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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 6, 2011 2:14:09 GMT -5
"Yeah... a couple of times..." Zane said vaguely, rubbing his head again.
It was so hard for him to remember. In fact, most of the times he had gone off, he didn't remember anything about it except being told about it after the fact. He couldn't remember what set him off, what he said or did... he couldn't even remember doing it at all. And it wasn't even the effect of being in Azkaban that did it to him... he hadn't remembered these things at the time, either.
"I do remember one time... this guy made a rude remark to Faith and I hit him... we had a fight and got thrown out of the Leaky Cauldron. The guy ended up in St. Mungo's... but I honestly don't remember his name."
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Post by Roman Lennox on Dec 13, 2011 11:39:24 GMT -5
Roman was aware of Zane's violent tendencies. "Well, looks like you may have made a few enemies Mr. Manning," he said with a raising eyebrow. "Did these outbursts happen quite often, I mean maybe more times than you really remember?" From the way things were going, this might actually be a little easier than he expected. Zane was working pretty well with him. He thought that there might be been a lot of resistance, but luckily Zane was willing to cooperate.
"I can look into the people in which you may have made your enemies. I'm pretty good with finding information. I can see if they would have anyone that might come after you to get even." He paused for a moment. "One important question Mr. Manning, have you ever killed anyone before this whole incident?"
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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 14, 2011 0:34:34 GMT -5
Zane frowned and began to rub his head some more. It was all getting fuzzy again... the past and present seemed to be merging with the nightmarish dreams he sometimes had.
He didn't think he had ever killed anyone before... Even though he didn't remember the "outbursts" except for what he was told afterwards, he was pretty sure he hadn't killed anyone. Black eyes, broken arms, maybe a broken rib or two. But no. No, he hadn't killed anyone... except...
A hazy vision floated before his eyes. He'd had visions like this, in his dreams. They were only nightmares, surely, induced by the dementors. And yet they felt familiar. The nightmares always felt real, like memories he'd suppressed. And he couldn't remember anything before age 17... anything could have happened.
"No!" he yelled. It couldn't be real. He didn't want it to be real. He forgot where he was, about Roman and the visitin room and the chocolate, trying to fight back the terrible images. He wasn't sure what was real anymore and what was all in his head, and he began to bang his head on the table, as if trying to smash the confusing thoughts and memories from his brain.
"No... no.... Never... I don't know. Maybe. I can't remember. Don't make me remember...."
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Post by Roman Lennox on Dec 14, 2011 10:52:26 GMT -5
Roman watched with interest as Zane was apparently remembering something. He fought a smirk that wanted to appear on his face.
"Alright, alright, calm down lad," he said in a softer voice. "I won't ask that of you again. We'll just go from what we have, alright?" Roman knew Zane remembered something, but he wasn't going to push it. After all, if he pushed too hard then it might be hopeless trying to get Zane out of Azkaban. Roman had never failed on his tasks and he was not about to start now.
"I will present more information to the people in the Ministry. I'll dig around and see if there is any evidence that might have been missed. Then we'll figure out your case to the Ministry and get you out of here. Sound like a plan?"
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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 15, 2011 0:20:51 GMT -5
Zane heard the man's voice as if it were coming from the other end of a tunnel. It pulled him back in, grounded him back in the moment, and he looked up at Roman, wild-eyed and desperate for a moment, as his hands fumbled for the chocolate. Finding it, he broke off a piece and stuffed it into his mouth, allowing the warmth to spread back into his body. His eyes cleared, and he nodded slowly.
"Yes... yes, thank you.," he said at last. "I... I don't know why you're doing this, but I appreciate it. I need to get out of here..."
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Post by Roman Lennox on Dec 21, 2011 21:41:34 GMT -5
"Let's just say I believe in helping the innocent," Roman said casually. "And you Mr. Manning are innocent." So far things were going far better than Roman really thought that they would. Maybe it was the desperation that caused Zane to work so well with him to get out of there.
"That's understandable Mr. Manning. That is one reason I plan to get you out of here as soon as possible. Azkaban is not the place for the innocent. We'll have you out of here pretty soon, you can count on that. Those fools who threw you in here didn't look closely enough at your case. It's sort of my job to right those wrongs, in a way."
Roman paused for a moment and observed Zane. "I appreciate your cooperation Mr. Manning. You've been making my job a bit easier."
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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 22, 2011 1:00:34 GMT -5
Zane was still a little doubtful that he was innocent, but he wanted to believe it. Anything to get out of this place. If he stayed here much longer, there would be nothing left of him. Eventually, he would become like the long-term inmates... the ones who never left their cells, even during their one-hour recess. They were too far gone now; they could barely move or speak. They only huddled in the back of their cells, mumbling and drooling. Eventually, they would just waste away to nothing. Zane didn't have much pride or sanity left, but he had enough to know that he didn't want to end up like that. Not if there was a chance if getting out.
"N... No... I appreciate your help, Mr.... uh.... I'm sorry, I forgot your name." He rubbed his head frustratedly and squinted over at the man. "I'm sorry. My brain's like Swiss Cheese. Or... that's the kind with the holes in it, right? I don't even remember that anymore..."
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Post by Roman Lennox on Dec 22, 2011 21:49:35 GMT -5
"Roman, Roman Lennox," he said reminding Zane of his name. "And yes, it is Swiss Cheese. The sooner we have you innocent, the quicker we can fill the holes in your memory. I'm pretty sure I know the best place to go for that one once we get you out of here. I'll come back and give you the updates on when everything is."
Roman knew who he was going to go talk to in the Ministry to get Zane's freedom. Of course if the judge didn't really agree with Roman, he was pretty sure he could convince him.
"The chocolate will help a little bit. Those dementors are nasty buggers. However, you will not have to deal with them much longer. I will promise you that."
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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 22, 2011 23:32:57 GMT -5
Zane didn't know what he had done to deserve this man's help. It was like a gift from above. Maybe Faith had something to do with it. He had never really believed in heaven or an afterlife, but it comforted him to think that somewhere, beyond the veil, Faith and Billy were together and watching over him.
Whatever it was that brought this man to him, Zane was beyond grateful. The idea of getting out of here had long since become a hopeless dream... and now there was hope again. It was enough to bring a little spring back into his step again.
"Thank you again, Mr. Lennox," he said, reaching out to shake the man's hand. "For everything. I really appreciate it."
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Post by Roman Lennox on Dec 24, 2011 9:14:30 GMT -5
Roman reached out his hand and shook Zane's. "It's no problem." He gave him a half smile. "Besides, it's my job to make sure that innocents get out." Well, today had gone a lot easier than Roman first thought it would have. So far, he would be able to report good news to Walter. Once Zane was out of Azkaban, he would have to find some way to go see Walter. Roman was pretty sure he could convince Zane to do so if he could agree with him already.
"I will be back in touch with you soon, just to see how you are and give you a break from the dementors. Have a good day Mr. Manning."
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Post by Zane Manning on Dec 26, 2011 1:02:20 GMT -5
Zane wished he could come up with a reason to keep this man here a little longer... more details, more questions... anything. Anything so he didn't have to go back into his cell. But the sooner Mr. Lennox left, the sooner he could start working on the case, and, hopefully, the sooner Zane could be out of here for good.
Zane didn't even know what he would do if he got out of Azkaban. He didn't think he had much of a future, much of a reason to survive... but staying in here was a slow, torturous death. No one deserved that.
"Thank you again, sir," he said. "But I think the best part of my day is over now that you're leaving." He actually managed to crack a smile here, realizing he'd actually just made a joke. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd found something funny.
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Post by Roman Lennox on Jan 15, 2012 16:05:39 GMT -5
Roman cracked a smile. "Sorry I couldn't stay longer. Being in this place will drive you mad, which is why I will work as fast as possible to get you out of here." He reached his hand out again for Zane to shake.
"Don't worry though, I'll be back as soon as I gather more information. We'll discuss the options once I talk to a few people." So far so good. Roman thought that he might possibly have his work cut out for him on this one, but he was also willing to play hard when he had to.
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Post by Zane Manning on Jan 17, 2012 0:48:09 GMT -5
Zane was feeling a bit more confident now, and he only hesitated a second before he took the man's hand in a relatively firm grip. He still didn't know what he'd done to deserve it, but Roman's visit was like something out of a dream. One that he'd never really dared to dream. For a few moments, he remembered who he was and what he used to be like. he used to be strong, he used to be confident, he used to be happy. He used to have hope... and now he had it again, thanks to this Mr. Lennox.
"Thank you," was all he could say. It seemed inadequate, even pathetic. If this man was successful, Zane would have a life again. Maybe nothing could bring Faith and Billy back... but at least he'd be able to remember them again.
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