Liberi Reader

Mighty big ruckus you've caused, Mr. Anthony.

Had I not known all about your plan in advance, I'm afraid not even I could've stopped you.

You're Jesselton?

That's right. I'm Jesselton.

I'm sure you've noticed we've passed by each other in the prison a couple times, but allow me to introduce myself again.

My name is Jesselton Williams, the very last obstacle to your prison break charade.

Where's Domma?

Right here.

......

Anthony, I'm sorry.

I was waitin' here for you. I didn't expect this guy to barge into the clinic with the prisoners...

Domma...

This is such a gloomy place. It would be unbecoming of me to let a beautiful lady wait here all by herself.

That's why I figured I'd offer her my protection.

Mr. Jesselton...

Oh, Ms. Robin, it looks like I was expecting a little too much from you. What a disappointment.

Or perhaps you never tried to kill him in the first place?

I...

She failed, and your lackeys couldn't hurt me.

Yet you spared her life. I must say, you are a fine gentleman, Mr. Anthony.

Save it.

Very well. Let us get straight to the point.

Mr. Anthony, if you don't want this young lady to die, please step over here.

......

Ms. Kafka, I would appreciate it if you would stay right there.

I can tell you're the opportunistic kind. Please try not to do anything that would put Ms. Domma in harm's way.

Hmph.

......

Yes, just stand right there.

All of you, surround him.

Anthony, don't listen to him!

It's okay, Domma. We are going to save you.

I have to hand it to you, Mr. Anthony. It's admirable that you are able to stay calm even in such a precarious situation.

I'm sure you know what it is that I want, and you also know that I won't spare you out of compassion.

Here's my suggestion. Abandon the lady, abandon your affectations, and come fight me.

You're wasting your breath.

I wonder how long you can keep this up.

And you, Ms. Robin.

Eh?

I would like you to kill Mr. Anthony. After all, you still have a job to do.

It doesn't matter what kind of agreement you've made with Mr. Anthony or if you've had a change of heart, for whatever reason.

If you want the money, and if you want to save your father, then this is your last, best hope.

......

I...

Why the hesitation? Did Anthony promise you a blank check? Or have you grown soft on him after all this time?

Last chance, Ms. Robin.

I... I...

Think of your father. Think of how your life is in tatters. Think of your future, your wish.

If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate.

What are you trying to do?

What am I trying to do?

Isn't it obvious? If all I wanted was to kill you, I've had plenty of chances here.

But that would be a li'l bit boring, wouldn't it?

I've never found killing someone all that much fun, Mr. Anthony.

But I really enjoy those moments when a person is faced with no choice but to abandon their past.

That is why I lured Ms. Robin here. I long to see her change. I crave for her fall.

And I thirst for your change as well. I thirst for the moment you finally lose your cool and bare your fangs, all for the sake of your family, your goals!

I mean it, Mr. Anthony. Take off your gentleman's facade.

Think of your family. Think of all you've been through, the humiliations you've faced. Think of the reason you're breaking out of this prison.

Do you really want to die here?

Do you really want to throw your life away for a woman you've only known a few years?

Stand up, Mr. Anthony. Push Ms. Robin aside, forget Ms. Domma, come at me and kill me!

Not everyone out there is like you, Jesselton.

You should know that you aren't all that special either, Anthony.

I'll give you five seconds, Ms. Robin. If you don't act, I'll do it myself, and you'll die here with him.

Five.

Ms. Robin, you have yet to pay off your father's medical bills, and Mr. Anthony is penniless.

Anthony, I...

Four.

Mr. Anthony, your parents are having a miserable time in prison. They're being ostracized.

Father, mother...

Three.

Anthony, don't worry about me! You can't die here!

Hmph!

Gah...

Guess what, bitch? You ain't killing yourself on my watch.

Ro...bin... don't...

Well, Ms. Domma is quite a bit more fiery than I expected. How admirable.

Alas, it didn't go as she planned.

Jes-sel-ton.

Now that's the face I want to see, Mr. Anthony. Wonderful.

......

I'm curious. What is it that fuels your conviction?

Do you think your death can buy my sympathy for everyone else here?

Are your principles worth that much to you?

Perhaps you still have a card up your sleeve?

I've done much to betray my principles in this prison.

I sweet-talked the jailers, stuck up for Barton, fought those I didn't want to fight, and lived a life I didn't want to live.

This has nothing to do with principles.

This only has to do with me.

I won't sacrifice Domma for my own ends. That's all there is to it.

Even though your family is still waiting for you?

You have no right to talk about my family.

Even though you have revenge to take and questions you need answered?

None of that is more important than the life of a friend.

Even if it ends up killing you?

Even if it ends up killing me.

Anthony...

You have to think everything through and make your own choices. Then, you need to take responsibility for each of those choices.

Otherwise, you'll never be able to take your fate into your own hands.

You must scrutinize yourself and think about what it is that you want to do.

Anthony...

How regrettable.

Well then. Two.

One.

Ms. Robin, I understand your struggle, but you have a decision to make.

Anthony.

No matter what you end up doing, don't regret your decision, Robin.

Right.

Gurghh!

Anthony, leave Domma to me!

Tsk! You prick!

Heh, you two sure kept me waiting!

When did you...?!

...Euggh...

Anthony!

*Roars*!!!

So this is the trick you had up your sleeve.

You knew Ms. Robin was on your side?

Perhaps your offer wasn't enticing enough.

Are you sure about this, Ms. Robin?

From where I'm standing, you have chosen a path that has no future.

It's true that if it wasn't for the Simons, my father wouldn't have turned out like that, but it's his fault for not getting back up on his feet.

I knew that. I just didn't want to accept it.

And I... really don't want to do that either.

Anthony promised to come up with something to raise money for my father's medical bills.

But that doesn't actually matter.

I've decided I'm not going to kill Anthony, and even if he doesn't help me, I'll come up with something else myself.

And if my father dies before I get the money, then I...

Then I'll kill myself and apologize to him in hell.

That's my decision.

......

Beautiful. Beautiful indeed.

What a beautiful resolve, Ms. Robin.

I suppose you've made your decision. You want to turn your back on our agreement because of that resolve.

Very well. Who am I to blame you for that? I should applaud you for making that decision, even.

That said, I still have to point out one thing.

When I said this path had no future, I didn't mean you won't have much of a future after your little jailbreak.

I mean it all ends right here and now.

There isn't a future where you make it out of this prison alive.

I guess we'll have to see about that.