“On one of our hunting trips, my dad once pointed out the tree rings of a fallen oak tree, his finger tracing a long, dark fire scar amidst the neat pattern of concentric circles. He explained how the fire makes the bark stronger, how it was necessary for a tree’s long-term survival to endure a blaze. My anger burned black, a deep curving line etched into my armor, and I knew I would take my revenge. Immortality”