Sleep was indeed a wishful thing for Brutus. Despite his urgings, Porcia did not want to leave Pompey’s room. There was a peculiar devotion she held for him, he suspected it was inspired by guilt. Brutus almost felt jealous for the comatose man. After great effort, he persuaded Porcia to eat though she sparingly touched the food in front of her when sitting at the small table in her quarters.

“Porcia, you need to eat.” He urged. She glared at him, and looked into his eyes for a moment. Lowering her eyes to the plate, she looked at the assorted fruits, breads, and oils. Her eyes than wandered to the dawning day; had she been awake all night?

To appease Brutus she ate a small amount of the food though it seemed to fall into her stomach and settle like a dead weight. Brutus seemed happier at this and Porcia attempted to smile, but then she thought of her deceased father and felt that brief joy quake into a million sorrows.

Brutus had discerned the mask slipping and suggested quickly,

“Why don’t you sleep? Perhaps you would feel better with rest?” Porcia shook her head and leaned it against the palm of her hand. Brutus thought he saw her wipe away some tears. His heart was moved so dramatically that he nearly stood. She looked up at him, and while her body shook, she asked him,

“Is it so ugly to see this grief that you insist upon staring?” Brutus looked at her, and then rushed to Porcia’s side.

“No,” He said simply, “You need rest.” Through her watery eyes, Porcia looked up at Brutus and leaned against him. He could feel the trembling of her shoulders against his chest. She spoke no coherent words, they were mere mumblings but the grief was apparent.

Brutus soothed her; Porcia finally appeared to be breaking down. She let out all the stresses and sorrows that had plagued her. Before falling into a deep sleep, Porcia asked to be in Pompey’s room. Brutus, though perturbed, did as she asked.

The days passed by without notice as Porcia slept, though not peacefully.


Brutus was beginning to feel drowsy several days later; he would not stop watching Porcia. There was still the threat of her self homicide . But as the hours wore on, sleep was a more persistent visitor. He looked at Porcia for one last time before shutting his eyes.

Not much later, she awoke to find Brutus sleeping as well. Porcia stood tentatively and walked over to Brutus. She looked at him and thought,

‘ Father never wanted me to marry him. He always wanted me to be with someone who I knew I didn’t love so no one could compete with him.’ Porcia kissed Brutus’ forehead and silently thanked him for all his efforts to care for her.

She then walked to Magnus. She saw the steady fall and rise of his chest. He was stuck in some dream. She felt more guilt than before.

Her mind played out the scene. She stood near the window. Using a small chair in the room, Porcia climbed up onto the window sill. Looking down, Porcia knew that this was the only way for her guilt, pain and misfortune to disappear. Inwardly she said sorry to Brutus again and asked forgiveness from the 'Great' Pompeius and from her father, who she hoped to see soon.

She took one last deep breathe and started to tip over the side...