Brian

Brian is the first person narrator and main character of the short story. Brian's entire life has been contained to the Region, in which he has played the part of a Squatting Ghoul in the Maws of Hell workspace for as long as he can remember. Knowing that to break his society's laws is to guarantee one's death, Brian is careful to adhere to the Region's strict code of ethics and behavior. He is positive and lighthearted, disinterested in creating trouble or conflict.

Then one day, when one of his friends, Tom, utters a falsehood about their world, Brian feels caught. He wants to be loyal to Tom, but knows that if he does not report him for what he said, he risks violent punishment. He wanders around, trying to decide what to do. Then someone brings him a letter from Tom. In the note, Tom begs him...