Billy knew that Punchy had been close to Ronnae too. They'd worked well together, they'd been...cute. He was really going to miss seeing her smile brought on by another silly joke.

So when he recognized Ronnae's presence, he lowered his hands. She wouldn't judge him for crying, he knew that much. Billy rose to his feet, reaching for her. Ronnae seized him at the same moment.

He held her for what felt like a long time, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead. The same thoughts were in his mind: death was real. It struck closer and closer to them. What if it ran him straight through the heart next time?

"I miss him." It was a childish cry, but it came to mind so readily because it was a simple truth.