Page 983

‘Really?’ said Hector. ‘I figured you would think I’d never be able to do something like that.’

‘We were all young and stupid once,’ said Garovel. ‘Hell, you still are.’

‘Fuck you.’

The reaper snickered. ‘Actually, I’d say you’re strangely mature for your age. In fact, sometimes I forget how young you are.’

The sudden compliment made Hector hesitate. ‘...Really?’

‘Yep. But then again, it might just be your natural gloominess. Adults are all jaded fucks, y’know, so a kid can seem older by acting all dour and cynical. Little tip for ya.’

‘Mm. I kinda knew that already, I think...’

‘Not surprising. Were there any other bad things you tried to do?’

‘Well... uh... nah, I guess not.’

‘Seriously?’ said Garovel. ‘That’s it? Two things? That’s your terrible list of past misconduct?’

‘...I jaywalked a couple times.’

‘What a thug. I guess you were just fated to be on the side of righteousness and broken motorcycles.’

‘I thought you didn’t believe in fate.’

‘Oh, I don’t. It’s just amusing to think about some cosmic, universal force thwarting a little preteen’s bumbling efforts at being a badass.’

‘...I could be a bad guy, if I wanted.’

‘Uh-huh.’

‘I could! I mean, it’s not like I’m a saint. Technically, I’ve done all sorts of bad things. Stole drugs. Beat people up.’

‘First of all, saints are overrated as hell. And secondly, none of that shit even counts.’

Hector frowned. ‘I broke a cop’s arm once...’

‘Oh, you mean that thing you felt really bad about afterwards? That thing I’m sure you STILL feel really bad about?’

‘I... uh... that’s beside the point.’

‘Pfft. Y’know, despite how keen you might have been to get arrested back then, it really shouldn’t have been that difficult for you. All you had to do was throw a brick at a police car or something.’

‘Eesh, I didn’t wanna do anything THAT bad.’

Garovel just stared at him.

‘...Alright, fine,’ Hector relented. ‘I’m a fuckin’ goody-two-shoes. Are you happy?’

‘Mmhmm.’

‘...By the way, if we ever make it back to Atreya, don’t let me forget to visit Klein and find that cop again.’

‘Ha. What do you mean to do for him?’

‘I don’t know, but there’s gotta be something. I’m the Lord of Warrenhold, right?’

‘Indeed, you are, my friend.’

-+-+-+-+-

Marcos Elroy hadn’t slept this well in over a month. There’d always been something getting in the way. Something in his head. Something fueling the nightmares that he couldn’t even remember after waking up. All he’d known was that they left him sweating and his heart racing in a panicked way.

It was only here and now that things had changed.