Barnes' final thoughts (Baccano!)

Master Szilard sets his palm on my head.

Immediately, “it” is snatched away from within me. If asked what “it” is, the only answer I can give is “everything.” I can feel all the blood in my body gathering in my head. It isn’t only blood, though. I can feel my muscles shriveling and drying up, starting at my toes. I feel the desiccated flesh crumbling, being drawn into my body. Ah, my legs are gone already.

My memories… I can feel my memories being siphoned away. …Oh… Come to think of it, everything I am will become part of Master Szilard. In a way, does that not mean I will gain eternal life? But why was it I wanted eternal life?

Oh, I’ve disappeared up to my stomach. Hurry, I have to hurry and remember. But why is my stomach gone? Oh, the man in front of me is Master Szilard. That’s right, Master Szilard is punishing me. But why am I being punished, I wonder… OH, THAT’S RIGHT, I WASN’T ABLE TO CARRY OUT MY MISSION. BUT WHAT MISSION WAS IT? I CAN’T REMEMBER NOW. THAT’S RIGHT, THERE WAS SOMETHING I HAD TO REMEMBER.

OH, OF COURSE. I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER EVERYTHING. I WANTED ETERNAL LIFE BECAUSE I THOUGHT…
…I COULD BECOME A HERO, LIKE THE ONES IN MYTHS AND LEGENDS… …AND PROTECT THIS LAND.

NO, THAT’S WRONG, IT WASN’T THE LAND. MOMMY. IT WAS TO SAVE MOMMY. FROM THAT GUY, THE ONE WHO HIT HER EVERY DAY.

WHO WAS THAT GUY? I CAN’T REMEMBER. I REMEMBER HE DIED IN AN ACCIDENT. HE DIED IN AN ACCIDENT. WITH MOMMY.

WHAT’S A MOMMY? I CAN’T REMEMBER.
WHAT IS REMEMBERING?
AH…
AH…
…