Left Alone to Thoughts.

[Shagohad]

The time that was actually dedicated to rest entailed sleepless thrashings on the pile of mattresses that served as a bed. The only thoughts that haunted the wandering mind were those of pain, sorrow, and deep seething hatred.

"Might I make a suggestion?"

One eye opened in annoyance as all motion halted.

"Regardless of whether I say yes or no, you will tell me the same thing."

"It is like you know me..."

Shakily, he stood and made his way down the stainless steel hall of the ship, illuminated by wax candles hanging from mounts on each bulkhead. Their eery yellow glow distorting the shadows as they flickered and danced in the artificial breeze.

"What I want to know is why nothing works in my favor."

"You are alive, are you not?"

"Being alive does not equate with success."

"You have friends whom seem to love you dearly."

"Seem. A word that has shown its head over the course of my life. Things seem bright. Things seem to be working."

"Your issue is that you are jumping into this without second thought."

"Nothing has backfired-"

"-yet."

"...Yet..."

"Indeed. From what you read, you might be stabbed in the back some time soon."

"They would never do that."

The candles led to an elevator that descended into the bowels of the ship, opening to the musty, quiet, and dim cargo bay.

"Are you sure? These cutthroats are notorious for things like this. All you need is yourself. Tak-"

"Enough!"

With a crash, a cargo crate was sent toppling from atop its stack, spilling its contents of pilfered cargo onto the bay.

"Anger. Something that has been controlling you."

"They love me. They even told me."

The spilled contents was that of clothing. Sitting on the shipping lanes and pinching a cargo shipment here and there offered fruitful yields; others not so much. Slowly, he scooped up a t-shirt that held an odd graphic logo on it. The origin was Kusari, given the written lettering and distinct art style. He turned it over in his hands, creasing the fabric between his slender fingers.

"You will never be one of them. Accept that."

He continued to stare at the shirt, lost in conflict with himself.

---

"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"