Грань будущего

           Whatcouldbemorefittingthanredeemingmysaviorwithmyowndeath?

           ButifIgaveupnow,everythingwouldbegone.ThegutsI’dspilledonthatcrater-blastedisland.ThebloodI’dchokedon.ThearmI’dleftlyingontheground.Thewholefuckingloop.Itwouldvanishlikethesmokeoutofagunbarrel.The159battlesthatdidn’texistanywherebutinmyheadwouldbegoneforever,meaningless.

           IfIgaveitallIhadandlost,thatwasonething.ButIwasn’tgoingtodiewithoutafight.RitaandIwereprobablythinkingthesamething.Iunderstoodwhatshewasgoingthrough.Hell,sheandIweretheonlytwopeopleonthewholedamnplanetwhocouldunderstand.I’dcrawledovereveryinchofKotoiushiIslandtryingtofindawaytosurvive,justasRitahaddoneonsomebattlefieldbackinAmerica.

           IfIlived,she’ddie,andI’dneverfindsomeonelikeheragain.Ifshelived,Iwouldhavetodie.NomatterhowmanydifferentwaysIranitthroughmyhead,theredidn’tseemtobeanotherwayout.Oneofushadtodie,andRitadidn’twanttotalkitthrough.Shewasgoingtoletourskilldecide.She’dchosentospeakwithsteel,andIhadtogiveherananswer.

           Ipickedupmyaxe.

           Irantothemiddleofthecafeteriaandtesteditsweight.IfoundmyselfstandingalmostexactlywhereRitaandIhadgonethroughtheumeboshi.Ain’tlifefunny?Itwasonlyadayago,butitfeltlikealifetime.Ritahadbeatenmeatthat,too.Ithinkitwasfairtosayshehadagiftforcompetition.