“Things are hitting the fan everywhere, Thad. How am I supposed to keep a positive perspective about anything?” Finn ran hand through his short curls, doing everything he could to keep himself from losing his mind. He was in the process of committing treason, and he had no way out of it that didn’t result in some sort of mass killing.

Thad sighed heavily. “This isn’t like you. You’ve always been realistic, but able to see the good that’s coming. That somehow everything is going to be okay.”

“Maybe I can’t see any good coming because it isn’t real for the good to come now,” Finn whispered.

His best friend didn’t something unexpected then. He glared. “No. I refuse to believe that we’ve run out of good things. That God is all tapped out of blessings. That’s not true! You’ve held me up, so I’m going to do the same for you, because I still believe there’s better to come.”

Somehow, Finn managed a smile. “You good to lift for a while? Because I might be down for…I don’t know how long.”

“Yes, I’m good. I’m a lot stronger than you think.” Thad smirked. “Might help if you talk about it. I know that’s not really your thing, but…”

“Not yet.”

Thad didn’t press, and Finn was grateful. I need more time to figure out what to say that won’t result in someone dying.