Burial at Sea: epsiode 3 (part 3)

A transorbital lobotomy. I screamed in rage as I watched what Atlas did. My knuckles were raw and bloody from punching the wall. Robert tried to talk me down, and then restrained me physically. I'll give him an A for effort.

It was only when Rosalind spoke up that I managed to calm myself. "This is what the girl wants."

I didn't understand it. Even when they explained what Elizabeth was doing my mind wouldn't accept it. They talked about cleaning up mistakes and repenting for sins. But it didn't make sense. Elizabeth wasn't a killer, she wasn't a monster driven by revenge. That's not Elizabeth.

But it was, wasn't it? I heard the hate in her voice when she talked about Comstock. That's the kind of hate that kills. They tell me this is the only way, and I play my part. Elizabeth will beat this, she's no monster.

I try and tell myself that. But as I watch her make the walk down the dark corridor to Atlas and his gang I begin to feel a knot in my stomach. A sudden realization.

"What's she doing?" I ask, turning back to the Luteces.

"Doing what she must." Robert says matter-of-factly.

Shaking my head I grab Robert's coat. "No, no this isn't right."

"This is what the girl wants, and what we've worked for." He replies coldly."

"You included." Rosalind adds.

"I-no, this isn't what I wanted." I plead with the Luteces. "I'm killing her!"

"You're absolving her of her sins."

"Please, please just take me there. I-I'll stop him! We can save her!"

Rosalind is as impassive as ever. "I'm afraid that she must do this on her own."

"This is what the girl wants."

As they say this Atlas strikes her once and again in the head. I watch the blood flow from her wound. I watch Atlas and his men leave her to her fate, one of them even laughs.

I stand by and do nothing as the girl comforted Elizabeth in her last moments. And I stand by and do nothing as the life left Elizabeth's eyes. I stand by and don't do a god damn thing, like I was told to do.

"It's time, brother."

"The slate is clean. Here is your reward, paid in full."

"I-" Suddenly I find myself in Suchong's office.

As I fall to my knees I heave, trying to expel food and water that isn't there. My mind is tearing itself apart. So this was their plan? That's it? Elizabeth dies and I'm left to rot in this prison? I raged on the inside, trying to cope with the the loss of the only person who meant a damn to me anymore and the betrayal of the two people I thought could save her.

In my anger I fail to notice the green glow right in front of me until it had reached a blinding brightness. "What the-"

Raising an arm I shield my eyes, waiting for the light to subside. And when it does: Elizabeth. It was Elizabeth. No blood, no wounds. Just laying there like she up and took a nap.

I scramble over to her and took her pulse. She was alive. I didn't understand it, but she was alive. Choking out a cry half-way between a laugh and a cry I remove her from the machine and set her on a table that I hastily clear with a free hand. "Paid in full." I whisper under my breath.

Slowly she opens her eyes, struggling to adjust to the light. As she does a look of realization and confusion spreads across her face. I
manage to pull myself together just enough to greet her with a warm smile. She deserves it.

"I-are...are you?" Her voice comes out a sob as she reaches up and feels the stubble on my cheek.

Taking her into my arms I reply with an unsteady voice. "Real enough."