12-04-2008, 02:48 AM
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It was mechanical, the process by which Ahren worked. One hand sought out the needle, the other the morphine. Twin hands, one marked by a scar he had caused himself, cradled glass and metal. He could taste the steel in his mouth and brought his tongue to his teeth, bit down on the bar and inhaled. That was all it took, that carefully measured amount, and he exhaled in a breath of hot steam against the cold air. Nearby, the embers changed their hues, indifferent to the silent act occurring.
Ahren took Laruku’s arm and hooked his own around it. He waited for the pulse, felt the rhythm under his fingers. Gingerly, he broke the skin. One ounce of pressure, then another. It was as simple as firing the crossbow he had long ago lost in another fire. At one pound, the glass would be empty, and all that would be left was the dark night so indifferent to their existence.
It was mechanical, the process by which Ahren worked. One hand sought out the needle, the other the morphine. Twin hands, one marked by a scar he had caused himself, cradled glass and metal. He could taste the steel in his mouth and brought his tongue to his teeth, bit down on the bar and inhaled. That was all it took, that carefully measured amount, and he exhaled in a breath of hot steam against the cold air. Nearby, the embers changed their hues, indifferent to the silent act occurring.
Ahren took Laruku’s arm and hooked his own around it. He waited for the pulse, felt the rhythm under his fingers. Gingerly, he broke the skin. One ounce of pressure, then another. It was as simple as firing the crossbow he had long ago lost in another fire. At one pound, the glass would be empty, and all that would be left was the dark night so indifferent to their existence.