A Shot At Life.

11:00 PM, Svalbard, Norway

One thing is for certain; Svalbard is extreme.

But I shouldn’t be surprised; after all it lies between Europe and the North pole.

But that not - so - surprising fact didn’t make my insane dare any saner. In fact, I could bet I’m not sane either.

I won’t tell you who gave me the dare, or who I am, for there is a reward in my name and therefore you shall seek me.

I am in Svalbard because of the legend; the one that is whispered among every resident here; every alchemist’s desire; the sorcerer’s stone that lies in the middle of this cold, dreary land.

I have travelled across many lands; escaped from the very clutches of the police, killed more than a few to get here.

And yet as I stand here, clutching the ruby red stone in my hand, I wonder whether it would be better to live forever a life of crime, or to escape the wretched thing this very instant?

Even as I ponder this, I feel my finger twitching at the trigger of the gun pointed to my head.