Out of The Tomb (A Cask of Amontillado continuation)

 After I added the last brick to Fortunato's Inescapable tomb, I turned on my heels and heeded back the way we had come. I could hear the quiet sobs and occasional cough of Fortunato, It seemed as if he had finally accepted his fate. I smiled lightly, finally I was done with him, I would no longer stand the insult of his existence. I brushed my hand on the wall, the nirtre sticking to my hand. I laughed quietly and shook my head, remembering the conversation about Fortunato's sickness only a little while before. The dank tunnels of the catacombs seemed like a fitting resting place for the man I once considered a good friend. No man deserved a proper burial if they committed a sin such as Fortunato had. I could hear my footsteps echoing through the tunnels, and suddenly I felt truly alone. I paused for a moment to grab a bottle of finely aged wine and popped the top off it. I inhaled the sweet aroma and, without giving it time to breath, proceeded to take a sip. I swirled it around my mouth as I made my way back. I relished the flavor as it glided down my throat, and laughed, realizing that Fortunato would never experience the sensational dance of such delicate flavors on his palate again. The thought of Fortunato, who considered himself a sommelier, never tasting even a simple wine again, filled me with glee. "A toast," I say, as I hold up the bottle. "Farwell, my so called friend!" I lower the bottle and take a gulp. Before long the vessel was empty and my limbs feel heavy. I continue down the path back to the entrance, ready to leave to dark tunnels for good. I headed back up through my seemingly empty house. I was tempted to go up to my chambers and retire for the night, due to the effect of the wine I carelessly drank, but decided against it. My absence may become suspicious, and I did not need someone to link me to Fortunato's disappearance. By the time I got back to the party, it was like nothing had ever happened. No one seemed to have noticed my absence. I grab a drink and walk over to a group of people to mingle. Adrenaline rushed through my veins mixing with the feeling of intoxication, and within a short time I was relaxed and enjoying the carnival evening like everyone else. Not long after, I started to hear many of the ladies asking about where Fortunato was. "I'm sure he is around here somewhere, you know Fortunato, he loves his parties. Though it is possible that he has headed home, I heard that he was a tad ill." I reassured them, they had no reason to doubt my sincerity. They smiled and thanked me, and after a while it seemed everyone had all but forgotten Fortunato for the time being, though I was sure that by the marrow, people would realize that he was nowhere to be found. I kept my face impassive as I thought of why I left Fortunato in the catacombs to rot. I gulped down the rest of my wine and headed to the door. I knew a search party would be issued as soon as his disappearance was evident, but I had no reason to worry, no one would suspect me, Fortunato's closest friend. I turned toward the exit, preparing myself to head home. I looked around at all the people laughing and celebrating merrily, before walking away. I got back home shortly after, and the servants were still gone, but I cared not. I went up to my chambers to rest, but as I opened the door I found my wife sitting on our bed staring out the window. Her dark brown hair fell past her shoulders in a cascade of beautiful silky color. The moon light lit up the room through the window softening her beautiful features. "Why are you here Clarice, I thought you would be at the party?" As I said this a mental image of my wife and Fortunato sharing his bed crossed my mind. It was a wonder why such a beautiful woman would care for a man like him. Of course, she had no idea I knew of the treachery she had committed, If she had, she surely would not dare show her face in my home, and certainly not in my chambers. "I decided to come home early, I never find it fun to be amiss a bunch of intoxicated men and women, and since we are on the subject of the party, did you happen to see Fortunato there? I wanted to pay my respects but I could find him nowhere." She asked. Her face seemed to flush as she said this. I frowned, " I'm afraid he was ill and was unable to attend the party for long." I watched her face fall, though she tried to hide it. Anger boiled through my veins. even in his last deathly hours, she still chose him. It seemed as if ending Fortunato's life of lies was not enough to quench my anger at their betrayal. I thought that after I removed Fortunato from the picture, I might be able to forgive my wife, at least to a length, but I was wrong. I could not live a life with a woman who loved another. As I realized this a ghost of a plan formed in my mind, and I did not try to repress it. Many would find me to be insane, but in my heart, I knew that what I was doing needed to be done, I had no choice. If she wanted to be with Fortunato, who was I to stop her? Certainly you can't expect me to stop what is clearly true love? "it is no matter my dear, I'm sure he will be fine. Now come, I have a surprise for you, in the catacombs, I feel that it might cheer you up a bit. A cask of amontillado." I smiled kindly, my face masking my true intentions.