First, there was complete darkness.

Then intense discomfort.

And more than Lucretia had anticipated, warmth.

Howbeit, without warning, the memories came back.

His hungry grimace; ready to violate.

Each finger curled around her throat.

His grip unremittingly surging.

Her body tensed up, powerless to move.

Unable to be in control.

Afraid of what might befall her, Lucretia rose from her frozen stupor. She detected robust arms caging her, hastily hauling her in a linear direction. Her tiny body wouldn't be a challenge for him and she felt like a prisoner, unable to escape her captor's clasp. All possible horrible scenarios were roaming her mind. Where would he take her? What would he do to her?

Ultimately, she peeked an eye open, hoping not to attract his attention. She expected the vile face of her tormentor, but rather surprisingly, she looked up to a familiar profile. She'd recognise these curls anywhere. It was Titus.

A tidal wave of relief swept over her. She was saved.

This time his face lacked the usual composure. Deep gouges on his forehead marked his despondency and Lucretia, unsure of what action to take, observed Titus' growing concern. But like the day before, he detected her observant leer.

"At last!" relieved Titus proclaimed, "It's not every day I find such a divine treasure."

His smile affirmed her trust in him.

They had reached his canopy at the end of the alley and he carefully placed her inside.

Hesitant of the situation, Lucretia asked, "What happened?"

Titus entered the carrying chair and promptly shut the curtain. Lulled in the rufescent den of satin, the altercation from earlier seemed fictitious. His calmness pacified the space and the sphere he created around them seemed like their clandestine sanctuary. Lucretia felt guilty easing into the comfort of the pillow. She shouldn't let her guard slip.

"Lucretia, how are you feeling?" he suavified.

It didn't slip her attention he avoided her questions, "Alright, I believe. Where are you taking me?"

"Home. You live close by," he announced.

He gave the sedan bearers a sign to commence and after a bumpy jerk, the chair departed.

For several minutes, they sat in silence. Titus observed the hubbub on the street, not minding Lucretia who fidgeted with her torn palla (shawl). She wondered if he had noticed her disarranged appearance but was too polite to comment on it. How much had he witnessed? Did he see her attacker or had he already disappeared before Titus found her?

"Where is he?" she blurted out.

Her sudden outburst took Titus by surprise, but he didn't let her notice. Instead, his stare lingered on outside, "What do you mean?"

Falteringly, she repeated the question.

He weighed his options before he responded, "Gaius?"

"You know him?" she was baffled by this correlation.

"You don't have to worry about my brother anymore," Titus stated in a desultory way.

Gaius and Titus were brothers? The preceding peacefulness had lulled her into a false sense of security. She felt ambushed. Not only must he had observed Gaius with Lucretia, but Titus decided to defang her ordeal.

"Your brother? You couldn't possibly be related!" she scorned, "Halt! I am getting out!"

Hence, Titus seized her hand to assuage her growing agitation.

Normally, Lucretia would withdraw from this private gesture but Titus had a stern grip on her. His gaze lingered on this intimate embrace as though he could exorcise her doubt. Tentatively, he glanced up to her.

"Please accept my apology for his behaviour. This all must have been a terrible misunderstanding." he solemnly vouched.

Lucretia pulled away, "He should apologize, not you."

"I'm sure, Gaius--," Titus countered.

"This doesn't excuse what he did to me or what he is doing to others." Lucretia snapped back. Exasperated, she whipped her head towards the drape, away from Titus. She couldn't understand the sentiments he expressed for Gaius. Was he aware of his brother's heinous misdeeds? How could Titus defend an evildoer?

"Aren't you glad I was the one you woke up to? I know you were relieved," he cheekily mentioned, "Imagine, you alone with him. How would you have reacted if it was him instead of me? "

Without so much as looking at him, she didn't reply. All she wanted now was to return home as soon as possible and forget the past days. The underlying tension had surfaced and the agonising feeling of helplessness suffocated her. Lucretia didn't dare to test his or her restraint. His confidence irritated her. Nonetheless, he had a point. Even if she left, there was still the possibility of Gaius lurking. Lucretia favoured the presence of Titus. Anyone was better than Gaius.

For a while, both remained silent until Titus abruptly said, "Lucretia, I didn't mean to ridicule you. You are right. My brother should apologize to you, but not now. It is the best, for you and him."

She glanced back at him but wasn't willing to give him the satisfaction of an answer. He had leaned back and watched outside, absorbed in thought. His cocky demeanour had vanished, instead, a brooding expression clouded his face and Lucretia wondered if he had benevolent intentions, after all. Hopefully, they would arrive soon.

Suddenly, he looked back at her, "I have to tell you something."

Lucretia, surprised by the genuineness of his words, held his gaze. A timid grin lit up his face.

"When I was younger, Gaius and I had a terrible tutor," he started mimicking the voice of the teacher with a twang, "He dragged every word through his nose and pronounced each syllable with poignancy." Lucretia suppressed a smile to conceal her amusement.

"Laugh all you want, but you would have hated him, too. One day, his dragging was so atrocious I was incapable of conjugating verbs," he lamented, "So, during our leisure time, the tutor called it 'reflective hour', I decided to abandon his confinement and reflect in Suburra (name of city district)."

"Certainly the best place to spend your free time," she sarcastically commented. Yet, Titus had stirred up her curiosity. Many times she had sneaked to this flagitious area to help waifs until her mother put an end to it. In her opinion, only lowlifes loomed here; beggars, prostitutes, gamblers, cads, pickpockets and the worst: actors.

Titus grin transformed into a deep laugh, "Something tells me you have been a visitor yourself. However, you are not wrong. You can't trust anyone in Rome, particularly Suburra. Still, it is far more amusing than learning. I would listen to dramatic poetry, debates or find other pleasures. Eventually, my father got wind of the misdeeds of his sons and forbad us from ever stepping foot in this part of town. Knowing our father's hate for Suburra, Gaius stopped accompanying me. He pleaded with me to remain home and attend our studies. He was adamant and in his desperation, he even threatened to tell on me. And what did I do, I still went. I didn't care. In my opinion, at that time, Gaius was a coward. I continued going, now even more. Ironically, this was my downfall."

He paused for a moment.

"Is this what you want to tell me?" she queried.

"No," he took his time before he resumed, "Long story, short. I was entangled in a fight during one of my visits to Suburra. Yet, I cannot recall the background of the disagreement. All I remembered was a fist darting in my direction and waking up with a terrible headache and a missing purse. I tried to hide my involvement in the fight but try concealing a black eye. Gaius instantly understood where I received my shiner. I remember his initial hate for my actions. I think deep down, he was glad I learned a lesson. Seeing my blemish was good enough for him. Eventually, my father finally spotted my visage and called me for questioning."

"I could never imagine myself in a similar position," she commented.

"No, you have a conscience," he snickered and eyed her for a bit too long, "I was convinced of my superiority to figure a way out, while stammering and mumbling my way through my account. Suddenly, Gaius intervened and I was ready for him to give me up. He didn't even look at me when he stepped in front and proclaimed,"

With pathos, Titus theatrically announced," 'The bastard does not know how to conjugated properly. I taught him a good lesson.' Of course, I was positively surprised. Gaius didn't give me up, instead, he took the blame for my black eye. I didn't know why he lied for me, especially after getting a heavy beating for the deception."

"Surprisingly odd, he acts differently now. What led to this change of character?" Lucretia asked.

"Only the gods know," Titus enthusiasm plunged, "Gaius understood the grief of losing a parent and instantly took me under his wings. Even though he will never admit his compassion, he'd always make sure I was cared for, kept me out of trouble. I needed it, believe it or not, I was a rapscallion in comparison to him."

Titus' account reminded Lucretia of her protective brother Flaccus although, she wasn't willing to draw comparisons to Titus' brother.

"All I am trying to say is, Gaius has difficulties showing his affection. Be lenient with him. He usually has your best interest in mind." Titus said.

"I will never give him the pleasure of my forgiveness. Luckily there will never be an instance of us meeting again." she brusquely voiced her doubt.

"Oh, there will be plenty of occasions," he chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Lucretia was baffled.

As if she didn't understand the quip, Titus peddled back, " You don't know? Never mind."

She had no chance to demand an elaboration, the litter had come to a stop.

Titus exited quickly and offered his hand to dismount. Instead of using his aid, she jumped on the pavement and proceeded to the front gate of her family's residence. Their compound bordered on the plush neighbourhood of Rome's nobility. And even despite the deteriorating brickwork caused by chronic neglect, there was an increasing demand for this area.

She had climbed the incline to the property and was prepared to leave Titus flat after this vexatious ride.

But before she unbolted the gate, Titus called from behind, "This is how you say farewell to a friend?"

"Who said we were friends?" she asked keck.

After some wavering, he suggested, "It's not a lot, but..." he wrangled with himself, "I will make a promise to you. No matter where I am or what I'm doing, Gaius won't hurt you ever again."

"How can you be sure that won't happen?" she tested him.

"All I can give you is my word," he offered his hand as a promise, "I will talk to him. Quod nocet, saepe docet (What harms, often teaches). He is my brother after all."

Lucretia took her time to think about his pledge. She barely knew Titus not to mention his brother. Titus would have his family interest in mind and would try to protect his brother.

"Do you trust me?" he asked. What did she have to lose? She shook his hand.

"I know we will be best of friends. I can't wait to see you soon!" he proclaimed. She had decided to trust him for the time being. It was better to at least have somebody to detain Gaius.

"I will see you!", she said.

"Again, my deepest apologies. Please find the courage in your heart to find forgiveness for my brother. Forget the incident, give him another chance. I promise you won't regret it."

And with that, he left and rode off.