Page 107 of The Circle

Thediamond.

The diamond that started this.

The diamond that I took.

Istarted this.

And I have to end it.

I stand, slowly, gently letting Eliza’s head rest on the floor as I rise to my feet. I pick up my jacket, now soaked through with her blood, and slide it back on.

I stare at her there for a second, once again allowing memories to run through my mind but stopping them before they get to be unhelpful and paralyzing.

I walk over to one of the other dead bodies in the room. One of the dead young men who had the misfortune of being here today.

I pick up his abandoned AK.

I check the clip.

I slap it back into place.

I sling it over my shoulder.

I glance one last time at Eliza, lifeless on the cold castle floor.

And I head off in the direction Alec and Danny went.

To finish this.