Tear Jerker / The Impairment

• The revelation that Naomi Portman was murdered two years prior to the story, right in front of Mark's eyes, and every time Mark excused himself to see her, he in fact was going to visit her memorial plaque. A keen reader however will read in between the lines and study Mark's behavior as he talks about her and likely come to the conclusion sooner than before.
  • It's even worse when we see just the extent of Mark's internal turmoil and depression during his fight with Meleeo, the very same alien that was assisting and saving Kyle's life more than once, and the very same alien that not only murdered Naomi, but mascaraed as Norman Oswald, a professor at the college that Mark came to see as a father figure and even helped paid and supply her memorial plaque. Just...look and listen to him; he's completely and totally broken when he discovers the truth.
  • And worse when we learn all this time his one solace and source of understanding and support was not only the very source of his suffering and grievance, but an alien that Naomi supposedly befriended, trusted and wanted to show Mark.
• Emma Sumiko bleeding out in Kyle's arms just after she saved his life and killed Kiefer after the later shot her moments before. It's simply painful how the scene seems to drag on for more than needed and Emma grows pale from blood loss and bitterly confesses her sorrow for the choices she made in the story. Just...dammit
• Somehow Meleeo's death can garner some tears from readers. The dying creature strangely even takes the form of Norman Oswald, bleeding red and flashing a smile that doesn't exactly come across as mocking despite the circumstances. Special mention goes to his final words.

  Meleeo (as Norman Oswald): Mark...you could see my true colors after all.

  • Even Mark Rivera finds himself unable to gloat or even relish his success for vengeance as he looks down on the dying creature as he dies.
    Mark: Why, what's with the get-up huh? Still determined to mock me right to the bitter end?