An Ancient Sin (3)

Memories of another man, bursting like bubbles behind his eyes.

“We… they… didn't know enough about what she… what you are.” A tiny line of scar tissue in her fine blonde hair, the implant lurking beneath. “You scared them.”

“Are you scared, nice man?”

Another man’s words in his mouth.

“No, I… he wasn't.”

“You said you wanted to help me. Help everyone. Was that true?”

Good intentions. Bitter compromise.

“Yes.”

“Did it help?”

The burden of a terrible choice.

“No. It made things… so much worse.”

She points at her raging double.

“You can help her though- can't you?”