"It all haunts me. I haven't been able to stop thinking about it- all these decisions I had made, leading me to this one inevitable outcome. As much as I try to stop them, these thoughts cannot stop crawling back to all of the things I could have- no, should have done differently, making me feel the full sting of regret.
There was a part of me, much more hopeful than I actually was, that wished I had stopped him as soon as that nonsense plan had escaped his mouth. That's what people usually told their friends in that situation, right? "Don't do it. Please reconsider". But of course, I didn't. At the time, I could give him was a simple, grave nod.
Acceptance.
I knew he was being realistic - I had known the man for only a few months, and yet, I had quickly come to realize he would never use the word "Sacrifice" lightly. His last little lesson, I had carved it into my mind, echoing ever since I had heard it. "This isn't the best, but this is the best we can afford to have".
Now, I wish to simply follow in his footsteps, hoping to save the one thing he left behind. I don't consider it punishment, though - I believe it is merely atonement, a debt repaid to a great friend."
