This next chapter is pretty short, and gives you a look into the antagonist's past. It's set in the antagonist's point of view, and as you'll probably guess, his name is Ajax.

Ajax sat down on the bed of his motel room, thinking. He only had five more items on the list. Then he could complete the ritual, and the misery of the last three years in this wretched world would be worth it.

He rolled over, thinking about what he would do when he finally reached his goal. It had been such a long time, he had almost forgotten what happiness was like. He slipped into dreams and memories. Of home.

Ajax smiled at the handsome man laying down next to him. Some grass poked into the collar of his shirt, making him feel itchy, but he ignored it and focused on the emotions he was feeling. The clear sky, surprisingly decent weather, and lack of mud had made this one of the best picnics Ajax had had in a while.

Bryce Foret, the man he had smiled at, made a funny face at Ajax. "What're you smiling at?"

Ajax grinned even wider. "I was just thinking that this has been one of the best dates we've had in a while. Nobody interrupted us."

Bryce laughed his deep laugh that made Ajax's heart flutter. "Babe, that's just because I ordered the gang not to interrupt us on pain of death."

Ajax laughed too. "Yep. That'd do it."

The scene quickly changed. Now they were in Ajax's personal library.

"Is this the one?" Bryce asked, squinting at the book in his hand suspiciously.

Ajax laughed. Strange, lately he seemed to be doing that more often. "No, the book is on a different shelf."

Bryce groaned. "Remind me why you aren't getting this book yourself?"

Ajax smirked. "Because you're such a kind, loving boyfriend?"

"Right. Why am I such a kind loving boyfriend again?"

Ajax chuckled. "Because you're a good man."

Bryce sighed. "Well this good man is tired of hunting all your books down."

Ajax pouted. "Please, my darling Bryce, will you get this one final book for me?"

He shook his head, exasperated. "Fine. But this is the last one," he warned.

The scene shifted once more, but this time, to a less pleasant setting than a picnic or a library.

Ajax was in a dark room, and there was a key, a door, and a bowl of ash in front of him. Runes had been painted on the door using ash, and he was holding a paintbrush. He set the brush down, and was reaching for the doorknob, when the door to the room burst open.

"Ajax, don't do it, please!" Bryce cried. "I'm sorry I couldn't get over your actual job, I'm sorry I couldn't get over my preconceptions. Just please, don't leave me."

Ajax smiled softly at his lover. "I'm doing this for you. The faster I do this final task, the faster I can leave the gang behind and start a new life. With you." He yanked open the door, and stepped through before Bryce could stop him. A grey light blinded him, and he passed out.

Ajax woke up with a start. He ran his hand over his face, dragged himself out of bed, and began planning his next heist. The faster I get this done, the faster I get back to Bryce.