TCR Epilogue) Choices

I didn’t use a corpse to used to visit Captain Gains, or Brother Tom as he was now called.

For this, I wanted to look him in the eyes, with my own.

Gains was still burly, but he had let his hair grow into a short shaggy cut. With the round bald spot on the top.

Shaved, not hair loss.

Considering how nice a day it was, I guessed that a Brute 4 didn't have to worry about getting a sunburn on the top of his head.

He was weeding out in something too large to call a garden when I caught up with him and looked up with a slight smile when I blocked out the sunlight. "Hello. Can I help you?"

I stared at him. As a Brute 3, I couldn’t beat him in a fair fight. Which is why I had something tucked away in my belt behind my back underneath the linen shirt I was wearing like a jacket.

Manifest had gotten it for me. “It’s only good for one shot. So go for the head if you do use it. And don’t leave it behind. It’s a bit distinctive.”

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He leaned back, then sighed. “Oh... Hello Scott. Is this when I die?”

I took a step back as he lowered his eyes to his hands. “May I have a moment to pray?”

I found my voice. “Will it help you?”

He slowly shook his head. “The prayer isn’t for me. Killing someone… It stays with you. I would imagine even when it’s someone who deserves it.”

I eased my hand behind my back, and the handle of the device vibrated as it scanned my fingerprint and armed itself.

“How did you know who I am.”

He smiled sadly, "I'm not the only one with powers who had sought sanctuary here. Brother Micheal had sought a place where he wasn't constantly driven to try to change things for the better, and failing. Most days here are the same.”

Looking across the field, I saw other monks gathering.

Gains held his hands together, palm to palm. “They won’t interfere. This is your moment. You have the right.”

I held the device against his forehead and took way too much satisfaction in seeing him flinch. "...Watching people die. Helpless to save them, to be able to do nothing for them but watch them go still. That stays with you too. It haunts you...”

I gripped the handle tight, the trigger under my finger.

Then I relaxed my hand.

“...Last week, I think I would have killed you.”

And stolen his corpse. Rank 4 Brute, the altered body version. There would have been no sense in letting it go to waste.

"But then I had to ask myself what could have possessed someone to put on a costume the same day they got their powers and throw themselves so recklessly into playing at being superhero…"

I pressed the button to disarm the device. "Don't you dare use this information to excuse yourself. You still made the decision that ended up killing three kids."

"But let me tell you about someone we're calling the Narrator…"