Archer

Bone-weariness seeped through every fiber of my being as I kept solitary vigil through the empty pre-dawn hours.

"Shit, we need an ally." I whispered to myself.

But rest evaded me, thoughts churning relentlessly if I remember how Alex is now on my team. Dread of some new calamity unleashed and bleak relief at ugly truths finally aired.

However the horrific past stains uncovered, rot could only spread if left to fester untended. Harsh cauterization was required now to secure the wound against further corruption.

"I could not undo Mother's sadistic nurturing that warped young imperatives in me. Her manipulations had sunk barbs deep under my armor that no...