Well, after all this time I've finally completed my Gunslinger Girl collection with the last volume. Here's the final pic.

Even though I've kept myself far away from online chatter about the final volume, I did hear enough to know that all is not lost: there's hope lurking amongst all the mortal ruins left from the last volume, which took its toll on all the characters' bodies, minds, and souls. The last few issues could have easily been acted out on stage as Italian opera, full of revenge, violence, catharsis, and recompense. And now as it reaches its finale, it's time for me to prepare myself and finish the journey with the last volume. Of course, with some stories, they continue on in other ways by inscribing their lives onto your own.