[ P ] down again i fall

reuben serein

The sun rose and life continued. The earth did not stop turning just because of a broken heart. Reuben picked himself back up and went to work, thinking only of Sulliven. It kept his mind from returning to Rayne and the pain in her face crying out that she hated him. Those summer sky eyes that had once gazed into his eyes with such warmth reflecting pain and hatred. Stop it. It's over. There was no way for Reuben to go other than down and he couldn't drag her down with him. It was a long way down to the dungeon and whatever pieces of himself he had to give up to get there he would give it all.

He volunteered for as many patrols as he could, trying to improve his reputation among his fellow recruits and superiors. A promotion was his ticket into the dungeon and all he needed was to convince someone that he was worthy of it. His latest patrol paired him up with Lieutenant named Victorian Coax and already he was considering whether it was worth getting close to him or not. A twinge of guilt throbbed in his heart, remembering how Rayne had suffered because of him. He wondered if he had always been so calculating and deceptive or if the war had changed him?

Still he stepped forwards, put on his best winning smile and approached the man he intended to befriend and betray. “Good morning, Sir. It's Reuben Serein. We’ve been assigned to patrol together,” he introduced himself, hoping Victorian wasn't the uptight sort.