Just the tiniest piece of metal.

That was all it took.

They were two seconds too late.

And it hit him.

A bullet.

Two seconds, and it had cost him his best friend.

He had seen him fall.

Bleed.

If he had just been two seconds sooner.

Then Neal would still be here.

They would be celebrating the win.

But no.

He was sitting alone in a bar.

Drinking.

And Neal…

He was lying on a cold metal slab.

Dead.

Empty.

The light gone from his bright blue eyes.

The silver tongue spoke no more.

And it never would.

Ever

Again.