Valentine surveyed the aftermath. One man was unconscious and limp, the other laying on the floor, his face covered in blood, gurgling sounds came from his throat as he tried to breathe. The other patrons of the bar just stared at him. Valentine’s eyes flicked from left to right, trying to see if another attack was coming. The feeling of battle was overwhelming. The sounds of the fallen enemies, the smell of blood, it was only in battle that Valentine felt truly alive, a feeling he had been running from. Slowly he realized that the battle was over.
“Do I owe you anything for the mess?â€? Valentine asked the bartender.
“Just get out of here and don’t ever come back,â€? the bartender replied. That was all the invitation Valentine needed. He drank the rest of his beer and walked out into the cold night air.