martyrs. i can't help but be drawn to them, all blood-smoke and resignation and an almost fisted hand, curled but not quite there. their hands usually shake when i see them. sometimes its a small tremor you would never notice unless you looked for it and sometimes its so bad they can't hold anything in their hands. most of them aren't even adults yet, they usually die before their 18th birthday, and if they don't they know it will be soon so they set their jaw, curl their hands into fists, and pray to all the gods that have forsaken themâlet the end be quick.










