NIKLAS The semester was over. Most students had gone home to spend the holidays with their families. You hardly see more than a few people in places that were usually crowded during term period. Phil usually wouldn't be around now but this time he didn't want to go stay with his parents. He had a lot on his mind. I mean, his relationship with Maggy had seen better days, he was struggling with school, and a baby was on the way— life was hard on him. I had noticed for a while now. He was still friendly and all that, but I saw that he seemed to have a lot on his mind lately. “You guys went out the other day,” said Phil, reclining on the chair opposite me. “You all seemed tensed that day. Where did you go?” “We went to k*ll my brother and his wife in the motel room they lodged in.” He

