“I knew the risks,
I knew this could happen,” Rook spat, anger blunting grief only long enough for the heels of his hands to press against his temples. “There was no way we stopped the apocalypse without losing someone.”
“It was ambitious,” Emmrich agreed in his gentle way. “But we have all known…we still know what we might forfeit to shield the future.”
“I know,” Rook repeated and wished he’d choked before the truth followed. “I just always thought it would be me. That’s what I was here for.” Then the words were out and he couldn’t stop, despite the horror stricken pallor that overtook Emmrich’s face. “Everybody has their thing, right?"















