Tragic Impulse

by Roman Shepp

  “That's what she said, but I won't listen to you. I didn't listen to her, and I won't listen to you!” he said. Tony wondered what he was talking about. The man's mind was fractured, and Tony now was filled with more pity, more compassion than before. Quentin needed help badly. Tony was the only one in the world who could provide it.

  “She told me that she never was going to leave me, but she did. She tried to tell me I could be a good man, but I can't,” Quentin said, spittle flying from his mouth. He became more agitated with every word, his body shaking, convulsing. He blushed and his words blurred into one incoherent mess as the panic seized him.

  “Yes, you can, Quentin. You can, and you will be. I'm right here. I'm right here and I exist. I'm not going to leave until you're better.”

  “No. I've done horrible things. Bad things. Things that needed to be done that were bad. All those people. She'd never understand. I'm not the man she thought I was.”

  “You've done a lot, but you always can do more. As long as you're alive you can make up for your mistakes. There's still hope for you, Quentin. You say that you don't believe in heroes, but you don't need to. All you need to believe is that you can be better than you were today.”

  “No...” Quentin whined, tears streaming down his face. It was incredibly humbling for Tony to witness a man’s breakdown.

  “Yes, Quentin. Yes. You can. I'm going to stay here with you. Nobody on Earth is innocent. We've all done bad things. I've killed people and I have to live with that every day. We've all been through trauma, and there's probably a lot more to come as well. That doesn't mean we have to give up on life, though. We still can be healthy. We still can be happy. All we have to do is turn away from the darkness in our minds and look to the light. Accept that there is still hope. Even if you can't, I'll still accept it for you.”

  Quentin shook his head, blubbering, unable to speak.

  “Just take off the mask, Quentin. Take off the mask and let me see you properly,” Tony said, hoping that by removing the mask Quentin would be able to embrace his humanity once again, and cast off the monstrous identity he had built for himself.

  “DON'T TAKE MY FACE!” he screamed, so loudly that even Groot backed away.

  The hairs on the back of Tony's neck rose. Was there any hope for the man? Tony was exhausted. He'd tried everything, but still felt as though he wasn't any closer than before. There was only one more thing left to try. He rose. Quentin didn't look at him.

  “Leave me. Just leave me. Maybe the best place for me is to be left down here.”

  “No, Quentin. That's not what I'm going to do. It sounds as though too many people have turned their backs on you, and I'm not going to do the same thing. I don't think you're a monster. I think you're a man who has been through a lot and just needs reminding of what life truly means. If you want to kill me, then go ahead, but I don't think you do. I think you've had enough of killing.”

  Tony's heart thundered as he moved toward the giant and reached around, untying the ropes. This could be the end of him. Although something inside told him that the only way to help Quentin was to stop treating him like some kind of animal. The ropes loosened, and Quentin pushed himself away.

  “What are you doing?” Quentin asked, raising his hands in defense.

  “I'm leaving this bunker,” Tony said, “and I want you to come with me.”

  Tony turned his back to Quentin, trying not to show the fear that throbbed through his body. He walked to the bunker’s exit and opened the door. Daylight spilled in. Stepping outside, he looked back and saw that Quentin still was following him. Tony prayed that he was making the right decision.

  Find out what happens in part four! Available Now!

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