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}                                                   LAST GIFT\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs28\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs18\kerning28 Mercy killing
\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs18\kerning28\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs18\kerning28     {\fs22
My love flinched and moaned in pain as my last loving caress of her breast touched
 the smooth skin. My last kiss was met not with her joyous returning kiss but with
 more signs of the pain any touch caused. We were happy once, madly in love and 
boundless in our willingness to share both the spiritual and the physical manifestations
 of that love. Childless, we poured everything into each other. Others speak of 
bliss but we truly had it.\par}}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     Then 
the blood vessel in her skull opened. My love was stolen away by a small leak that
 nobody knew about. Changed from a loving, vibrant, beautiful woman into a husk 
that still lived but did so only at the cost of constant pain. Laying on a bed of
 agony, betrayed by her damaged brain. The sense of touch that had given her such
 joy as we made love now gave her only  unending pain as any touch was transformed
 into the feel of raw flame. The softest sheets become instruments of torture. She
 knows nothing but unending pain. They tell me she could live for years. Years of
  torture. Years of waiting for the fires to stop burning her. Yet they keep feeding
 her, keep on doing the things that will extend her agony. \par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     I have
 reached my limit. I can no longer watch her suffer while others allow it. I have
 planned this for some time but have delayed until I am sure there is no other hope
 for her. Tonight I will give everything to free her. \par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     For the
 hundredth time I test the edges of the knife. A double edged dagger that was handmade
 by a master smith. Made just for us. Looking back I think he knew what it was for
. He refused payment for it, instead telling me that I could pay for it after I 
had a chance to try it out and then if I was satisfied I could send him a check. 
Somehow I was able to thank him before I left. I studied and practiced waiting for
 tonight. Now it is time.\par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     Her naked
 body still is beautiful. With the softest touch I locate the space under her ribs
. Carefully I place the needle sharp point in the proper place. Move my hand until
 the point is aimed at her heart. The heart that loved me and that I loved so much
. I look at her pretty face. A pulse can be seen in her slender neck. I push the
 knife. There is almost no resistance as the steel slips into her body. Her face
 moves just a bit as she inhales a quick breath. Then the tip reaches her heart. 
I can feel it beat in the grip. I could still let her live but I know I cannot. 
Her pain is too great. The blade slips in another four inches. I rock and twist 
the grip. The razor edges effortlessly cut her loving heart into pieces. \par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     Her face
 changes. Just for a second  the mask of pain drops away. I see her as she was the
 day we stood in the park in front of our friends and promised to always take care
 of each other. I dream I see a smile of thanks, a smile that carries with her love
 and the promise that she will wait for me. Then she leaves. \par}

\pard\nowidctlpar\nooverflow\sl240\slmult1{\f0\lang1033\fs22\kerning28     As her
 body goes limp I scream and collapse over her. They find me crying. I am taken 
away to face whatever happens. I don\u8217\'92t care what they do to me. To free
 her is worth any price. Her pain has ended. I am content.}}