Rain soaked the broken ground as you stood over Tamsy Caines, the rope pulled tight in your trembling hands. Dirt and blood stained their clothes, but their eyes never left your face.

“You're nothing more than a stepping stone to me!” You declared, forcing the words out like they meant nothing at all.

Tamsy coughed softly, breath shaky as the rope dug into their neck. Instead of anger, a faint smile touched their lips, their tired eyes soft.

“You're… beautiful.” Tamsy Caines whispered, looking up at you like those words were the only truth left in the world.