Ankyra Sound it's easier than waiting around to die

it was peculiar that one so young would have felt such self-loathing. he should not have been plagued with those thoughts or emotions. he should have been able to roam and chase – to be wild without the fear of what a burden he had been on those around him. life was not that kind, however. the dark-hooded young man had found a cumbersome weight had stolen a home between his shoulder blades. at first, it had been a difficult one to carry. over time, he had grown used to the feeling of it against his back, inside of his chest, and down the length of his limbs. it was almost as though that terrible weight had become a part of him.
 
raleska spoke of the day she had been stolen. illidan clenched his jaw and turned to her with a furrowed brow. she asked if he remembered what their mother had said… but he was afraid to admit that he did not remember much of anything from that day. all he could see was the image of their bother imprinted in his mind like a brand against the hide of a bull. that reminder was all that it took to completely forget about his offer of visiting the plateau.
 
“do you mean… about ephraim?” he ventured in a graveled voice.