His heart folded inward, collapsed on itself like a star surrendering to the last shudders of its inevitable descent into darkness. Shame pulsed from him, waves and waves of shame thrown off like a dying star shedding its corona. Shame warred with rage, wrestled with the sting of failure, of self-recrimination. Self-wrath. He hadn’t done enough, he hadn’t. Not if this was the end. Not if Kris was still in danger. Dan was right about one thing. He did not fear death. He welcomed it. Welcomed the release, the shedding of this terrible life. Every moment that passes from this one is dedicated to
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