Even as Soren asked Slacker, his eyes begged the man not to say it.
They really begged.
Finally, summoning the courage, Slacker answered.
His hands trembled as he cradled Ratler's lifeless body. Blood soaked into his coat, warm against skin already numb from grief.
"Yes," he said quietly.
The word was soft. Almost gentle.
"Yes… I would."
Soren's heart broke at those words.
Vinegar's sobbing hitched.
Slacker lifted his head, eyes red and hollow, yet terrifyingly sincere.
"I would kill her," he continued. "Not because I want to. Not because I hate her. But because I've already crossed that line."
His fingers clenched.
"I have already decided whose lives matter more."
Soren closed his eyes.
That was it.
That was the answer he had been waiting for.
Slacker laughed weakly through tears. "You see? That's the cruel joke of it all. There is no good choice anymore. Only… priorities."
He looked at Vinegar then.
For the first time, he did not look at her like a daughter.
