Marianna's Fate

The weather should not be this nice. The sky should not be as clear and bright. It should be dreary and cold. This world will soon lose a beautiful soul. By her own choice, but she has been driven to that choice.

I met Marianna at a local party. She was surely the local beauty and many were buzzing around her asking her to fance and to be near her.

I always find i lt amusing to watch. And i have to admit she surely is a beauty. Though often with people who are beautiful their attitudes are less desirable. With Marianna this was not the case, she was smart, witty and slightly sarcastic. Good sense of humor.

I became friends with her. She was easy to make friends with. I learned she was betrothed to a dashing young man Daniel McCormick. We saw eachother regularly, the two of them even tried to find a suitor for me. But i politely declined. I was not there to find love or a mate or even a plaything.

It didn't ruin the fun we had though. One day Daniel had invited a man along with us as we were having dinner. It was under the disguise of a suitor for me, but during the evening it became clear he was more interested in Marianna. She felt uncomfortable and Daniel didn't seem to mind. On later inquiry i learned he was one of a higher official in the country.

After that one dinner it happened often that we ran into eachother. When we were with the three off us. It was all a coincidence, or well that is what Daniel and the official kept saying. There is not that much coincidence that it should happen this often.

After a few months Marianna and i sat together talking laughing and the mandatory gossip. When the official came by. He tried to give me the look to leave but i played blissfully ignorant of it.

He then offered Marianna to marry him, just like that. If she would accept she would get all her hearts desires.

Marianna loves Daniel and she would never betray him. She said no.

I could see on the look on the officials face this was not going to be end of it.

Already the next day rumors. Of a demon-touched person in the city. And i could guess where this was going.

It went all pretty fast in a matter of days a few weeks in total. Marianna her name was slandered. Daniel seemed more busy and busy. Marianna didn't get out of the house anymore.

I tried to get her out, but in a span of days she had changed from the radiant happy beauty to a grey scared mouse of a girl.

I couldn't see this going on anymore. To get the story i went to Daniel. He tried to deny any knowledge and claimed again to be just so busy.

Screaming in his face i made clear i did not believe his bullshit, and demanded to know what was going on. The guilt was visible behind his eyes. I asked him more calmly now my initial anger had settled.

He told me the official wished for the hand of Marianna and that he would make her happy and in return he would offer Daniel anything he wanted.

Before i realized what i did i smacked him right across the face. "And you claim you love her, see what he is doing, he is destroying Marianna because she truly loves you. You are not worthy of love. "

With that i left him and went to see Marianna perhaps i could take her away from here. I am sure mom wouldn't mind if i brought a friend home.

Marianna was curled up in a chair staring at an empty fireplace. I made sound so she knew I approached.

"Marianna come with me, i can take you away, away from this, a place which offers you safety. "

She mutterd soft "Daniel will come for me. "

I shake my head and kneel down near her.

"Sweetheart, i just saw Daniel. He knew of this, he wanted that you chose the official, he would have gotten anything he wished for. "

It might have been harsh of me to say it like this, but lets face it she needs to know. Daniel will not help her. The cries that followed were heartbreaking, i cried with her. Holding her hands.

After a while when there were no tears left i gave her a handkerchief and whispered.

"Come with me we leave this place behind."

She shook her head and lifting her eyes up i saw a look of determination and a broken soul. "No i will stay and let it play out, and i will show them that a heart is not broken without concequences."

I kissed her hands i kissed her forehead. I left her.

And now we are here. I look upon Marianna how she proudly she stands. How cool and i see a hint of something else behind her eyes.

The official dares to speak of punishment of justice.

Marianna is to be hanged. The executioner puts the rope around her neck. At that point Marianna laughs. It is a laugh which sounds so disconnected from her. As if it is not herself. Marianna speaks strange words after she claims that this is her revenge.

After the words are spoken people spontaneous combust they just burn up. Screams and thick black smoke spreads.

Buildings start to flame up. Marianna still on the stage, the flames dancing over her body her skin curling and blackening. Still laughing.

I run to help the people. The children the ones who have nothing to do with this.

Running in and out of buildings. For what seems like hours i am helping putting fires out. Alot of people were saved. Among who Daniel. He probably saved himself.

I stand next to him as we see the burned streets without looking at him in a cold voice i speak.

"And now you have to live on, knowing your greed and disregard of love did this. "

With those words I leave. Wondering why people can be so selfish.