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There it is.[break][break]

His finger sits on the trigger. He's ready. He hears Theo encourage him. He hears Gavin's neutrality. He doesn't hear Zev at all. Isaac isn't in his ear. He's not present. Nothing else matters. He's working his way up.[break][break]

"You tried to overdose my mother while I was in the womb. You tried to have us both killed." Revenge burns inside of him, exiting every single orifice, engorging Ashley in a rage-fueled flame. Hatred burned brighter than many other emotions, and as his words ring out, he's about to pull the trigger. He wields it like a weapon, and he pulls-[break][break]

Not realizing too late, the letter opener Mr. Byron held that embedded itself to his side by the man, a fatal blow missed to just a wound that he would remember all his days thanks to the instinctual side-step Ashley made. Training day in and day out had led to blood pooling from a wound in Ashley's side, but the barrel moves light lightning, and with the crack of thunder-[break][break]

The trigger is pulled.[break][break]

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click.[break][break]

And like that, it's over.[break][break]

Crimson stains the desk, with puncture shots, and a perfect accuracy, Ashley watched the light leave his eyes, the blood splattering on his own face a little. His finger continuing to pull the trigger. The pistol drops from his hand, and he feels... he feels...[break][break]

Empty.[break][break]

It's a slow turn around. Isaac has a final look at his face. His silver eyes are this empty glaze, his face covered in blotches of blood, as does his outfit. When he turns to face the three men, he doesn't look relieved, or happy. He just eyes them blankly. A stare he had given years too late. But he didn't need to punch a mirror now. He was free.[break][break]

"..." One nod. He grabs at his side where he, himself, was bleeding. Punishment enough, he guesses.[break][break]

"It's done."[break][break]

He turns towards the window for a moment, and begins to look out into the pouring rain.[break][break]

Freedom felt so empty.[break][break]

END.

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