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I assess the y, unwashed hair It looks as though he hasn’t had a good meal or bath in a month A testament to life in a detention camp

"There will be no fourth atteuards killed Mercy for hiun froh I handle a gun every day during drills at the firing range

My stoet Theeyes, his lipsunder his breath I strain to hear Is he praying? Begging for his life?

I glance around htly

I look back at Harris, tense, waiting for the sound of the shot Instead, he lowers his ared histhe crowd until his gaze lands oninsideup the target’s rope, he walks toward me Guards accompany him My fellow carriers part until he stands in front of me He’s very tall I have to drop my head back to look up at him

His eyes assessteam Since your team came out on top today, why don’t you do the honors?"

I frown, hearing his words but not understanding

So for the source I can’t identify the person, but everyone stares at me ide eyes

Sean looks atsorrow, pain?

Bewildered, I look back at Harris "I don’t--" My words fade as I notice his hand The gun that he now stretches toward hs in exasperation and grabs un at uers close around the heavye The noise The tension coursing through my body as I take , my head shrouded in cotton

I sense as much as see the other carriers back away fro tide

"Stand close to hiet stares at et" A man A human A life

Harris’s voice rolls softly nearwith the others, but I don’t expect you to be an expert e is sufficient"

My breath falls in sharp, little pants My chest actually hurts I look around desperately, as though a way out, an escape, is going to present itself

Harris looks atfrouard stops him with a hand on his chest

"I’ll do it," he volunteers, his lips gri out his hand, he flicks his fingers "Give it toan eyebrow mildly "I’m sure you would, O’Rourke But Hamilton here will do it Won’t you?" He looks back atI’m expected to follow instructions, but how can I do this?

I stare at Harris, searching his face, looking for soht appeal to

Nothing

"Take aim," he instructs

I lift rip my elbow and hold myself steady Still the 45 shakes, but not so e, there’s no chance of that I’old in the man’s brown eyesthe pulse throb in his forehead

"Safety’s off Fire when ready"

I curlto do this Like I can

"Fire," Harris snaps

He’s a carrier Who knows all that he has done?

You’re a carrier You’ve done nothing

Until now

Silence falls aroundslows Almost like in a dream No one makes a sound as they watch the scene unfold I can feel Sean’s eyes onme toto what? Shoot?

But I don’t want to be that This--the monster the world claier off the trigger and drop my arm It’s no use I can’t I’m not a coldblooded killer They can’t make me that

Head bowed, I choke out, "I won’t I can’t Do your worst Sendweakly "You can’t hs heavily "Very well"

I hear the slide of another gun fro with an odd sense of detachment if he intends to shootht now