"Because I killed you," Erskine choked out, letting his hands come to rest over his eyes. He took a deep, shaky breath. It didn't help. "What bloody right do I have to be out there laughing and dancing like nothing happened? Like everything's okay? I killed you."

They had talked about punishment. About how death wasn't always the best answer to murder. Erskine had swallowed it at the time, but even so... at least if he were in prison now, he'd know he was being punished. He wouldn't be on this strange rollercoaster of normalcy and despair.

"I... I'm sorry. You should go back out, I just need a minute."