Brother

"You ever look in the mirror and not like what you see?"

Jack chuckled at the question as Johann stared into the mirror on the wall. The two had long been criminals, scouring the roads and taking what they wanted. They broke what needed to be broken in order to do that. They left people beside the beaten path, left to be saved... or not. They didn't need the help of any foolish man, woman, or child. Just their belongings.

"Every day," Jack replied. "Just as you do. We both know the answer to that question."

"You ever think about doing something about it?"

"I do. That's why I try to get better clothes."

Johann spit at Jack. "You know what I mean, you ugly bastard."

"That's no kind thing for you to call your twin."

Johann waved the statement off. He sat in his chair with a loud thump, tossing his legs casually up and onto the table. The things that they owned, if they could call it that, were of an assorted quality. Their home was a mish mash of furniture and vanity items. Things of bronze, steel, gold and silver. Simple trinkets and precious antiques. They had more than enough to survive and comfort for a generation. Had for a long while, in fact. And yet they kept at their work, strong and steady.

"One of these days we're going to get caught, Jack."

"And when that day comes, Johann, what do you suppose we'll do?"

"Attempt to steal our freedom back and be killed in the process."

"Yes, I suppose you're probably right."

Jack leaned against the wall, and the two sat in silence for a long moment, each looking at their own corner of the room. It was a conversation they had had many times.

"I don't want to die, Jack."

"Neither do I, Johann. But it's a bit late for that decision, don't you think?"

"What if we turned ourselves in?"

"I hardly think that would change a thing."

"You're probably right."

Jack sighed and walked to the table, putting both hands on it as he leaned over to look at Johann. His brother looked back at him, his eyes as cold and dead as ever. It had been a long time since Jack had seen anything but fear in his brother's eyes. The thrill of the fight had long passed. Jack supposed his own eyes must look similar. He didn't look in the mirror as Johann did.

"Why are you still here, brother?" he asked. "Why are you still with me? You don't enjoy this life. You fear the consequences it brings. So why do you stay? Why not leave, and forge a new life? Where of which you can be proud, and feel that you have a future to you."

"Because, brother," Johann replied. "That would mean leaving you behind to rot."

Jack smiled coyly. "That's what we do for a living, brother."

"It is," Johann replied, his face and tone as flat as ever. "But doing so on the way out would be defeating the point, don't you think?"

"Yes, brother... You're probably right."