This is my first One-shot, so I'd love feedback! It's rather short, but, I believe, effective. Unfortunately, I don't own the rights to Reign of Fire, and do not claim any of it's original characters as my own. Enjoy!

One Simple Tear

"Mum? Mum?" Young Quinn Abercromby looked fearfully at the lifeless form of his mother, still in a state of terrified shock over what had just happened. He couldn't hear the frightened screams coming from the world above him. All he could see was his mother, all he could think of was how she'd given her life for him, and all he could hear was the rhythmic sound of breathing that had come from that cavern. He gripped her arm fiercely, fighting the tears that threatened to come. His face was contorted with the effort. "Mum ... don't leave me ..." he pleaded, his voice no more than a whisper. He brushed at the blood that was trickling down her face, as though he hoped it would bring her back.

At last, there was a clamor of voices above him, but he barely heard them. Several rescue men descended to the level of the stalled elevator, prying the doors open and stepping carefully inside. Quinn didn't look up. They pulled gently at his arms; he wouldn't let go of her. He fought against their prying grip almost desperately; he couldn't accept that she was truly gone. Soothing words fell on deaf ears as Quinn became more and more distraught, clinging desperately to his mother's cold frame.
"No! No, Mum, no!"

His cries dissolved into an incoherent stream of nonsensical rambling. One of the rescue men knelt down beside him.

"It's alright, son. She's not really gone," he said gently. Quinn looked up at him, a mixture of fear and hope in his eyes. The man nodded. "She'll always be here," he said, placing a hand over Quinn's heart, "So long as you let her."

Quinn took a deep, shuddering breath, a single tear running down his face. He closed his eyes tightly, as though wishing this terrible reality away. He looked up at his mother once more, then, with a sad but determined look, clung to the man.

The man, Quinn in his arms, walked to the edge of the elevator and tugged on his line. The two ascended, silent. No words needed to be said. A few short moments later, many arms were pulling on the two bodies, drawing them onto the frail platform at the top.

And Quinn stepped into the light.