Sweat dripped down his stone face as he sat in that cell. The anxiety in his stomach was something unfamiliar to him. He'd never felt so nervous, so terrified of his fate. He'd always been strong, never weak. He believed that fear was weak, and only little things scared him. But he wasn't afraid for himself as much as he was afraid for her. The girl. Without her, he couldn't have seen what he had seen. Couldn't have changed his heart. He was a different man now because of her. Elizabeth.
Her name was forever branded into his memory. A story that could be told for decades. The beautiful girl with the troubled past. Her story mirrored many, although it's pages were different. The man that first looked upon her was a man on a mission, but now.. he was a man with a wish. A wish that she could have a normal life. The girl was a woman now. All thanks to him. But at what cost? She endured so much suffering and so much betrayal. No young child deserves that struggle.
Booker DeWitt was a man of few morals. He never faltered under anyone's hand. Elizabeth was the only person who broke through his tough barier. She was the woman he had feared and respected all in one moment. She was the person he would never be. They were total opposites, and yet they were one. Her personality shone through all the darkness in this world. All the people that were just like Booker. Not a damn thing would make her innocent again. The light had faded from her glow like a distant memory. It was all his fault. Every single second he lingered, she lost another part of her light.
Booker looked up from his thoughts, the cell walls closing in on his. He wasn't one to be afraid of closed spaces, but the darkness and tightness of the cell made his anxiety worse. He stood from the hard cot, pacing around the room. The ceiling hung low, and Booker's head barely missed the top. He was a large man; another factor that made the small area tidious. Booker cursed himself, feeling another wave of depression hit him like a whirlwind. His head pounded, making the rest of his body feel sore as well. He and Elizabeth had been on the run for what seemed like days. But it had only been at least one, maybe two. He had lost count after all the fights they encountered.
He couldn't look out of the window. The floating city and all of it's inhabitants reminded him of her. Everything reminded him of her. Everytime he looked down at his hands, and at the blue bandage that was wrapped around his right hand. Everything. She was everwhere, implanted in his mind like a tattoo. The scars would never heal. "Come on," He mumbled to himself, "She's just some girl." But she wasn't just 'some girl' and he knew that. With every passing moment, she became more to him than a tool or a mission. She was a friend and an ally.
His feelings about her turned from forced to real. He really did care about her and want to protect her. Even from the first time she was disgusted by him. At first he was annoyed by her persistance and stubborness, but with time it became cute. He didn't want her to stop talking. Everything she said to him was implanted into his brain. She was special to him, but he had failed her. Just like he had done to everything he had ever had in his life. He failed her, and he failed himself. The promises he made to keep her safe, keep her protected. He was a failure. And there was nothing he could do to replace that.
His green eyes skimmed the jail, looking at every inch. He had been in here for almost a week, awaiting his punishments. He was the only one in here, besides a guard that stood by the door, unmoving. He was a lean man, much larger than Booker. The man's blonde mustache twitched over his thin lips. Booker made eye contact with him, and the man sneered. He looked at him like scum. Booker didn't see himself any different than the guard did. He knew he wasn't worthy of anyone's respect. He killed people. People that didn't deserve to die. Everyone wanted him dead, and he even wanted himself to feel pain.
Why now? Why did he feel remorse now? All his life he had enjoyed seeing the blood of his enemies on his hands. Why did this time make it different? Booker sighed, sitting back down on the cott. His hand covered his head, feeling the quick pounding against his forehead. None of his life made any sense to him, much less his past. There was some parts he remembered, and some parts he didn't. Why did he even come to this city in the first place? What had he done before this? What was his purpose here? He knew some answers, but they weren't clear to him. He came to this city in search of a girl, so he could repay debts he owed. All he knew about that was he gambled.
He could remember those nights he'd sit and throw his money away. But he didn't remember faces. He knew of his war past, but not of any faces but those who mattered. He remembered only parts of his life, and to him that was odd. He could barley even remember the important people to him. Only one name made it past all the bariers in his foggy memory. Anna. He sighed, putting his face in his hands. Why couldn't he remember anything? What was so hard about his memory that he couldn't grasp?
"I guess I'll never know."
Clearing his throat, he slid off the bandage on his hand. The stab wound had scabbed over, and dried blood surrounded the small cut. He looked down at it, almost smiling. The wound wasn't anything he hadn't felt before, but when he recieved it... Elizabeth had run off shortly after. She was scared to see him fight, but she accepted it fairly quickly. Booker wished he could see her face one last time. She always calmed him down. Something about her smile and gorgeous blue eyes gave him hope.
The door opened, making Booker jump up from his cott. A man walked through the door, nodding to the guard. He allowed him to approach Booker's cell. The man leaned against the cell, staring at Booker. "Hello, Mr. DeWitt." He nodded, standing with his hands by his sides. He didn't need to cause any more confrentation. The man watched him closely, as if making sure he didn't make any sudden moves. "Your trial is set for tomorrow afternoon. A guard will come and retrieve you when we are ready for you," He said. His voice was slick and gruff. Booker nodded, and the man looked towards the guard near the door.
"Make sure Mr. DeWitt is alowed a shower before his trial." The guard nodded, looking up at Booker with the same sneer. It didn't bother him, but it did give him a reason to steer clear of him. The strange man left, the door slamming behind him. Booker stared after him, his head feeling light. A trial. He knew that he would have to be put under a trail, but he didn't think he'd be so nervous. What would he be accused of? What would be his fate? But he knew the answers all too well. He knew there was no forgiveness for what he had done. But his worries didn't stop there.
What would happen to Elizabeth?
He knew that Comstock would never let her go. She will never be the same again. He would turn her into the heir he had always wanted her to be. There was no doubt in his mind that she'd be changed. All her hopes and dreams will be crushed. No hopes, no dreams, no innocence. She will be a living doll, doing things that they make her think is right. Booker wished that her fate could be different, but once they were caught he knew there fates would be damned. There was nothing left of them now. They were only pawns in this world. They weren't the decision makers or the revolutioners. They weren't martyr's. They were just small, unchangable wishers.
The guard slammed on the cell. Booker's eyes stared at the guard. "Lights out, DeWitt," He snarled. The man nodded, watching as the guard cut off the lights. Booker sat down again on the screaching bed, kicking off his boots. The stars shined through the small cell window. Booker didn't look up, refusing to look at it. There was nothing he wanted to see. Everything wasn't beautiful or interesting anymore. It all made him angry. Nothing was beautiful in this life anymore.
He laid down on his back, his arms resting behind his head. The low ceiling seemed high above him now. Grime filled it's creases, but the place was surprisingly clean. Booker sighed, closing his eyes. He tried sleeping, but his body couldn't lie still. When he closed his eyes, all he could see was Elizabeth. Her smile, her bright eyes, her tough words that kept him thinking. He chuckled to himself, not wanting to open his eyes. She was his only escape from this god forsaken place. She felt like home to him.
Sleep came to him much earlier than he had expected. He didn't even realize when he had fallen asleep, but he knew that he must be dreaming. He was standing in front of Elizabeth's tower as it fell from the sky. He looked down at his hands, the blue bandage and the wound gone. "What the-"
"Booker?"
He turned around, seeing Elizabeth standing behind him. She wore her light blue dress that she had been wearing the day they met, and her hair was long again. Her blue eyes shined, and her smile made his body feel warm. "Booker!" She screamed, running towards him. When she crashed into him, his body felt rigid as stone. Even as she hugged him, he still stood, motionless. He stared down at her, not knowing what to do. She pulled back from him, staring into his eyes.
"I missed you!" She said, grinning. He smiled, chuckling softly to himself. He ran a hand through her soft, black hair. She was small compared to him, but she was very tough. Booker had misunderstood her many times, but she always proved herself to be stronger than she was. She reached up, touching his face. He remembered the first day they had met. She was so surprised to see him, she touched his face just like she did now. Only this time it was with care instead of intruige.
The young girl stood there, looking as beautiful as ever. Booker stared down at her, unable what to do with himself. He longed to see her face again, and now was the perfect time. But he was nervous. A grown man being this nervous was almost insulting, but he took it as a compliment to her. She always made him feel unusual and different. "What's wrong?" She asked, her eyes softening. Booker shook his head, cupping her cheek. "Nothin'. I missed you too." She smiled, leaning into his touch.
The two stood there for several minutes, not saying anything. Finally, Elizabeth pulled him into another hug. This time, he held her tightly, not letting her go for anything. "Booker?" She asked. He still held her tightly against him, but nodded. "You really are my only friend. I wish we didn't have to leave each other." Her voice was shaky, and her body shook. He pulled away, staring down at her. Tears filled her eyes, and she tried to hide her face from his. Booker sighed, whipping away the tears from her eyes. "Don't cry," He mumbled. She shook her head, whipping them away with her palm. "I'm not crying."
He chuckled, pulling her over to a small bench. The two sat down beside each other. Booker lifted her chin, looking at her soft eyes. She sniffed, trying to push back her tears. He knew that she wanted to cry, but he wouldn't let her. He wanted her to be happy in this moment, not sad. "You listen to me. You're a strong girl. Elizabeth, I mean it. Don't cry. I don't know what is going to happen to me, but I want you to be strong. You gotta be strong for me." His words surprised himself, but with her they seemed genuine. His heart ached to see her like this. He had to give her a last striving hope.
She nodded, swallowing hard. Booker grabbed her small hand, holding it in his. His were large compared to hers, but they fit perfectly. She laughed, letting her fingers curl around his. It wasn't romantic as it was almost fartherly. She always saw him as a protector and a real friend. "What will happen to you?" She asked. Booker shook his head. "I don't know, but don't worry about me."
"How can I not?"
He squeezed her hand. "Just..." He sighed, wishing he had something to tell her. Elizabeth laughed, leaning over and kissing his cheek. He was surprised by her guesture, and he felt an uncomfortable warmth that came once she pulled back. "We should just enjoy this moment together," She said, smiling. He nodded, the warmth still bothering him. She giggled, shaking her head. "Are you blushing, Booker?" The man snorted, letting go of her head. "No," He retorted. Elizabeth laughed, standing up. She grabbed his hands, pulling him up. Booker chuckled, but stood up and followed her.
They walked down the streets of Columbia, holding hands. She loved the feeling of her hand and his. It gave her reassurance and peace. Booker felt nervous as he walked beside her. How long would this dream last, he wondered. He wasn't sure if he could let her go. But he braved through it, relishing the moment. The city was deserted, but they didn't mind. Elizabeth led him to a beautiful park filled with flowers and trees. She sat on the grass, breathing in the smell of the flowers and the air. She pulled him down beside her, looking up at the pretty sky above them.
"Isn't it beautiful, Booker?" She asked. He nodded, watching her as she stared at the sky with that beautiful smile. Booker chuckled, smirking. Elizabeth took down her hair, lying down on her back. She stared up at the sky, then looked over at Booker. "What?" He asked, chuckling again. She shrugged, running her hand through her long hair. "Do you ever feel like there's so much more you could do, but you never got the chance?" Her question stunned him for a moment. He thought for a second, then shrugged. "Sometimes you have to deal with the cards you're dealt." She nodded, looking down at her feet.
"Sometimes I think that if my life were different, maybe I could've made a difference. Maybe I could have had a chance to be myself," She said. Booker nodded, looking at her with sympathy. She laughed, shaking it off. "Of course.. I never would've met you, so maybe my pain was good after all." Her words made Booker feel something he'd never felt before. His heart ached even more for her, but he also felt more admiration for her. She was the best person, and even Booker had to admit that she was very smart. Her mind was aged so far beyond compare. Even his experience couldn't top her maturity. It was hard to believe she was only eighteen.
Elizabeth sat up, her black hair flowing over her shoulders in waves. She leaned her head on Booker's shoulder, breathing a sigh. "Booker, I don't know what I'm going to do without you, but you showed me so many things. Maybe they weren't always the best things, but you did teach me that the world isn't perfect." Booker smiled for the first time in a long time. Her words gave him such a fuzzy feeling. The feeling was new to him, but he wished he would've felt it sooner. It was amazing to have her with him again. Even if it was only for a short time. Her presence gave him a chance to be different. It made him a different person. The person he had always thought was never there.
He lifted her chin, staring into her deep blue eyes. She smiled, laughing softly. "Booker, are you crying?" She asked. The man shrugged, not wanting to know. But he could feel something wet on his cheeks. Crying for him was a sign of weakness, but right now he didn't give a damn. All he cared about was the lovely lady before him. She was a part of him now. A part of him that gave him a feeling of hope and strength. She gave him something to stand for, something to guide him to the right way. The way he was living before was a distant memory now. He just wanted to be the man that she would look up to. He wanted Elizabeth to respect him, just like he respected her.
"Elizabeth, I-"
He couldn't find the words. As he looked at her, she was everything that anyone wished they were. She was the hope that humanity needed. She was everything he needed. Everything that he wasn't. Booker chuckled, trying to tell her what his heart felt. "I-" She smiled, seeing the nervousness on his face. The two sat there for a long time, just staring at each other. He didn't understand this feeling, but he felt like it was always there.
Something special about her that he didn't fully get. He and Elizabeth had a connection that neither of them could describe, but it was an old connection. A connection he had been missing for so long that felt like it was finally recovered. He felt his body fading away suddenly. He became scared. "No," He said, pulling her close. She smiled, tears rushing to her eyes. She leaned forward, but Booker drifted away before she could kiss him one last time.