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(Scars do not appear to be cause of death –shock ... - Bad Request

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flesh and sinks in<strong>to</strong> the bone."<br />

"There is no difference..." He looked <strong>do</strong>wn at the floor and chewed his lips<br />

with a strange expression. "Beyond the sha<strong>do</strong>w <strong>of</strong> this existence, more<br />

misery awaits. There is no oblivion, no cleansing... <strong>not</strong>hing changes. The<br />

Planes rotate... and <strong>not</strong>hing ever changes."<br />

"Except you. You can still change."<br />

He sc<strong>of</strong>fed. "Nay, I have tried. Repeatedly."<br />

"If you <strong>be</strong>lieve that, then it will <strong>be</strong> true."<br />

"It is more than <strong>be</strong>lief, it is reality." His gaze turned dark. "Have you seen<br />

this city? It rots, and everything within it rots with it... there is no hope,<br />

<strong>not</strong>hing <strong>to</strong> strive for. Everything is stained with darkness and sha<strong>do</strong>w."<br />

I looked around the bar watching everyone else sipping tea or meditating<br />

peacefully. "What about your <strong>be</strong>liefs as a Dustman? Isn't that a worthy<br />

enough goal?"<br />

He nodded. "The Dustman philosophy is a worthy goal. Else I would <strong>not</strong> have<br />

<strong>be</strong>come a Dustman."<br />

"Then why <strong>not</strong> make the <strong>be</strong>liefs <strong>of</strong> the Dustmen your focus? Perhaps this is a<br />

life <strong>of</strong> pain and misery, but if you focus on your <strong>be</strong>liefs and that which <strong>of</strong><br />

value <strong>to</strong> you, they shall help you work past it."<br />

"Perhaps..." He considered what I had said. "Perhaps you are right. But...<br />

sometimes it is hard <strong>to</strong> ignore the pain <strong>of</strong> this life. How should I deal with<br />

it?"<br />

"Simply try <strong>to</strong> live as <strong>be</strong>st you can. Use this life, no matter how painful, as an<br />

opportunity. You are young. Perhaps seeing more <strong>of</strong> this life will kill your<br />

eagerness for <strong>death</strong>."<br />

The boy fell silent, thinking. Eventually, he turned back up <strong>to</strong> me. "Your<br />

words carry weight, sir... and a fresh perspective. I will <strong>do</strong> as you have said."<br />

I nodded. "That is all I ask... live, grow old, and learn. Farewell."<br />

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