I Have To Force A Smile Off

I Feel So Out Of Place Here. No Matter How Much Money The Republic Throws At Me, I Will Forever Be The Boy From The Streets.

Tess," I Say. "i'm Going To Head Down To The Water.i'll Be Back In A Minute." "you Sure You Can Make It By Yourself?" She Asks. "i'll Be Fine." I Smile. "if You See Me Floating Unconscious Out To Sea,though-by All Means,come And Get Me.

I Can Feel His Presence Here In Every Stone He Has Touched, Every Person He Has Lifted Up, Every Street And Alley And City That He Has Changed In The Few Years Of His Life, Because He Is The Republic, He Is Our Light, And I Love You, I Love You, Until The Day We Meet Again I Will Hold You In My Heart And Protect You There, Grieving What We Never Had, Cherishing What We Did. I Wish You Were Here. I Love You, Always.

He Pauses When He Finishes Undoing The Last Button, Then Closes His Eyes. I Can See The Pain Slashed Across His Face, And The Sight Tears At Me. The Republic's Most Wanted Criminal Is Just A Boy, Sitting Before Me, Suddenly Vulnerable, Laying All His Weaknesses Out For Me To See.

I'm So Tired. I Don't Know If I Can Ever Outrun How I Used To Be.