Vincent sat in the darkened parlor of his upscale estate, staring into the embers of what had been a roaring fire hours ago. His black frock coat was wrapped around the small form in his lap, contrasting sharply against the rich burgundy armchair he was seated in. The girl was curled up against his chest, and he stroked her hair soothingly as she twitched in her fitful sleep, muttering words he couldn't comprehend. Vincent was shaking slightly, thought he wasn't sure if it was from the cold, or from the knowledge of what they'd done to his Suzy.
His Suzy.
Yes, he supposed, she was his. When the world mistreated her, or when some miscreant boy she dated broke her heart into a thousand pieces, it was always he that fixed things, that repaired the damage others had done. And she would do the same for him, were the tables turned – she'd helped him with all his problems, and without judging, mocking, or telling his secrets, no matter how petty, small, or futile they may be.
The elegant man sighed, positioning his arms securely around Suzy as he rose from the chair. It would do no good for her to get sick on top of everything else, he told himself, as he carried her away. He made his way down the hallway, stewing in his vengeful thoughts as he cared for his slightly younger friend. Quick strides carried him swiftly to his bedroom, where he carefully removed her shoes and the coat he'd wrapped around her, and tucked her safely between the warm sheets of his large, four-poster bed. As he moved a stray lock of hair from her face, he vowed to make them pay, all of them. The one that had hurt her this time, and all those before him – there would be no discrimination in the punishment they would receive from him.
Crossing the room, he retrieved a blanket for himself and quietly pulled a chair near the bed. He extinguished what little light there had been in the room, save one lamp, and sank lightly into the chair. His mind eased a bit as he watched Suzy's breath finally start to even out.
This was the last time.
Vincent pulled the blanket more securely over his tall form, pushing the dark, tangled hair from his hooded and bloodshot eyes. A single tear made its way down his prominent nose as he thought about the immense pain his friend was going through. He was worried deeply about her; he'd been awake for hours, just watching over her, making sure that at least her sleep was undaunted. He closed his eyes wearily, knowing he should rest soon, to be able to care for her when she woke. The troubled man was soon lulled to sleep by Suzy's soft breathing, and a single, possessing thought:
