My first was a waste. So, despite this choking anxiety burning my throat, I’m determined not to waste another. Having only two lies left at the age of twenty eight is not ideal for someone in my unique circumstance.

Alas, I was never a cautious child.

Never obedient enough to heed my mother’s constant warnings:

“Honesty is a virtue, Silas.” or “Save them for the storms, Silas." whenever I asked why I could not use one of my lies.

The ignorance and innocence of youth lead me to believe having THREE lies to use in my entire life was more than enough. I had no concept of the trouble I may find myself in. It seemed perfectly reasonable at the time to deny that I did in fact break my best friends game controller in a fit of rage. Obviously an accident, but seemingly the end of the world if he were to find out and never want to share his video games with me again.

One lie spent-or rather burnt-at the ripe age of eight rotations.

Now here I am, sweating under scrutiny and blood still drying in my skin from the last raid.

And still lying to my best friend.

When he and the rest of the sentinels ask me if I killed Mathias, I say yes.