the warmth of the drug
00:41:36spread out from my stomach
00:41:37into the cold parts of me
00:41:38i felt the small intricate thing
00:41:39inside me go quiet
00:41:40then go still
00:41:41then go away
00:41:42sleep now eleanor
00:41:43pretend this child never came
00:41:45he laid my head back
00:41:46upon the pillow
00:41:47he smoothed my hair
00:41:48when i woke fully three mornings later
00:41:50the chamber was empty
00:41:51brooke sat weeping at the foot of the bed
00:41:52great the maid said
00:41:53had taken madame bowman
00:41:54down to new orleans on the noon train
00:41:56to celebrate the coming air
00:41:57and to consult a city physician
00:41:58about camille's own condition
00:41:59i looked at the wash base
00:42:00i washed my face in the cold basin
00:42:02i dressed in black
00:42:03i tied my hair back
00:42:05with a strip of mourning croup
00:42:06then i walked the length of the corridor
00:42:08to madame ashford's morning room
00:42:09and asked with great courtesy
00:42:11for the deed of separation
00:42:13i am more than willing to step aside
00:42:15for camille and wreath
00:42:16i beg you madam
00:42:18help me
00:42:19and make him sign
00:42:20the deed of separation
00:42:21there is a steamer bound
00:42:22for europe next month
00:42:23you will take it
00:42:24and you will never set foot
00:42:25before my son again
00:42:26as long as you breathe
00:42:27to ensure there are no
00:42:29complications
00:42:30brac is to know
00:42:31absolutely nothing of this
00:42:32before you sail
00:42:33you have my deepest gratitude
00:42:35madam
00:42:35for finally granting my request
00:42:37wreath and camille
00:42:38returned at dusk
00:42:39a fortnight later
00:42:39the carriage rolled through
00:42:40the great gates of ashford manor
00:42:42in the failing light
00:42:42and the household lined up
00:42:43along the live oak drive
00:42:44as for any homecoming
00:42:45camille descended first
00:42:46gloved and radiant
00:42:47reed followed
00:42:48at her throat beneath
00:42:49the high lace collar
00:42:50was a livid mark
00:42:51she had not been able
00:42:51to powder away
00:42:52the fortnight in new orleans
00:42:53had left its mark on them both
00:42:55late suppers
00:42:57late mornings
00:42:58the langui of those city rooms
00:43:00still clinging to their clothes
00:43:01i stood waiting
00:43:03beneath the colonnid piazza
00:43:04in my morning gown
00:43:05spanish moss stirring
00:43:07in the live oaks above me
00:43:08the servants watched
00:43:09without seeming to
00:43:10reed crossed the gravel
00:43:11and would have taken my hands
00:43:13i did not give them
00:43:14he pretended not to notice
00:43:16and produced instead
00:43:17from the inner pocket
00:43:18of his great coat
00:43:18a small dark glass bottle
00:43:20a european tonic
00:43:21every fashionable lady
00:43:22in new orleans is taking it
00:43:23it restores the constitution
00:43:24after illness
00:43:25drink it for me
00:43:26i accepted the bottle
00:43:28the glass was warm
00:43:29from his body
00:43:31i uncarked it
00:43:32the smell rose
00:43:34wine and something darker
00:43:35beneath the wine
00:43:36my paris training
00:43:37spoke before my tongue
00:43:38could
00:43:38herba
00:43:38sustained doses
00:43:39of herb of rye
00:43:40masked in chlore
00:43:41and honeysuckle
00:43:42a woman fed this compound
00:43:43through a winter
00:43:44would bleed quietly
00:43:45for the rest of her life
00:43:46not killed
00:43:47made permanently
00:43:48invisibly ill
00:43:49made unfit to be touched
00:43:50by any man
00:43:51made nothing
00:43:51camille came up the steps
00:43:53and a hand at reed's elbow
00:43:54all the finest ladies
00:43:55in new orleans
00:43:55are taking it to you
00:43:56finish every drop
00:43:58do not be ungrateful
00:43:59not killed
00:44:00made permanently
00:44:01invisibly ill
00:44:02right
00:44:02this medicine
00:44:03must i drink it
00:44:04he had already slaughtered
00:44:05my child with his own hands
00:44:06severing every shred of love
00:44:08i once held for him
00:44:09was he truly intent
00:44:10on driving me
00:44:11into an early grave now
00:44:12i looked at my husband
00:44:13he met my gaze
00:44:14without lowering his own
00:44:16there was a flicker
00:44:17behind his eyes
00:44:18a thing he did not
00:44:19allow to surface
00:44:20i raised the bottle
00:44:21i drank it
00:44:22i drank every drop
00:44:24slowly
00:44:24while they watched me
00:44:25while the cold january wind
00:44:27moved the dead
00:44:27magnalia leaves
00:44:28across the piazza boards
00:44:29i lowered the empty bottle
00:44:31and set it on the
00:44:32piassa rail between us
00:44:33i know what this is
00:44:34and i know what it does
00:44:36we are done
00:44:38ride
00:44:39before i blacked out
00:44:40i vaguely saw reet panic
00:44:42what do you mean
00:44:43done
00:44:45before the darkness
00:44:46swallowed me whole
00:44:46i learned the horrific truth
00:44:48from their whispers
00:44:50they had traveled to new orleans
00:44:51to consult a voodoo queen
00:44:53seven nights
00:44:54the witch told them
00:44:55that if they used my bed
00:44:56this our marriage bed
00:44:57for seven secutive nights
00:44:58the soul of my slaughtered child
00:45:00would be summoned back
00:45:01reborn into camiel's womb
00:45:03they took my room
00:45:05they desecrated my bed
00:45:08you are a cool man
00:45:09right
00:45:09that tincture
00:45:10taken for weeks
00:45:11will ensure she bleeds dry
00:45:13from the inside out
00:45:14her body will wither
00:45:15and no man will ever be able
00:45:17to lay a finger on her again
00:45:19poor wretched eleanor
00:45:21eleanor belongs to me
00:45:23even if i never touch her again
00:45:25i would rather see her rot
00:45:26than let another man possess her
00:45:29in my half conscious state
00:45:31hatred burned so hot
00:45:33that blood seeped
00:45:35from the cracked corner
00:45:36of my mouth
00:45:37the next morning
00:45:39not long after reading
00:45:40camille departed
00:45:41i woke
00:45:41from my bed
00:45:42i heard the maids
00:45:42quarreling in the courtyard
00:45:43below my window
00:45:44she gave up her husband
00:45:45easy enough
00:45:46now she wants the south wing
00:45:47on top of that
00:45:47some women cannot bear
00:45:48to be parted from a comfort
00:45:49you watch your filthy tongue
00:45:51my mistress has bled
00:45:52in this house
00:45:53every day since she
00:45:53crossed its threshold
00:45:54she has paid for
00:45:56every stone of this place
00:45:58the voices rose
00:45:59there was a slap
00:46:00a scream
00:46:01brooke when she came
00:46:02up the stairs
00:46:03ten minutes later
00:46:03had a red wheel
00:46:04across her cheek
00:46:05and a furious set
00:46:05to her mouth
00:46:06she knelt at the foot
00:46:07of my bed
00:46:07miss eleanor
00:46:08i am going to the elder master
00:46:09mr theodore was always
00:46:11kind to you
00:46:11he will hear me
00:46:12brooke no
00:46:12you are a free woman
00:46:14but free papers do not
00:46:14stop a hand that means
00:46:15to fall
00:46:15brooke had her freedom
00:46:16papers
00:46:17my mother had filed them
00:46:18with the city register
00:46:19the year brooke turned 12
00:46:20it would not matter
00:46:21in this house
00:46:21but brooke was already gone
00:46:23what happened by the lily pond
00:46:24i learned in pieces
00:46:25from the running of feet
00:46:26and the shrieking of women
00:46:27theodore was killed
00:46:28in the lake
00:46:28brooke had found theodore
00:46:29in his bath chair
00:46:30on the south's vienna
00:46:30taking the weak winter sun
00:46:32between the palmetto
00:46:33and the camellia head
00:46:34she had knelt
00:46:35and began to speak
00:46:37camille had come down
00:46:38the terrace steps
00:46:39words had passed
00:46:41brooke had risen
00:46:42camille had pushed
00:46:44brooke had caught
00:46:44at theodore's chair
00:46:45to keep her balance
00:46:46and the chair had tilted
00:46:47and the dying man
00:46:48had gone into the cold
00:46:49green water
00:46:49they pulled him out
00:46:52he was breathing
00:46:53barely
00:46:54he had not spoken
00:46:56the estate manager
00:46:57came to my door
00:46:58with two armed grooms
00:46:59behind him
00:47:00madam
00:47:00your maid is in iron
00:47:01you are summoned
00:47:02to the great hall
00:47:04i rose
00:47:06i rose
00:47:06i bound up my hair
00:47:10i walked the long corridor
00:47:11without permitting myself
00:47:12to limp
00:47:15i entered the great hall
00:47:17the doorway was thick
00:47:18with physicians
00:47:20madam ashford sat in the
00:47:21high chair before the
00:47:22hearth
00:47:22her cane across her knees
00:47:23camille stood weeping
00:47:24against rive's shoulder
00:47:25and his arm was around
00:47:26her waist as a husband's
00:47:27arm is around a wife
00:47:28he stood with his arm
00:47:29around camille and did not
00:47:30move madam ashford lifted
00:47:32her cane and pointed
00:47:34seize the harlot from
00:47:36charleston
00:47:37she has tried to murder
00:47:39my eldest son
00:47:41two enormous house
00:47:42women seized my arms
00:47:43and forced me down
00:47:44my ruined feet struck the
00:47:46marble
00:47:48reed moved at last
00:47:50he crossed the hall in three
00:47:51strides and kicked the
00:47:52women aside
00:47:53get the hell away from
00:47:54her
00:47:55no one
00:47:56there's no not a single
00:47:58soul
00:47:58lays a fender on her
00:48:00he bent and lifted me
00:48:01in his arms
00:48:02for one suspended moment
00:48:03my cheek was against the
00:48:04rough wool of his coat
00:48:05and i could feel his heart
00:48:06fammering
00:48:06then camille made a small
00:48:08herded sound behind him
00:48:09right set me down upon a
00:48:11bench
00:48:11he turned
00:48:11he went to camille and
00:48:13gathered her against him
00:48:14eleanor you must apologize
00:48:15to my sister-in-law
00:48:16the matter of the maid
00:48:17will be investigated
00:48:17afterwards
00:48:18first the apology
00:48:19i pressed my bleeding
00:48:20wom flat upon the bench
00:48:21to steady myself
00:48:22brooke is a child
00:48:24she has not the wickedness
00:48:25in her to push a dying
00:48:26man into water
00:48:26investigate first
00:48:27then i will speak
00:48:28whatever words are owed
00:48:29reed's jaw tightened
00:48:30the apology first
00:48:32no
00:48:32a long silence
00:48:34madam ashford's cane
00:48:35tapped the marble once
00:48:36then you will be confined
00:48:37to the penitence chamber
00:48:38until you find your tongue
00:48:39the penitence chamber
00:48:40was where the household
00:48:41sent disobedient servants
00:48:42to be broken
00:48:42it had a stone floor
00:48:43no fire
00:48:44one window so high
00:48:45a tall man could not reach it
00:48:46i bent and unfastened my shoes
00:48:47i stepped out of them
00:48:47i pushed to my feet
00:48:48and walked across the great hall
00:48:49of ashford manor
00:48:50in my bare bleeding feet
00:48:51past my husband
00:48:52past the women
00:48:52past the doctors
00:48:53out the side door
00:48:54and across the snowy yard
00:48:55toward the brick out buildings
00:48:56beyond the kitchen house
00:48:57i left a line of small red prints
00:48:59behind me in the white
00:49:00i walked the whole way
00:49:01to the penitence chamber
00:49:02on my own
00:49:02the smell of pine smoke
00:49:04from the kitchen house
00:49:05followed me across the yard
00:49:06and somewhere in a wall
00:49:07a mouse scratched
00:49:07and i let those small things
00:49:08mark the distance
00:49:09the bolt slid shut behind me
00:49:11an hour later
00:49:11it slid open again
00:49:12camille stood in the doorway
00:49:13in fresh silk and silver fox
00:49:15with my river pearl strand
00:49:15around her throat
00:49:16you are finally at my mercy
00:49:18eleanor
00:49:18just watch how i break you
00:49:19camille came in
00:49:20and sat upon the only stool
00:49:22and crossed her ankles
00:49:23like a lady at a tea
00:49:27he built me a hot house
00:49:28for the winter camellios
00:49:30did you know that
00:49:32a glass house
00:49:33with brick paths
00:49:34and a coal stove of its own
00:49:36he had a hundred men
00:49:37dig a cunert clear
00:49:38from the city springs
00:49:39to pipe hot water
00:49:41into a bathing room
00:49:42he built for me
00:49:42beside my bed chamber
00:49:43she extended a foot
00:49:45slipper dangling
00:49:46he commissioned a music stage
00:49:48in the south ballroom
00:49:49and sent to mobile
00:49:49for a troop of singers
00:49:50the plans for all of it
00:49:52he drew himself
00:49:52he told me last night
00:49:54that your hands are cold
00:49:55when you touch him
00:49:56i knelt on the stone
00:49:57my ruined hands folded in my lap
00:49:59and looked at the high small window
00:50:00he told me he has not wanted you
00:50:01in a year
00:50:02and was only being kind about it
00:50:03camille's prettiness changed
00:50:04she rose
00:50:05took up the cold teacup
00:50:06that had been left on the floor
00:50:07smashed it against the wall
00:50:08and drew the broken edge
00:50:09across her own white
00:50:10help help
00:50:10ride ride
00:50:11she has cut me
00:50:11boots in the corridor
00:50:12the door flung open
00:50:13reet saw the blood at camille's throat
00:50:15he crossed the room
00:50:15and drove his boot into my stomach
00:50:17i went down without a sound
00:50:17blood ran from my nose
00:50:18in the corner of my mouth
00:50:19his face changed when he saw it
00:50:20too late
00:50:20i breathed
00:50:21i did not speak
00:50:22i let him see the blood
00:50:23he carried camille away
00:50:25he ordered me to the chapel
00:50:27three days kneeling on the flagstones
00:50:29before the altar
00:50:30no food
00:50:31no water
00:50:32i was to stitch the 51st pole
00:50:34and the miseranum
00:50:35onto a square of blackboarded
00:50:36morning linen
00:50:37one verse
00:50:38for each hour
00:50:39the chapel bell rang
00:50:40until madame ashfield
00:50:41was satisfied
00:50:43that my soul
00:50:44had repented
00:50:44of striking
00:50:46the eldest son's wife
00:50:47the chaplain set out
00:50:48the rosewood hoop
00:50:49the black silk flaw
00:50:50the row of fine steel needles
00:50:51his eyes refusing mine
00:50:52by dusk my fingers would not close without spasm
00:50:54and i was driving the needle through by pressing the eye against the heel of my palm
00:50:57by the second evening the broken skin of both hands had darkened the black silk to a deeper rust
00:51:01wash me throughly from mine iniquity
00:51:03and cleanse me from my sin
00:51:05i could not feel my knees
00:51:06i could not feel my face
00:51:08on the third day the fever took me
00:51:10i stitched past it
00:51:12i stitched past the moment the needle went clean through the web of my palm
00:51:15and a slow bead of blood worked along the thread and bloomed in the linen
00:51:17darker than the silk
00:51:19when i fell
00:51:19i fell forward across the altar
00:51:21and the hoop slid out from under my cheek
00:51:22and the unfinished stamp dropped to the stone
00:51:25i woke to ice water flung in my face
00:51:27and to camille's voice telling the servants
00:51:28to drag me into the snow of the side garden
00:51:30where there were no windows to look out from
00:51:32i laid there
00:51:33the gray carolina sky stretched above me
00:51:35banned by the bare branches of them did not melt
00:51:37i lifted one ruined hand to shade my face
00:51:40my cracked lips moved
00:51:41a sound escaped me
00:51:43not quite a laugh
00:51:44and not quite crying
00:51:46soon
00:51:47soon now
00:51:48i could leave this place
00:51:50for half a week i kept to my chamber and was forgotten
00:51:54the rest of ashford manor was loud with celebration
00:51:57word in the servants hall
00:51:59then in the streets of charleston
00:52:00then in every drawing room from calhoun street to the batter
00:52:03since master reed had taken his sister-in-law into his bed
00:52:06to give his dying brother an heir
00:52:08the consumption in master theodore's lungs had eased miraculously
00:52:11he had taken broth
00:52:12he had sat up
00:52:14the household named camille bayfield a good luck charm
00:52:16a saint a saving grace
00:52:19even general cornelius ashfield it was said had written from richmond
00:52:21that he was considering rate for a colonelette
00:52:23bribe had the glass camellia house built for her in 12 days
00:52:25by a crew of 40
00:52:26he had coal grates fit in every room of her wing
00:52:28and a boy kept the fires alight from before dawn until past midnight
00:52:32he had a small theater raised in the south ballroom
00:52:34with a velvet curtain and a charleston orchestra retained for the season
00:52:37he bought you a single winter camellion once for a new year's ball
00:52:39he took you to a country spring house for one weekend when your bones were aching
00:52:41he sent for one crillial singer from new orleans for your birthday
00:52:44he does each of them now for her
00:52:45at 100 times the scale
00:52:46mister i cannot bear it
00:52:47then do not watch
00:52:49the night of camille's operette
00:52:50the snow came down in great soft flakes
00:52:52upon the live oaks and the carriages of half the country
00:52:54the ashford ballroom blazed with wool soil lamps
00:52:57i sat in the back row in dove gray silk
00:52:59i heard nothing of the music
00:53:00the talk around me was louder than the singers
00:53:02i went down the wrong corridor looking for a chamber pot
00:53:05and there they were in the magnolia walk
00:53:06the pretty widow and our gallant captain
00:53:07going at it like field hands
00:53:08does the wife know her husband bed his brother's widow
00:53:10and what if she does he is on the road to a general ship he cannot bind himself to one
00:53:15woman forever
00:53:17i rose and slipped out for air the garden pionza was cold
00:53:21the lanterns in the jasmine archer swung in the wind
00:53:23a figure emerged from the magnolia walk smoothing the front of her dress with both gloved hands
00:53:27her pearl shoulder my pearl shoulder catching the lantern light
00:53:31looking for someone dear
00:53:32the whale oil lantern in the jasmine arch went out
00:53:35a pistol muzzle cold as iron drawn from a well pressed against the back of my skull
00:53:38a second pair of hands leashed a small dark weight against my ribs
00:53:41a catchmas grenade its percussion cap already primed
00:53:43one hard landing and we would both be gone
00:53:45the man explained pleasantly
00:53:46i heard camille seized beside me
00:53:48camille's shriek then camille's gagged whimper
00:53:50we were carried down the back drive
00:53:51the rare low country snow muffled the boots
00:53:54and the spanish main hung dark and unmoving in the live oaks above
00:53:57reet arrived at the gates with twenty men and pitch torches
00:53:59the kidnapper held both of us before him in the lamplight
00:54:03you may take one of these ladies home tonight
00:54:06the other you may ransom at the old chapel on the creek road at midnight
00:54:10for ten thousand silver dollars
00:54:11choose
00:54:12a silence that lasted half a minute
00:54:13blind inside my bard app i listened to my husband's breathing
00:54:16right
00:54:17the root woman swore i can save theodore i can make you a general
00:54:20can she do any of that for you
00:54:23release camille
00:54:24the bag was torn from camille's head
00:54:26camille fell into raid's arms weeping
00:54:29i felt the kidnapper's filthy hand close around my throat
00:54:32and drag me into a wagon
00:54:34the roadside chapel was a ruin of beams and rotten pews
00:54:36the kidnapper untied his neckcloth and wiped his face
00:54:38and looked at me as a butcher looks at meat
00:54:40the lady who paid me said to keep you breathing
00:54:41she did not say keep you whole
00:54:43he struck me
00:54:44he tore at my bodice
00:54:45i fought with what i had left of my hand
00:54:47watched the broken altar window for him
00:54:49sundown
00:54:49no reed
00:54:51midnight
00:54:52no reed
00:54:53the slow gray hour before dawn
00:54:55no reed
00:54:55my body began to cool from the soles upwards
00:54:57i thought with a great strange tenderness
00:54:59how clean a thing i once was
00:55:00die bound to a man so unclean
00:55:02i closed my eyes
00:55:04when i opened them again
00:55:05a bed was beneath me i did not know
00:55:06and rape was screaming at three physicians to save me or be shot
00:55:09his eyes were red as wounds
00:55:10his voice had been used up some hours before
00:55:12eleanor eleanor
00:55:13they said you would not wake
00:55:14do not leave me
00:55:15do not leave me
00:55:16he gathered me against his chest
00:55:17the brass buttons of his gray uniform pressed into my cheek
00:55:20for one suspended moment
00:55:21i was a girl again in his arms
00:55:23in some charleston summer before the war
00:55:24and his love for me had been so clean
00:55:26i had drank from it as from a spring
00:55:29then i saw the marks camel had left in the hollow of his throat
00:55:31my stomach turned over
00:55:33i turned my face away
00:55:34the motion split the wound at my tilla
00:55:36and bright blood ran into my ear
00:55:38that night
00:55:39i could not choose you
00:55:41camille carries the future of this house
00:55:43i would have come at dawn
00:55:44i swear it on my life
00:55:45i could not answer
00:55:46the cracked corner of my mouth would not shape a word
00:55:48the chamber door opened
00:55:50madam ash heard swept in upon her cane
00:55:51camille followed in fresh silk
00:55:53eyes already brimming
00:55:54the brigaden has confessed under questioning
00:55:56he was paid by this creature
00:55:57she hired a man to drag my dear camille
00:55:59to a brothel in mobile
00:56:00reet rose from the bedside
00:56:01he looked at me as if i had become a stranger in the dark
00:56:03then he struck me across the face with the back of his hand
00:56:06madam ashford struck me across the other cheek
00:56:08with the head of her cane
00:56:09camille pressed a lace handkerchief to her lips
00:56:11mother ashford raid
00:56:13spare her this once
00:56:14for my sake
00:56:15she is sister to me
00:56:16madam ashford patted her cheek
00:56:19camille's eyes flickered to the bedside table
00:56:21my new gown wants a small adornment rate
00:56:23might i beg one little kindness of poor eleanor
00:56:26wright reached past me
00:56:27he lifted the river pearl strand he had threaded himself
00:56:30in the shallow waters off ednesty
00:56:32the year of our engagement
00:56:34the strand he had once said only his wife
00:56:37his one beloved
00:56:38could wear without shaming
00:56:39take them
00:56:41eleanor will not mind
00:56:42i picked up the pearls from camille's outstretched glove
00:56:45and threw them at her face
00:56:48it was always phil
00:56:49madam ashford clapped her hands
00:56:52the servants filed out
00:56:54the door closed
00:56:55i lay where i had fallen from the bed
00:56:57the patient rug burned cold beneath my cheek
00:56:59in the bed i had bled in three nights running
00:57:02with me looking up from the floor
00:57:03and unable to so much as lift my head
00:57:05reet took camille
00:57:07he took her at length
00:57:09he took her audibly
00:57:10when he was done he rose and dressed in front of me
00:57:13as a husband might dress before his wife
00:57:16slowly
00:57:17deliberately
00:57:18fastening each button
00:57:19he came and
00:57:21knelt in front of me on the rug
00:57:23i did this in front of you
00:57:25i gave you every reason
00:57:26strike me
00:57:28curse me
00:57:29say something
00:57:29you're not gonna fight for me at all
00:57:31my voice
00:57:32when it came
00:57:33was very small
00:57:35and very evil
00:57:37do you love me
00:57:38yes
00:57:41god help me
00:57:42yes
00:57:47he reached for my face
00:57:48i put both my ruined hands flat against his chest
00:57:52and shoved with everything that was left in me
00:57:54i have not loved you in months
00:57:57you are soiled
00:57:58you make me sick
00:58:00his eyes went flat the way a pond goes flat before rain
00:58:02he took me by the shoulders
00:58:04he bore me down upon the rug
00:58:05what followed i did not stay inside my body to witness
00:58:08i rose out of myself and watched
00:58:10from somewhere near the cornich molding
00:58:11a woman who looked like me being used
00:58:13when the woman could move again
00:58:14she dragged herself across the floor by her elbows
00:58:17her torn fingernails left long red trails on the polished heart pine boards
00:58:21she pulled herself over the high threshold
00:58:23she fell down the icy stone steps into the courtyard snow
00:58:26behind her in the chamber
00:58:27she heard camille laugh
00:58:29and the bed springs begin again
00:58:31i lay in the snow and looked back up at my own window
00:58:34the curtain had been drawn
00:58:38don't scroll away
00:58:39click the video link
00:58:40to download drama box
00:58:41watch all episodes now
00:58:58hold on
00:59:03Cerberus is slaughtering some billion
00:59:06we have to stop it before the dragon lord gets here
00:59:29the dragon lord
00:59:31he's here
00:59:34he's here
00:59:35we're going to make it
00:59:42finish it
00:59:43finish it
00:59:45finish it
00:59:56finish it
00:59:57finish it
01:00:05finish it
01:00:12finish it
01:00:14finish it
01:00:14finish it
01:00:14finish it
01:00:14finish it
01:00:15finish it
01:00:25my lord you saved us again this is what the dragon temple stands for it's what we do
01:00:33my lord you're hurt
01:00:40we're both old that fight took the last of what we had left
01:00:43listen to me in ten years a new dragon lord will rise he'll find his own bond
01:00:47and he'll protect this world when that happens you follow him no matter what
01:01:00we will find him we'll make sure he becomes what you were the most powerful force in this world
01:01:11you pathetic magicless rat quit running i'll never give you my house
01:01:16fool you know what defies me no one
01:01:36run now bastard
01:01:56william what's wrong darling charlie's trying to kill me quick hide inside
01:02:08i got him
01:02:15well done sweetheart
01:02:27bring his mother too
01:02:30mother
01:02:36stay here
01:02:39everyone these two retchels have been occupying my home illegally this bastard nearly got me killed
01:02:44two the nerve no he's lying it's our house it's always been ours do you have proof i have the
01:02:52deed
01:02:56that's our deed
01:03:00did you approach me just to steal it from us
01:03:05of course why else would i even speak to you you actually thought i'd love you
01:03:15let go of me everyone look at this what do you think it is a snake that's the devil's mark
01:03:21a bad
01:03:22omen he'll bring disaster
01:03:25could that be the dragon mark that's the dragon mark legend says whoever bears that mark can wake
01:03:31the dragon and rule the world you're crazy that's a fairy tale there's no such thing as an ancient
01:03:35dragon you old fool did i see it wrong you hired some old bard to make up this nonsense do
01:03:41you think
01:03:41you think we're all idiots kill him burn him throw this old hag into the dungeon and throw this bastard
01:03:50into the abyss
01:03:52my boy
01:04:12bye bye william a magicless wretch like you belongs in that cursed abyss this is the price of crossing me
01:04:39finally the dragon will awaken in three days
01:04:58so this is the bottom of the abyss i'm actually alive
01:05:14the dragon will awaken in three days
01:05:26legend says whoever bears that mark
01:05:28can wake the dragon and rule the world
01:05:34are you the legendary dragon egg listen to me believing tales for children
01:05:46is this magic did my magic awaken
01:05:52is this magic did my magic awaken
01:06:06okay
01:06:09a
01:06:15Help! Help!
01:06:41Thank you! You're truly my savior!
01:07:07Sorry, um, what's your name?
01:07:11Lady Olivia!
01:07:13My mother is still waiting for me in the dungeon. You should go.
01:07:18Olivia!
01:07:24Cora, I won't go through with the arranged marriage.
01:07:41Hey!
01:07:58Please!
01:07:59Mother!
01:08:06Mother!
01:08:07William!
01:08:08Run!
01:08:09Get out now!
01:08:10Charlie knows you're still alive!
01:08:12Don't worry mother.
01:08:14My magic awakened.
01:08:15I'm not powerless anymore.
01:08:25Mother.
01:08:26I'll free you.
01:08:28I promise.
01:08:30Take him.
01:08:36You freak!
01:08:37Since when can you use magic?
01:08:38Don't come any closer.
01:08:41Kill him!
01:08:53Is that all you got?
01:08:54You're a fumbling mess.
01:09:09Bastard.
01:09:10I'll kill you.
01:09:18Mother!
01:09:20My son.
01:09:21Lock him up.
01:09:23What's that?
01:09:27What's that?
01:09:32What's that?
01:09:38In three days.
01:09:40I'll burn you at the stake.
01:09:47Father, you've finally returned.
01:09:48The storms left the roads a mess.
01:09:50I heard you were in an accident.
01:09:52Three days ago, my carriage lost control and fell into the river.
01:09:55A brave man pulled me out.
01:09:57Who was he?
01:09:58I didn't catch his name.
01:09:59He didn't look like a noble.
01:10:00But he carried himself better than one.
01:10:02I'm sorry.
01:10:02Sam, prepare a generous gift for that man.
01:10:08Father, I'd like to go myself.
01:10:09Olivia, you will not keep company with strangers.
01:10:12You are to be wed to a noble family.
01:10:14No more talk of calling it off.
01:10:21Still clinging to that worthless rock?
01:10:23Guess it'll be your only company to hell.
01:10:26Only trash would treasure trash.
01:10:34Oh, my God.
01:10:40It's identical to the ancient dragon egg of legend.
01:10:43If it's still alive, then...
01:10:48Charlie, do whatever you want to me.
01:10:50Just let her go.
01:10:51Don't worry.
01:10:52Once you're a charred-up corpse, I'll naturally let her go.
01:10:55No.
01:10:55No, my boy.
01:10:57Did you see that?
01:10:59See what?
01:11:00That stone egg is hatching.
01:11:02It's alive.
01:11:04Martin, take your fairy tales and leave.
01:11:06This is no place for a dodgering old fool.
01:11:11A dragon egg?
01:11:12Please, it's a demon serpent egg.
01:11:14No!
01:11:15Only a dragon egg responds to its master's rage.
01:11:18It is demon craft!
01:11:20Look at these 13 cracks on it!
01:11:22An unlucky number!
01:11:23And look at the back of William's hand.
01:11:25It's a true serpent mark.
01:11:26The devil's creature!
01:11:28He'll bring a curse down on all of us!
01:11:33No, my boy!
01:11:36And then let us...
01:11:38Burn him!
01:11:47Light it!
01:11:50No, my boy!
01:11:52It won't work!
01:11:52The ancient dragon lord fears no fire!
01:11:55Fire is the dragon's weapon!
01:11:56Oh, shut up, you lunatic!
01:11:57Quit spouting your stupid story!
01:12:02This is the end, you pathetic wretch.
01:12:05You've got nothing left.
01:12:07I've got your house,
01:12:09your woman,
01:12:11and now...
01:12:17Your life!
01:12:19No!
01:12:21William!
01:12:22Bring her here!
01:12:26Say it!
01:12:28Say your son is cursed, pathetic bastard!
01:12:30No!
01:12:31He's not!
01:12:32No!
01:12:34No!
01:12:35No!
01:12:36No!
01:12:38No!
01:12:40No!
01:12:42No!
01:12:43Will you say it now, Hag?
01:12:45I won't!
01:12:46Say it!
01:12:46I won't!
01:12:49No!
01:12:50No!
01:12:50No!
01:12:51No!
01:13:11More fire!
01:13:31What is that?
01:13:33Increase the flames!
01:13:35Everyone, add fire!
01:13:42The new dragon lord, the king of the world.
01:13:56The new dragon lord, the king of the world.
01:14:02The holy dragon lord, the king of the world.
01:14:03What if the sky was in a living experience?
01:14:15The awesome dragon lord, the king of the world!
01:14:16The animal lord, the king of the world!
01:14:34Oh
01:14:35Hold on
01:14:39Cerberus is slaughtering civilians. We have to stop it before the dragon lord gets here
01:14:54Oh
01:15:06The dragon lord
01:15:07He's here we're going to make it
01:15:47Finish it
01:16:02My lord you saved us again. This is what the dragon temple stands for. It's what we do
01:16:10My lord you're hurt
01:16:17We're both old that fight took the last of what we had left
01:16:20Listen to me in ten years a new dragon lord will rise. He'll find his own bond and he'll protect
01:16:25this world
01:16:25When that happens you follow him
01:16:28No matter what
01:16:37We will find him
01:16:38We'll make sure he becomes what you were
01:16:41The most powerful force in this world
01:16:48You pathetic magicless rat quit running. I'll never give you my house
01:16:54Fooled. You know what defies me. No one
01:17:13Run now bastard
01:17:33William what's wrong darling? Charlie's trying to kill me
01:17:37Quick hide inside
01:17:45I got him
01:17:51Well done sweetheart
01:17:53Well done sweetheart
01:18:03Bring his mother too
01:18:06Mother
01:18:07Stay here
01:18:14No, not my boy
01:18:16Everyone these two retchels have been occupying my home illegally this bastard nearly got me killed too
01:18:22The nerve
01:18:23No, he's lying. It's our house. It's always been ours. Do you have proof? I have the deed
01:18:33That's our deed
01:18:37Did you approach me just to steal it from us
01:18:42Of course
01:18:42Of course
01:18:42Why else would I even speak to you?
01:18:45You actually thought I'd love you?
01:18:52Let go of me
01:18:53Everyone look at this
01:18:55What do you think it is?
01:18:56A snake? That's the devil's mark
01:18:58A bad omen
01:18:59He'll bring disaster
01:19:02Could that be the dragon mark?
01:19:04That's the dragon mark
01:19:05Legend says whoever bears that mark can wake the dragon and rule the world
01:19:09You're crazy. That's a fairy tale
01:19:11There's no such thing as an ancient dragon you old fool
01:19:14Did I see it wrong?
01:19:15You hired some old bard to make up this nonsense
01:19:17Do you think we're all idiots?
01:19:19Kill him
01:19:20Burn him
01:19:24Throw this old hag into the dungeon
01:19:26And throw this bastard into the abyss
01:19:29My boy
01:19:31Mother
01:19:48Bye bye William
01:19:51A magicless wretch like you belongs in that cursed abyss
01:19:55This is the price of crossing me
01:20:16Finally
01:20:18The dragon will awaken
01:20:20In three days
01:20:35This is the bottom of the abyss
01:20:36So this is the bottom of the abyss
01:20:37I'm actually alive
01:20:38I'm actually alive
01:20:52What?
01:20:53What?
01:21:03Legend says whoever bears that mark can wake the dragon and rule the world!
01:21:10Are you the legendary dragon egg?
01:21:14Listen to me, believing tales for children.
01:21:23Is this magic? Did my magic awaken?
01:21:51Help! Help!
01:22:18Thank you! You're truly my savior!
01:22:21Yes!
01:22:43Sorry, um, what's your name?
01:22:48Lady Olivia!
01:22:50My mother is still waiting for me in the dungeon. You should go.
01:22:55Olivia!
01:23:01Cora, I won't go through with the arranged marriage.
01:23:18Hey!
01:23:35Please!
01:23:36Mother!
01:23:43William!
01:23:45Run! Get out now! Charlie knows you're still alive!
01:23:49Don't worry, Mother. My magic awakened. I'm not powerless anymore.
01:24:02Mother, I'll free you. I promise.
01:24:06Take him.
01:24:12You freak! Since when can you use magic? Don't come any closer.
01:24:17Kill him!
01:24:29Is that all you got? You're a fumbling mess.
01:24:36Please.
01:24:38help him.
01:24:46Oh, my man.
01:24:47I'll kill you.
01:24:50This is me.
01:24:51Oh, my god.
01:24:52Oh, my god.
01:24:58Oh, no.
01:25:00It's a fumbling mess.
01:25:01Oh, oh, my god.
01:25:02You're a fumbling mess.
01:25:03I'm a fumbles.
01:25:15In three days, I'll burn you at the stake.
01:25:23Father, you've finally returned.
01:25:25The storm's left the roads a mess. I heard you were in an accident.
01:25:28Three days ago, my carriage lost control and fell into the river.
01:25:31A brave man pulled me out.
01:25:33Who was he?
01:25:35I didn't catch his name. He didn't look like a noble.
01:25:37But he carried himself better than one.
01:25:40Sam, prepare a generous gift for that man.
01:25:45Father, I'd like to go myself and...
01:25:46Olivia, you will not keep company with strangers.
01:25:48You are to be wed to a noble family.
01:25:50No more talk of calling it off.
01:25:58Still clinging to that worthless rock?
01:26:00Guess it'll be your only company to hell.
01:26:02Only trash would treasure trash.
01:26:11Oh my god.
01:26:16It's identical to the ancient dragon egg of legend.
01:26:20If it's still alive, then...
01:26:25Charlie, do whatever you want to me. Just let her go.
01:26:28Oh, don't worry. Once you're a charred-up corpse, I'll naturally let her go.
01:26:31No! No, my boy!
01:26:34Did you see that?
01:26:35See what?
01:26:37That stone egg is hatching.
01:26:39It's alive!
01:26:40Martin, take your fairy tales and leave.
01:26:43This is no place for a dodgering old fool.
01:26:48A dragon egg?
01:26:49Please, it's a demon serpent egg.
01:26:51No!
01:26:52Only a dragon egg responds to its master's rage.
01:26:55It is demon craft!
01:26:57Look at these 13 cracks on it!
01:26:59An unlucky number!
01:27:00And look at the back of William's hand.
01:27:01It's a true serpent mark.
01:27:03The devil's creature!
01:27:05He'll bring a curse down on all of us!
01:27:10No, my boy!
01:27:13And then let us...
01:27:15Burn him!
01:27:23Light it!
01:27:27No, my boy!
01:27:28It won't work!
01:27:29The ancient dragon lord fears no fire!
01:27:31Fire is the dragon's weapon!
01:27:33Oh, shut up, you lunatic!
01:27:34Quit spouting your stupid story!
01:27:39This is the end, you pathetic wretch.
01:27:42You've got nothing left.
01:27:44I've got your house, your woman, and now...
01:27:54Your life!
01:27:56No!
01:27:57William!
01:27:59Bring her here.
01:28:03Say it.
01:28:04Say your son is cursed, pathetic bastard!
01:28:07No!
01:28:08He's not!
01:28:18Will you say it now, Hag?
01:28:21I won't!
01:28:23Say it!
01:28:23I won't!
01:28:26Mother!
01:28:27Mother!
01:28:28Stop!
01:28:42I won't!
01:28:43I won't!
01:28:47I won't!
01:28:49I won't!
01:28:49I won't!
01:28:53I won't!
01:28:56I won't!
01:28:57I won't!
01:29:00I won't!
01:29:01I won't!
01:29:02I won't!
01:29:03I won't!
01:29:03I won't!
01:29:03I won't!
01:29:07What is that?
01:29:10Increase the flames!
01:29:12Everyone, add fire!
01:29:19The new dragon lord.
01:29:21The king of the world.
01:29:32You.
01:29:35The new dragon lord.
01:29:36The new dragon lord.
01:29:58This year's the new dragon lord.
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