Unfortunate Souls

"You either die a hero..."

Every guy knows it. It's a death sentence no matter how you spin it.

But it's a purpose, a reason, a way of life. We didn't have voice. I never minded.

It wasn't so hard. I ignored the approaching end, I ignored the warning signs.

Now, lying in a pile of debris with a piece of rebar protruding from my belly, I can't help but think what if?

What if I had been more careful? What if, just this once, I had let someone else play hero? Would I live a full life, or would I carry on until the next time?

A friend warned me this would happen. He had a close call once, and then he just... disappeared. Last I heard, he switched sides.

I made the right choice, I chant to myself, and the funny thing is, it isn't a lie. Yeah, I'm dying. But I had a good run.

I saved people, I fell in love, I had a family. Yes, I'm leaving them, but I don't have any regrets.

I didn't go dark, I'm dying, I'll be gone in a matter of seconds.

But I'm dying a hero.