We each make at least one sacrifice in our lives… sometimes they are minor, simple elements of our life we can live without. But I've had to sacrifice more than I could give for. My father, my mother, my sister…
My little sister…
It was insolent and unjustified that Amanda had to die. Feeling the girl I called a sister dying in my bloodied, soaked arms made me realize just how badly I'd treated her. Granted, I didn't treat anyone with much respect. I'd been terrible to all of my accomplices, including Amanda, Nolan and Aiden.
But now, I knew that was a mistake, because of my own insolence. My sister's death was caused by me.
I let out a small laugh that I felt was mocking of me. I didn't stop it. Emily, you heartless bitch. A voice inside me said. She did so much for me. She gave me her name, she put her life on the line, and she proved to be more loyal to me even when given the chance to turn on me when I was using her.
Her final words quickly etched themselves into my heart and tore a piece of it away. She didn't care that she gave up her identity and her own life.
"You've given me the one thing I thought I'd never have. A family."
I didn't want to let her body slip from my grasp. I would've held her for hours stroking her hair, whispering that I loved her, that I wouldn't let anything hurt her. That she was family. I felt like I was Rose DeWitt Bukater, dropping Jack Dawson into the ocean after the Titanic.
Crying uncontrollably on the life raft as I fired off the flare, I made a promise to myself that I would protect all those I loved, Jack, Nolan, Aiden, Carl. In honor of Amanda.
"For Amanda…" I whispered.
…
A/N: Watching Amanda die the first time around was one of the few video game TV movie events that has ever made me cry. I'm sure it made you cry too.