In the midst of a night, I sat in my armchair. Starring at the fireplace with no flames. Nothing but swirling above. Just as how my own thoughts swirled. Recalling the moment I have felt as if my power is regained. No more wounds will be taken from his words. As I am deep in thought an intruding sound interrupts. Bang! Bang! It is my door. I groggily stood up and walked towards the door.
"Who dares to interfere with my busy schedule?" I muttered on my way.
I swing the door open to find a man from the police department who I recognize though since it is a cold Sunday he is not wearing his uniform but his long coat. Though I do remember on one time he told me he is not on duty on Sundays. Why is Ameplio here?
"Hello Mr. Montressor, I have come here just to ask a few questions regarding the disappearance of Fortunato. You see, some-"
"Now stop right there. I have already discussed this subject with many of your workers. Though I am glad they sent you this time, I have answered the same things many times. Yet you all still seem to insist. After all it has already been three years, why not just let the matter go?"
"Well for you it might already be three years but for others it is just three years. You know Fortunato's family is not the kind to give up without what they want."
There was a long silence holding up between us. As he looks away I study him carefully for this young man is no longer himself. He has dark bags under his eyes and a plastered look of worry flashes for a second across his face.
"Come in." I tell him, "Looks to me you need a glass of wine."
"Oh no, I must not. I have so much more work to do."
"Do I not recall you are not on duty on Sundays."
"Technically, yes. Though this duty is one to never end."
"At most you can just say you were interrogating me again."
"Fair enough I see your point."
He steps inside and I have one of my attendants to take care of his coat. He is wearing some black trousers and a gray long sleeve formal shirt tucked in and folded at the sleeves.
I call out to another attendant, "Henry, go fetch some Amontillado for my guest and I."
"Actually, if it is not too much I prefer something other than Amontillado."
"Very well then," I turn to Henry "Anything but Amontillado." He nods and walks away. leaving me starring at Ameplio.
"I suppose you want an explanation of why the rejection of Amontillado."
"It is actually needless to say considering I already know. Therefore I truly apologize for it is not appropriate of your case."
"You know it never bothered me-" Henry enters the room
A tray in Henrys hand with two glass wines and a bottle. He walks towards me and hands me a glass then to Ameplio. As Henry pours a light yellowish-carmel color into our glasses he introduces the wine to us.
"Pinot Grigio, a grape vine which newly got planted here." he says, "Is that all Master Montressor."
"All for now, Henry." He nods and walks away.
After several discussions, that are not related to each other, and a great deal of sips I began to feel drowsy. I assume Ameplio felt the same way considering he has been blabbing about God knows what.
"Secrets," he muttered "Kills people in many ways."
"It does not kill me though." I replied "If anything the secret is that it killed another. There is no one to trust. I had to learn that the hard way. Thankfully, my problem was fixed by me."
"How so?"
I hesitated for a long moment, not really thinking on the matter of Fortunato's death, so I told him.
"I thought you said you do not trust anyone so how could you tell me and I told another which makes you tell me again and again... and what?"
"That is very true. Though, I suppose you are too drunk to even understand. Nor remember. Now will you excuse me. I will be back in a while."
I left to the bathroom. I bent over the sink to wash my hands and pour the clear liquid over my face to refresh. I look at the mirror. There staring back at me is a man who looks sick and weary. Someone must help this man for he cannot be controlled. "You will not get away with this." I whispered to the man. Just then something clicked in his mind, or was it my mind? Who knows, but I went back. "Follow me Ameplio. Something I want to show you of your interest." Too stupefied to object he followed. "We are going to the place where it all happened." As we went there I explained everything else I left out.
"You see Ameplio, he not only insulted me by not keeping a secret. Fortunato also insulted me by telling lies that have some sort of truth which makes it more believable. It is amazing how words have a way to one's mind. He not only told my wife of my affair with another but also said I have a child with another."
"Well did you?"
"I do not know." We have arrived.
"Hm."
"This is where his death happened. Now I have been thinking a lot about what you said with trust." I began to explain as I picked up some chains, "Maybe two are able to keep a secret if there is no one to tell. Though I will be doing this a bit differently, so please don't make this harder and just obey," And so he did.
I did everything the same way as before. I built up the wall and chained my victim. Only difference is that I am with my victim. Along with a pistol which I hand to him. His hands shake as he holds it. As I turn to make sure the chains are intact. I can feel the presence of the pistol by my head. "Not yet I whispered." He puts it down. I turn and bend down on my knees facing him. "I have gone mad. There is no way to stop this. Only way is to kill me. One side, I want others to suffer which is my bad side. My good side I just want to die." I began to sob like a small brat. "Inside that pistol is only one bullet. I give you the choice. You may use it on yourself to get your death over with and just leave me here where I have a chance in escaping for I am not the chained one, or you could use it on me and you stay here and suffer when you have ended my suffering. Though your blood is the same as the rest therefore I know your choice will be to have your death."
He just stares at me. "I am not my father's son." He raises his hand and-
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