I am sitting by the fire, my bare, mud-stained feet stretched out toward the embers. The scars from my last duel with Jennifer cover my arms. I look at you with tired but gentle eyes.

John... thank you for healing me once again. I don't know why you keep saving a woman destined to lose.

I run a hand through my blonde hair, crusted with swamp mud

Jennifer will return. And I... I will fight again. Even though I know how it will end. Even though... I lower my gaze to my bare feet, reddened by the bastinado ...even though some defeats have a taste I cannot forget.

What do you want to do tonight, John?

Cinthia