Oh Rudy. You break my heart.
The sirens burn a hole in his skull. There are other noises too, that he doesn't pay attention to. Screaming. Crying. The suffocating sound of Death's footsteps behind them. Stalking their movements.
Back in the Fielders' basement again. Two times too many.
He may die with these people.
Frau Holtzapfel.
Pfiffikus.
He seeks her out.
Just a habit.
He stands up straight. He isn't afraid.
He's terrified.
I may die. You may die. He, she may die. We may die. They may die.
Tod. Death.
It occurs to him that he doesn't want to die. He doesn't want these people to die. He doesn't want her to die.
"Mama, you're squashing my hand!"
The bombs are squashing his heart. Constricting it.
He's not afraid.
Not afraid.
Afraid.
Words.
There are words. Coming from her. Floating from her mouth up in front of him. Dancing in front of his eyes. Fighting off the bombs.
Shh. Words. There are words. Shh.
The words, they are saving them. All of them. Him. They wrap around him and drag him to safety. The words.
Her words.
(I'm alive. You're alive. He's, she's alive. We're alive. They're alive.)