“take it out. amelie, take it out. there’s a pair of scissors in the closet. kept them there for crafting purposes. helen, you know. take it out. it hurts. i’ll never repeat this information to anyone, so keep it a closely guarded secret, amelie, but it hurts. i’m terrified. i haven’t felt this pain before. don’t worry about hurting me. just dig into the wound, take it out. i don’t mind. why don’t you help me, amelie? surely you’re not as cold as they say. no, i don’t think you are. i’ve seen you when you think the world doesn’t see you. you’re not invisible, you know. you’re a hell of an assassin, hell of a worker, hell of a woman, but you’re not a ghost. i’ve met ghosts, shook their hands, killed some of them. you’re the farthest thing from a ghost. take it out, amelie. it’s just a bullet. you’ve taken them out of yourself before, haven’t you? it’s easy. twist and pull. i’ve seen you worry, i’ve seen you smile, and i’ve seen you angry. of those, your worry is your strongest emotion. i’ve seen it in the tremors of your hands, i’ve seen it when you’re looking down a scope, sometimes. it makes you human. it doesn’t make you cold. so take it out. i’m a man, a twisted fool, begging you. take out the bullet. please. it hurts. take it out, or you’ll know what it’s like to be in my position. i’ve heard you say you loved me, before. i know you think i didn’t hear it, you thought i was sleeping. maybe i was. i don’t place much stock in remembering the past. maybe you said you hated me. maybe you were on the phone, or talking to your gun. but i heard you say i love you. clear as day. as clear as your presence is here. if you love me, then take it out. it’s not hard. i’ll even be quiet, i won’t scream. give me something to bite down on. i’ll survive, i think. you will too. i know you think you’re mortal sometimes, like the rest of us. memento mori. but you’re not. you’re a hell of a woman, and a hell of a woman lingers far after she dies. i’ll remember you after, to hell with not remembering the past. just take out the bullet, and i’ll remember you. i promise. take it out, amelie. please. take it out.”