“Yes, I am.”
His chest heaves. He sucks at his teeth, apparently thinking. “Perhaps you're right. Alright…”
He waves me across to his bag of tricks. “Let's get you armed. Something appropriate to your skill.”
“I don't have any skill with weapons.”
“My point entirely. So let’s choose something suitable.” He gestures to the collection and I turn, following his gesture, then stoop to look closer.
I don't even see it coming. Pain blooms and my vision blackens at the edges.
As I fall, something catches me and the words sound almost business-like. “My apologies, James. I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice.” The needle stings as it enters the vein and he pushes the plunger home, but then…
*****
Holy s**t…
Christ… That hurts…
My head throbs, something throbbing red and bl
