The Burnout

A cold calm suffused him, though he raged behind the barrier. The pressure had reached a point where he was sure more would have broken him, but he bore on, and it continued to build. He was simply a tool to the commanders, a piece on a board to be utilized until it wore out or needed be sacrificed. Unending tasks were his to be seen to, thankless and menial; apparently no one but he was capable of getting them done. His voice was flat, tired, and expressionless. His friends had left him, knowing he preferred to be left alone.