All had been arranged. He'd measured it all carefully. There would be no suffering, only sleep... sleep eternal. If dreams came, he prayed they would be gentle. What there would be none of is turning back, at least for them. He was last of all, and he prayed again to whatever beneficent being may be listening at this late hour for a swift ending on his part. But had he any faith left in prayer, he wouldn't have come this far, now would he? He sat gently on the corner of the bed and hung his head in his hands.