Now that the gate was opened, Vinnie's words - shaking and unsure though they were - began to fall more freely. "Did anything have a point? Why..."

There was a cracking in his already rough voice, and it felt like hearing his heart audibly crumble. He took a gulp of breath to compose himself, at least long enough to finish another sentence.

"Why am I even here? What fuckin' good have I..." Another heaving breath, and he squeezed his eyes shut. Vinnie hung his head, with the weight of defeat pressing down on him.

In a low hiss, he finished, "...have I ever done in this shitty place?"