Check. Double-check. If you forget anything, you're a dead man.
Warren confirmed the contents of the rucksacks again and again, wanting to make sure he knew their stock without looking. He'd already practiced setting up the shelter and taking it down an setting it up, turning the lamp off and working furiously in the dark to make sure he could make the connections and slot everything as was needed without folly. It wasn't only his life that depended on being able to keep himself safe.
one
They can't possibly be safe. No one has heard from them, neither of their linkpearls have been active in weeks. You're not going to find them in some cave, keeping on until you whisk in to save them, you're not going to bring them home, you're never going to break bread or pour drinks or spend time
two
The thoughts had lingered for days, weeks. It was only a matter of time before they eventually crept into the cracks and snuck through the armor like so much water. He was drowning and every part of him knew it even if he didn't want to confess.
So be it.
The pack was good. The supplies were solid. There wasn't anything to stop him from killing himself in the snow and ice and dark, and no one would talk him out of it. A man has his duties, he reasoned, and he'd done a good enough job convincing those looking out for him in the meantime that he was capable.
three
He didn't know his mouth had contorted into a sneer of disgust. Three seconds was enough. Let the voices slip in. Let them bray and call and mock and laugh. They were powerless as long as Warren kept his goals at the forefront. It didn't matter what he thought he would find, what he thought and knew and feared awaited him. Where once determination and willpower existed and bolstered now only fear and hate dwelt.
He rubbed his cheek absentmindedly, wondering how true that was. Ultimately he realized it didn't matter; Fuel was fuel and he'd need all he could muster.
Warren confirmed the contents of the rucksacks again and again, wanting to make sure he knew their stock without looking. He'd already practiced setting up the shelter and taking it down an setting it up, turning the lamp off and working furiously in the dark to make sure he could make the connections and slot everything as was needed without folly. It wasn't only his life that depended on being able to keep himself safe.
one
They can't possibly be safe. No one has heard from them, neither of their linkpearls have been active in weeks. You're not going to find them in some cave, keeping on until you whisk in to save them, you're not going to bring them home, you're never going to break bread or pour drinks or spend time
two
The thoughts had lingered for days, weeks. It was only a matter of time before they eventually crept into the cracks and snuck through the armor like so much water. He was drowning and every part of him knew it even if he didn't want to confess.
So be it.
The pack was good. The supplies were solid. There wasn't anything to stop him from killing himself in the snow and ice and dark, and no one would talk him out of it. A man has his duties, he reasoned, and he'd done a good enough job convincing those looking out for him in the meantime that he was capable.
three
He didn't know his mouth had contorted into a sneer of disgust. Three seconds was enough. Let the voices slip in. Let them bray and call and mock and laugh. They were powerless as long as Warren kept his goals at the forefront. It didn't matter what he thought he would find, what he thought and knew and feared awaited him. Where once determination and willpower existed and bolstered now only fear and hate dwelt.
He rubbed his cheek absentmindedly, wondering how true that was. Ultimately he realized it didn't matter; Fuel was fuel and he'd need all he could muster.
![[Image: yEROfKO.png]](http://i.imgur.com/yEROfKO.png)
