The Black Envelope

Chapter 2: Remorse

Chaper 2: Remorse

"Gage, dude, what's up with you today? You look like death."

Gage glanced up to see his good friend Thaddeus Wahlman weaving throughout tables, trying to maneuver his way over to where Gage was currently situated at the bar. Thaddeus had been one of his only friends since grade school and was a fellow Messenger. A year older than Gage, Thaddeus walked with the arrogance associated with the kind of people born with good looks. He constantly reminded Gage of his wavy brown hair that occasionally fell over his pale green eyes and the same kind of lean build that he shared with Gage. Whereas Gage had been short and skinny and then grew taller and more muscular as he became a Messenger, Thaddeus looked the same as he always did, tall with muscles that showed how much he went to the gym every day. Thaddeus didn't have to deal with the ridicule Gage had been through during his childhood, but he still stuck with him despite being shunned by the other kids he would have normally hung out with.

Gage grunted and hunched his shoulders over his drink. Not legally old enough to drink but blessed with privileges only Messengers had, Gage had ordered a general, brand-name beer but hadn't touched it in the hour he had been here. Even after almost twelve hours he still couldn't get the face of that girl he had sentenced out of his head. He usually didn't have trouble with delivering to people, but something had unnerved him yesterday.

"Earth to Gage, you still with me, man?" Thaddeus took a seat next to Gage on the adjacent bar stool. He waved over the bartender and ordered a shot of whisky for himself and Gage. When the shots came Thaddeus immediately downed his and pushed Gage's toward him.

Gage stared at it blankly, not registering what he was looking at.

"Jeez, Gage, something’s really got you down today, you never ignore your whisky." He waited a moment and then stole Gage's shot and downed it too.

"Fine man, if you're not going to tell me what's wrong I'll just go talk to Dr. Levens." That finally startled Gage out of his reverie.

"I swear, Thaddeus." Gage grumbled as he turned to face him.

"I don't understand why you hate Levens so much, Gage."

"It's because she's a freakin' weirdo, that's why. Whenever I pass her in the hallway she stares at me like I'm a walking death omen."

Thaddeus laughed, "That's because you are, man. We all are."

Gage scowled, "Whatever, I just don't get why the M.U.S.P even has to have a counselor in the first place."

"She's for those saps that can't handle sending people to their imminent death."

"That's a little harsh, Thad."

Thaddeus snorted, “Don’t preach to me, Gage. You’re not the most saintly guy I’ve met, either.”

“Still.”

Thaddeus raised one eyebrow in amusement. "What? It's not like we all aren't going to die someday. Well, except for the Unnoticed. And maybe Dr. Levens, if she turns out to be the witch you say she is. The Messengers just make that date a little bit sooner. You're not going soft on me, are you Gage?"

"Come on, Thaddeus, think about it. Are you seriously telling me you don't feel at least a tiny bit of pity when you hand them that envelope?"

Thaddeus studied Gage's face, then turned and ordered another two shots. This time Gage drank his, a mind-clearing fire burning through his throat.

"You alright Gage? You seem like you had a rough night."

"Delivery yesterday. Had to sentence someone in Mr. Wilmarth's class."