Reddit Challenge story #3

The Fall of the Roman Empire

Simeus Finteleus was not a criminal. He had never stolen anything in his life, he never slandered his neighbor, he never struck his wife. Simeus Finteleus had been in prison for the past 25 years. A corrupt Roman official had despised Simeus because his fabric shop competed with that of the official’s brother. Rather than deal with the problem head-on, the official had Simeus framed for a series of malicious crimes. Being that Simeus was a Jew, it was easy for the official to pin a false crime on him without the public inquiring as much into the details- at the time a Jew was generally an equal but still discriminated against. Simeus plead his case in court, but the official had bribed the judges. Simeus’ rabbi, a highly respected member of the Roman community, even tried to step in, but before his appeals could be heard, the official stepped in and stopped it. Simeus had suffered for 25 years, but today he would be free.
The Roman Empire had fallen, the civilization that once ruled the world had collapsed, and along with it, the official who had imprisoned Simeus. In fact, all those imprisoned no longer had anyone to control them. After informing the prisoners of the news, the guards opened the gates and let everyone go. Simeus rushed home to his family. As he ran to his home, Simeus wondered what would have become of them in the years he had not had any contact with him. His infant daughter, his seven year old son, his beautiful wife; what will have happened in 25 years? Simeus wondered if his wife would have taken a new husband, if his daughter had a husband of her own! Simeus grew distressed as he opened the door. As he saw his house revealed before him, he saw his wife, and his two now-adult children sitting by the fire. Surprised they looked up toward Simeus. His wife’s eyes widened, and a smile emerged after years of fear and loneliness, she ran up to embrace him.
“Oh Simeus, I knew you were alive, and I knew you were innocent, we all did! We thought we might never see you again, but the love we shared kept my hope alive.” His wife gushed as she embraced Simeus with the lost love of 25 years. “Thanks Jupiter for the fall of the Roman Empire!”