"…What the hell does that mean?"
Instead of answering, his other self let the smile fall from his face.
Then Azriel saw tears rolling slowly, almost tenderly, down his bloodied cheeks.
Azriel frowned.
For some reason, he almost flinched.
"I underestimated them."
His other self said it solemnly. Then he looked up and murmured,
"The curtains are open… the spectators are watching… but only a few will be burning…"
He looked back at Azriel.
Azriel felt his heart begin to roar with speed and fear.
Then, in a voice that almost sounded apologetic, the other him said,
"Sorry."
Azriel felt lightheaded.
He bit his lip hard and shook his head.
"I don't want your sorry… I-I just want an explanation. No… I just want to go home…"
"…"
"…But I won't, will I?"
"…"
"I… I'm really going to die…"
Then Azriel looked up, a fragile glimmer of hope returning to his eyes.
