I raise the gun a little higher. Akim closes his eyes and breathes out softly.
It’s that one act that changes my mind—the fact that he doesn’t beg for his life. He prepares himself for death like a man, not a coward.
Time ticks past. In the background, I hear the wheeze and cacophony of one of the warehouse rafters giving way to the heat.
One eye peeks open. Akim realizes that my hand has dropped and the gun is no longer pointed at him. “Y-you’re not gonna shoot me?”
“Why not?” he asks suspiciously.
“Because you gave me what I wanted.”
He looks even more confused now. “I barely gave you anything.”
“You confirmed something I’ve been grappling with for years. Thanks to you, I have clarity and purpose. Well—renewed purpose anyway.” I take a step towards him and he flinches back instant
