It was a very long time before we were allowed back into the house, but our story checked out. We sat in the bedroom that had formerly been our master's. Oh, I'm so glad they believed us, I sighed. Well, its not as if it was our fault that Frank set the reactor power too high, Riff said, sitting down next to me. I laughed softly. There's no one around now. You don't have to say that. He looked at me, puzzled. I stared back with the same confusion. You...do remember, don't you?
Of course, its what we told every one, he said. I was getting a bit scared. Had he convinced himself of our story? We killed them, Riff, we did it. You have to remember, I said, beginning to panic. And that couple, they were there too. Don't you remember this? You have to! I stood, grabbing his shoulders. No, Magenta, he said sternly. It was and accident, it was Frank's fault!
Riff, please! You have to remember! You can lie to everyone, we have to, but not to yourself, not to me. We did it, Riff, we killed them, it was us! We killed-
I felt his open hand slap hard across my face. I stumbled, then stood frozen in shock. He had never hit me before. He loved me...didn't he? Was he losing his mind? It seemed that way.
He stepped close to me, gently touching my cheek with the back of his hand. I was confused; I didn't know whether to embrace him or back away; I just stood still. he whispered, I'm sorry. You know I love you. I nodded, leaning my head against him. But you have to believe it happened that way. If you don't, they won't either, he said softly, almost soothingly, but I found no comfort in his words. I nodded slightly, afraid of what he would do if I said no again.
