The Finisher (Vega Jane #1)

by David Baldacci

Some may say this is unfair. But times have changed in Wormwood. The Outliers surround us. They do not care who is male and who is female. They will attack us all. Thus the able-bodied and younger females among us must be prepared to fight. And the way to do that is to train to fight. To learn how to defend themselves. That is why a fortnight has been given for all eligible females to learn these skills.

Oh so they are gonna get training but only a fortnight… great…

I gazed up in disbelief at her. Time to learn these skills? In a fortnight? Was she serious? When females were already killing themselves building the Wall? The males wouldn’t have to waste time training, just the poor females. They couldn’t suddenly put on ninety pounds of muscle. They couldn’t very well turn into a male. Not that they would ever want to.

For real

Cletus Loon looked me up and down, a murderous expression on his face. “It’s a good thing you’re too young to fight. I might draw you in the first round,” he said. “It is a good thing I’m too young to fight,” I replied. “A good thing for you. Now get out of my way, you git.”

NEVER BACK DOWN NEVER WHAT???

“And these Wugs have been working hard all light. You’ll be even more behind schedule if Wugs start getting sick or injured from being overworked.” “It is not your place to give orders,” he said, gazing stonily at me. “Maybe it isn’t. But I’m the only family you have left.” He gave me a condescending look. “Have you forgotten the Care?” I knew I shouldn’t do it, but at this point I was no longer concerned about John’s feelings. Besides, I wasn’t sure he had any left. And I was destined to either get my brains bashed in fighting in the Duelum or die in Valhall. “As I said, I’m the only family you have. There is no one you know left at the Care. I thought Morrigone would have told you by now. Our parents both suffered Events. There is of course nothing left of them.” With that I turned on my heel and marched away. I didn’t care, I just really didn’t. But, as it turned out, I should have. For a lot of reasons.

⢀⣠⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠀⣠⣤⣶⣶ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⢰⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⣀⣀⣾⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡏⠉⠛⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠀⠀⠀⠈⠛⢿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠿⠛⠉⠁⠀⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠙⠿⠿⠿⠻⠿⠿⠟⠿⠛⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣸⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣷⣄⠀⡀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢀⣴⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠏⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠠⣴⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡟⠀⠀⢰⣹⡆⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⣭⣷⠀⠀⠀⠸⣿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠃⠀⠀⠈⠉⠀⠀⠤⠄⠀⠀⠀⠉⠁⠀⠀⠀⠀⢿⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⢾⣿⣷⠀⠀⠀⠀⡠⠤⢄⠀⠀⠀⠠⣿⣿⣷⠀⢸⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⡀⠉⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢄⠀⢀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠉⠉⠁⠀⠀⣿⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣧⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠈⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢹⣿⣿ ⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⣿⠃⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⢸⣿⣿

I didn’t mind lying occasionally, particularly when it helped me survive. To go back on my word, though, that was something my grandfather never would have done. And neither would I. It would be a taint on the Jane name.

Didn't you go back on your word to Morrigone to not tell John about your parents though?

Every time I had gone in there, I had come away with something of value. Could I try my luck once more?

How about no?? Like girl

Delph raced to his father’s right side while I knelt on the other. We at once realized that Duf’s lower legs were smashed nearly flat at the knees. He was delirious with the pain and writhing wildly even as two Mendens worked feverishly over him with their instruments, bandages and salves.

GOD DAMN

“What happened?” I asked. Thaddeus Kitchen was standing behind me. He pointed to the Wall. “Section of timbers fell, caught him at the knees. Blood and bone, ’twas everywhere. Never seen nothing like it. Mawky it was. Why, ’twas like the most disgustin’ bitta —” “All right, we get the idea,” I said, my worried gaze on Delph.

Bro shut the fuck up

Everything had been planned out so carefully in the specifications. And I had carried out those details as meticulously as I had ever done on a job at Stacks, for the simple reason that I well knew how much weight the straps would be supporting. As I squatted down for a closer look, my jaw eased lower. Two holes had been added at the bottom of the strap, and then these additional holes had been widened considerably. By about four inches was my rough judgment. The tear had come right in the middle of one of the extra holes. It was crystal clear to me that by adding holes and making them bigger, someone had considerably weakened the strap.

Who the fuck did that?

“Whoever changed the strap design is responsible for what happened to Duf.” My pointed finger hovered near her perfect chin. “The pillocks should be in Valhall.” She glanced to her left and said, “I am surprised that you of all Wugs would advocate for him to be sent there.” I followed her gaze, and my eyes alighted on my brother standing on a raised platform and working away on a tilt-top desk, massive plans on scrolls laid in front of him. For the second time in a very few slivers, my jaw dropped. “John changed the design on the straps?” I managed to say, my confidence and, with it, my voice having nearly vanished.

Bro john needs a spanking fuck this brat

“How is he?” I asked in a bare whisper. “Me-Me-Mendens just in. Say they got to co-co-come off.” “What? His legs?” Delph nodded, his features an oblivion of misery. “Say ’tis th-th-that or he’s next for the Ha-Ha-Hallowed Ground. Don’t underst-st-stand it all, Ve-Ve-Vega Jane. But that wh-wh-what they say.”

Welp Vega time to finish some peg legs for good old Duf

HALL OF TRUTH. I didn’t care about the truth right now. All I wanted was the Adder Stone. I hurried into the room, stood in the middle, and looked goggle-eyed around the vast space. There wasn’t a single book because there wasn’t a single bookcase on which to put them. In their place was a series of floor-to-ceiling looking glasses hung on the walls. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I looked at the frames on the looking glasses, all ornately carved with twisty, slithering creatures. They seemed familiar to me.

Alrighty i guess this is what we're doing now

It was not one but a pack of freks, huge wolflike beasts with long snouts and longer fangs. They were fierce creatures. I had seen one slain by a morta after it had attacked a male Wug near the boundary of the Quag. Not only were the fangs sharp, apparently their bite drove one mad. The bitten Wug had thrown himself out a window at hospital four nights later and died.

Frek (can we just have nice fuzzy creature that attacks you with cuddles or something?

There it was, in the glass, barely inches from my hand. The Adder Stone! The dazzling white rock was simply resting on the marble floor. I whirled around again because I thought what I was seeing was a real reflection of it in this room and the Stone was just behind me on the floor. But there was nothing there. I turned back. I suspected some sort of trap because Stacks had been none too kind to me in that regard.

Oh so now its fucking with us

A vague silhouette a shade lighter than the darkness around it emerged into my line of sight. As it drew closer and I could see it better, I gasped in shock. It was a very young, only it wasn’t a Wug, or at least none I had seen before. It was dressed only in a cloth diaper. It had a few hairs on its head, and its skin was as pearl white as the Adder Stone in my pocket. Its features were as angelic as any I’d ever seen. But I was still on my guard, for sweetness could quickly transform to wickedness. The image of Morrigone appeared in my mind. It closed to within a yard of me and then stopped. It looked up at me and I looked down at it. I felt my heart go out to the tiny creature because its mouth drooped and its eyes narrowed and tears dribbled out from them. Then it gave a little bit of a cry and then something truly remarkable took place.

OH GOD NO... ITS A BABY!!!

A vague silhouette a shade lighter than the darkness around it emerged into my line of sight. As it drew closer and I could see it better, I gasped in shock. It was a very young, only it wasn’t a Wug, or at least none I had seen before. It was dressed only in a cloth diaper. It had a few hairs on its head, and its skin was as pearl white as the Adder Stone in my pocket. Its features were as angelic as any I’d ever seen. But I was still on my guard, for sweetness could quickly transform to wickedness. The image of Morrigone appeared in my mind. It closed to within a yard of me and then stopped. It looked up at me and I looked down at it. I felt my heart go out to the tiny creature because its mouth drooped and its eyes narrowed and tears dribbled out from them. Then it gave a little bit of a cry and then something truly remarkable took place.

Ughh a crying baby..

John looked up at me, his tears now stopped. “Vega?” I nodded. “It’ll be okay. I’ll get you out of here.” I could only think that Morrigone had somehow imprisoned John here to get back at me. As I turned to look around for a way out, I let go of his hand. Or at least I tried to. I looked down at my hand and what I saw made me more than slightly sick. His fingers were now part of my fingers. They had somehow grown together. I jerked my arm back, but all that did was lift John off the floor. His other arm reached out and gripped my shoulder.

Now did you think this weird baby mirror john was your actual brother...? Whatever comes next its your fault

Instantly, I felt a weird, invasive sensation. I looked down and his hand and arm were now growing into my shoulder, right through my cloak. And when next I looked at his face, John was no longer there. What was there was the most odious, foul creature I had ever seen. It was like a moldering skeleton with bits of skin dangling in odd spots. And there were no eyes in the sockets, only ripples of black flame. With each dark flicker I felt pain course through my body. Its teeth were black and grinned at me like some savage demon that had just triumphed over its prey.

I TAKE IT BACK VEGA GET THE FUCK OUTTA THERE

The thing was on my head now. I could feel fingers like tentacles encircling my skull. And if I thought this was the worst it could possibly get, I was about to be proved wrong. In my mind grew darkness so profound, so overwhelming, that I felt paralyzed. I thought I had been struck blind and moaned in anguish. And then something vanquished the darkness. What I saw next made me wish the darkness would return. It was every nightmare I had ever had times a factor of a thousand. From my earliest memories to seemingly the last sliver of my life, every painful fragment of memory I had ever experienced exploded onto my consciousness with the force of a million colossals crashing on top of me.

What the hell is this thing

I heard a gurgle, the first sound the creature had made since it stopped crying. The next thing I saw struck me first with horror and then with relief as the chain grew lax. The thing’s head hit the floor in front of me, bounced once and then lay still. Slowly, an inch and a sliver at a time, I felt the grip of the thing begin to ease and then fall away. In three excruciatingly long slivers, it was gone. My mind cleared. I rose on wobbly legs. I didn’t want to because I thought it might have turned back into John, but I finally had to stare down at the evil thing that had very nearly killed me. It was turning black and was shriveling up before my eyes.

Bro FUCK that thing

Duf lay on the table, a sheet covering the top of him. As I looked down below, my stomach gave a lurch. There was nothing there. His legs below the knees were gone. Duf was covered in sweat and unconscious, something for which I was dearly grateful.

Bro

I knew what the creature was, because it, like the cobble, had been in Quentin Herms’s book. I hadn’t recognized it before it struck because it was impossible to recognize. It could assume any shape it wanted. I knew what it was because of what it had done to me. It was a maniack, an evil spirit that attached to your body and then your mind and drove you irreversibly insane with every fear you’ve ever had. And yet as I stood there, my mind cleared and my body stopped hurting so much, though my broken nose ached like blazes. I hadn’t even thought to pull the Adder Stone to heal myself. And I didn’t take the time to do it now.

Maniack (this is the worst creature so far)

I stepped up to it: the looking glass that hung on the wall above the chimneypiece. I had seen it when John and I had first supped here, back when I thought Morrigone was a good, decent Wug. Before she had stolen my brother from me and made him into something that he was never meant to be. My gaze drifted to the ornately carved wooden frame. It was the exact same design as the looking glasses back at Stacks. As I peered closer, I could clearly see the carved frame was made up of a series of interlocked serpents that formed one continuous, foul beast.

Nah fuck Morrigone

As a parting shot, I ripped from the wall the silver candleholders I had made and took them with me. When I was high up in the air, flying on a seam of wind, I flung them as far away as I could manage.

I love her pettiness

Krone wore his black tunic like it was a halo of gold. When he spoke his tone was one of derision. “Do you like to lose your coin?” he said. “You can’t have that much.” “Excuse me?” I said in an indifferent voice. “You wagered on yourself. My esteemed colleague barely lost to Delph in the last Duelum. You won’t stand a chance. Why not just surrender and we can take you away to Valhall where you belong.” He made a show of handing Litches McGee twenty-five coins wagering on his “esteemed colleague” to beat my brains out. “Why don’t you simply give me the coins now,” I said. “It’ll save McGee the trouble of handing them over to me when I’m finished with your precious little Wug.” Before he could respond I turned on my heel and stalked away to the pitch.

Krone is also so annoying

I turned back to Dodgson. He had seen this exchange and his face was full of fury. He flexed his muscles. “No mercy for you, female. None!” “I don’t remember asking for any,” I said in a deadly calm voice.

MY FUCKING GIRL FUCK HIM UP

Because, as I continued to stare over at Dodgson, I could see something I had yet to see in one of my male opponents. I saw fear. The bell rang, our bout began and I charged straight at Dodgson. As Delph had said, he liked to hang back and he did keep his hands too low. I leapt and wrapped my legs around his torso and arms, locking my ankles together as I had done with Cletus in my first bout. By being forced to carry my weight too, he was thrown off balance just enough that when I twisted my body to the right, he toppled over. I squeezed my legs tighter, trapping his arms by his side. I gripped his neck and pinched the throbbing pipes of blood that ran up to his head. He struggled to break my leg lock, but I was a lot stronger than I looked and my legs were far stronger than my arms.

AHHHHHHHHHAHHAHAHAHAHA

As the blood going to his head was constricted by my grip, his eyes fluttered once, twice, he stopped struggling and his arrogant eyes closed. I released my grip and stood. Dodgson remained where he was, senseless. The book I had nicked from hospital had explained this little medical fact and I had employed it to full measure. Dodgson would rise shortly and be no worse off for it, except for his wounded pride and a splitting headache. The referee checked Dodgson’s status and then raised my hand in victory.

YOU BEAUTIFUL, BRILLIANT BABY!!!

Of course, I was female, which was the great antidote to all reason. How could a female beat a male not once, not twice, but thrice? It was not possible. I read those thoughts in Racksport’s beady, disturbed eyes. But like when I had first confronted Dodgson in the quad, I stared dead at Ted Racksport. Then I rubbed a bit of blood off my face and pointed my reddened finger at him until he gave a nervous, hollow laugh and turned away.

I.... Love you Vega Jane. Thank you David Baldacci for this badass woman

“John sacked you? I thought he was the one who made the design change?” “He bloody well did. But what matter is it to mister (hiccup) high-and-mighty Wug that he is? And I got me a family to su-suppo … take care of, now don’t I?” “I’m sorry,” I said, though I really wasn’t. “But Duf Delphia lost his legs. You can always get another job.”

I mean you guys literally crippled a man

Kitchen drew closer and leaned into my face, so I could smell the flame water full-on. “He sacked us, female, ’cause we took you at your word and didn’t punch no more holes in them fancy bloody straps-a yours. When he found out, that’s when he sacked us. He didn’t care a thing for poor D-Du-whatsis. Now, in my book, that’s a git.” He hiccupped again. I said nothing to this because I could think of nothing to say.

Bro... What the fuck john.

’Tain’t right for no Wugs to have unfair advantage in a Duelum.” “I completely agree,” I said. “So the next Wug who outweighs me by more than a hundred pounds with arms bigger than my legs can just stand on his hands while I hit away.” “You’re missing my point, female.” “Then try explaining it in a way that an intelligent Wug can understand.”

bro how are you gonna say she has an unfair advantage when she only had a FORTNIGHT to train. Shes just fucking smarter than you dumbass

The fact that I had beaten all of my opponents without the aid of my special weapons made my face flame with indignation. “I’d say the likelihood is one hundred percent, since it happened.” I turned to Non. “And next time you walk into a quad for a Duelum, you might want to remember how I used your own stupid breastplate against you. I didn’t have to employ tricks to beat you, you creta’s arse, when I used your own heavy metal to tire you first and then knock you senseless. All I needed was your being an idiot.”

TELL. THEM. VEGA.

“If I can’t believe in myself, who can?”

Fuckin preach

Delph replied, “Okay I guess. Timbertoes coming next light.” I nodded at this. With timbertoes, Duf would be able to hobble about, but that would be all. No more beast training for him. Sometimes, no matter how good he was, a trainer had to run for his life. And you couldn’t do that on timbers.

OMFG HE IS GETTING PEG LEGS

“The Quag?” I said in a low voice. “After the Duelum?” I could see the range of emotions flitter across Delph’s face. He looked from me to his father. From me again and then back to his father. And his gaze symbolically held there. He lowered his head. “S-sorry, Vega Jane.” I turned away as I felt the tears climb to my eyes. I patted him on the back and said, “I understand, Delph. It’s the right choice. It’s … family.” I wish I had some left.

Dude no, you're all she has

He held up a sheet of parchment from the piles on his desk. “I know you did. The report came a sliver after you so quickly subdued Mr. Dodgson. That is quite an achievement. He’s strong and has good technique. But if he has a weakness —” “He’s too conceited to admit he has weaknesses on which he should improve.” Thansius nodded thoughtfully. “Precisely.” “Well, maybe it’s harder for near-perfect Wugs to acknowledge they have problems. Me, I have so many shortcomings, I try to work on them all the time.” Thansius smiled. “I think that would be a good lesson for us all, perfect or not.” “I bet on myself to win,” I said, rattling the coins in my pocket. “The laws of Council forbid my wagering on any Duelum. However, if I were to have a flutter, I would have fluttered on you, Vega.”

I do like Thansius and im realllyyyy hoping hes gonna be Vegas ally

He added, “One more victory and you battle for the right to be champion.” “And a thousand coins,” I added. He waved his hand dismissively. “What does coin really have to do with it? I fought in many Duelums and never was coin part of the prize. I think —” Here he broke off and I think I know why. His gaze was taking in how thin I was. How dirty my cloak was. How old my brogans were. And how filthy was my skin. He looked down for a moment. “As I was saying, I think that a prize of coins is a good thing, actually. It can help Wugs … and their families.”

Nice backtracking

“Duf Delphia?” He nodded. “I know his status. I saw him at hospital last night before he was moved to the Care. It is quite tragic.” I was surprised that he had visited. Delph hadn’t said. But then again, Delph had a lot to think about now. “Morrigone said that Duf would be taken care of by Council.” “That is quite correct. He was struck down while on Council work on the Wall. He will receive life wages and timbertoes at our cost.” “That is very generous,” I said. “But what of his occupation?” “You mean as a beast trainer? I have never seen a finer one in all my sessions, but now, with no legs? You can well see the difficulty.” “I can. But if he is paired with another Wug who has an interest in beast training? Duf could teach him, for Wormwood will need another one of course. The Wug could act as Duf’s legs while he is properly trained up.” Thansius added, “And that way Mr. Delphia could have not just coin with which to live on, but a proper purpose for his remaining sessions?”

YES PLEASE THANSIUS HELP DUF

I gave him the name of a Wug who I thought would be a fine beast trainer. He turned to take up his ink stick and put on his specs to write the name down. As he did so, my hand shot out and scooped up a blank piece of parchment with Thansius’s name and the official seal of Council on top of the page. By the time Thansius turned back around, the parchment was safely in my pocket. I watched closely as he wrote the name in a particularly stiff hand, so unlike the flourish with which I had seen Morrigone write and with none of the curlicues of which Domitar was fond. I thanked Thansius and hustled out.

Hold up Vega, what- what are you doing??

Going down the steps, I patted my pocket where the official parchment sat. I had seized an opportunity that had presented itself. I smiled because I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I was going to write a letter. This light was a very special one for me. I was going to make the most of it.

I dont know what you're planning but we should maybbbee keep Thansius on our good side, hmm?

Now I wore a blue frock, white stockings and shoes that had heels on them and made me even taller. She gazed in admiration at her handiwork. “Well, I’ll be. I knew there was something under there, dear. We just had to dig for it, didn’t we?”

Awww

She said, “Saw you best Non, Vega. Cheered like a mad female, I did. Just didn’t want to go on about it when I recognized you. You’re like, well, a celebrity now, aren’t you?”

Yes she is, as she deserves

The trip to Morrigone’s went quickly and I was able to sneak up to the front door and push the parchment through the slit there. I knew that Morrigone would not be home yet, nor would John. But I was certain the ever-faithful William would ensure that Madame Morrigone would receive it. That errand complete, I hurried on to my next destination. The Care.

She schemIng

“Vega Jane, whatta ya … whatta ya done to yourself?” he sputtered. “Just … just tidied up a bit,” I said shyly. He rose and walked over to me. “Tidying up? Is that what you call it?” “What would you call it, Delph?” I asked bluntly, and then wondered why I had. This query caught him off guard. He scratched his head, looked unsure. “Uh, I think I’d call it … Well, you do look quite tidy, now that you mention it. Quite tidy indeed.” Then his face turned crimson.

Delp you little Innocent boy

I hooked my arm through his. “I think you look perfectly respectable. And I’m going to eat a meal at the Starving Tove and I want you to come with me.” He suddenly grinned. “What’s the occasion?” I decided to just tell him. “It’s my birthlight. I’m fifteen sessions old, Delph.” He looked dumbstruck. “But I ain’t done nothin’ … I mean I didn’t know….” “There’s no need for you to do anything other than accept my offer to join me for a meal to celebrate my coming into Wormwood fifteen sessions ago.”

I just want them to be happy

He gazed at me blankly. “Do ya hear yourself? Sow’s ear, my eye. You’re, you’re …” He took a deep shuddering breath. “You’re beautiful, Vega Jane.” Now he turned so very red in the face that I thought he was choking. “Thank you, Delph,” I said quite sincerely, although I was also blushing. The only Wugs to ever call me beautiful were my parents and my grandparents, and I had always believed they had done so out of a sense of duty.

STOP THIS IS SO CUTE

I reached my predetermined hiding place at the exact sliver I wanted. The carriage rattled out from Morrigone’s home two slivers later. I knew Morrigone was inside. I knew she was going to meet with Thansius at the south portion of the Wall near Stacks at the second section of night. I knew this because I had written that request in Thansius’s hand on his official stationery. I had chosen the south side of the Wall because it was the farthest away from Morrigone’s home and would give me time to complete my task.

Its John's birthday too isnt it? And she made morrigone leave so she could give john a gift

“You told my workers to disobey my orders,” he said sharply. I thought to myself, Your bloody workers? “They were weakening the straps by punching more holes in them. You know what happened to Duf Delphia. He lost his legs.” He made a dismissive gesture with his hand. “Morrigone reported this to me.” She reported this to you? I thought. He continued. “He will be taken care of. Timbertoes. Sticks. Injury wages. He will have no reason to complain.” “He will have no reason to complain?” I said incredulously. “With his legs gone? How would you feel if you were getting the timbers and sticks and not him?” “He is a worker Wug, Vega. Injuries to those types happen. But they will be taken care of. And their families. We are grateful for their service for the greater good.” We are grateful for their service? Since when did John start talking in the third Wug about himself? “I’m a worker Wug,” I said. “What if my legs or arms got lopped off while I was performing for you and the greater bloody good?” He stared up at me, his expression unchanged by my blunt words.

Omg hes totally gone to Morrigone... Fuck that bitch. He made john into a little prat

“You … you’re still in the Duelum.” “I know I am. I’m surprised you’re even aware of it.” “I … I hope that you win.” “Thank you.” “You should go now.” I reached in my pocket and pulled out the package wrapped in pretty paper and handed it to him. “Happy twelve sessions, John.” He registered surprise as he looked down at the package. My brother and I shared the same birthlight. He looked up at me with guilty eyes. “But that means … I lost track …” “It’s okay. As you said, you’ve been very busy.” I was gratified to see that under a shell that was hardening with each passing light, my brother was still in there somewhere. But for how much longer? “Open it,” I said. His fingers dispatched the pretty paper. It was a journal inside. “You’ve read so many books, John, that I thought it quite unnecessary to give you another. But as smart as you are, I thought you might want to start writing one of your very own.” He looked up at me with tears in his eyes. Slowly, we both reached out for the other and embraced. I squeezed John as tightly as I could and he did the same to me. “I love you, John.” “You best go,” he said anxiously. I nodded. “I best,” I replied. And so I did.

Its so sad thar morrigone fucked up their relationship so bad