Consciousness crept up on me and all at once obliterated my sleep. Harsh light pierced mangled blinds that covered the window, shedding bars of golden sympathy across the ceiling. My glance flitted about the room I so casually adorned, painting the walls a butcher’s red. Several others, friends one and all, joined me in this scattered scene. They lie strewn down the hall in similar disharmony, empty weapons and spent shells lay uselessly by their sides. It seems we’d spent the night.

The hole in my side gasped and gaped but it just wanted attention that I wasn’t ready to give. My hands groped around for some assistance in standing up, a task that had suddenly become a chore. No sense being a fool about it; if you’re going to do something, do it well. I leaned forward to shift weight onto my legs and managed to stand upright. It didn’t much seem like anyone else was stirring or would be for some time. What a pity, all this wasted life, and all to bring down one man. Sometimes I have my doubts, and sometimes I just don’t care. This was one of the second sometimes.

I’d told them this wouldn’t work. I knew this job was a bad idea from the get-go. But despite my protests, despite my every measure, the rules are the rules. Once you’re in the brotherhood, you’re in for life. Before me is a senseless waste of life, but I told them I was leaving. The brotherhood wouldn’t listen. Now I’m the brotherhood.