The problem with happy endings is that nothing is ever truly over. - Matthew Stover

"You're in the jungle, now. There are no rules." <br/k> "Of course there are. Don't be an idiot."

Mace flipped up a thumb. "You think being armed and ruthless means you can do whatever you want." He folded his thumb and flipped up his forefinger. "You think nobody will stand up to you when they're naked." He folded that one again and flipped up the next. "And you think you're going to look inside my bag."

The man did not move because only immobility could hurt more than motion: the man held himself still because to move might lessen his suffering, and that he could not bear. For him only pain had meaning.