4b: Youth
Her skin was pale and waxy, and she was shaking in his arms. When they were clear of the battle he gently set her down, ready to catch her. He reached for her arm and carefully inspected the wound, but she didn't seem to notice. She was staring off into the distance, and he was wondering if he should speak first when she spoke, her voice a hoarse whisper.
"She…she almost died. I almost didn't save her." He shook his head.
"It's not your fault; you can't help it that sometimes civilians get caught up in these fights. It's not like you can pick where and when they happen."
"But she almost died! It's my job to save her and I almost didn't do it in time…almost…" Her voice trailed off and tears were streaming down her face, and the sobs started coming. He wrapped his arms around her, murmuring softly to her and stroking her hair. She leaned into him, giving in to the horror and sadness, and he held her through it. He realized she was sobbing words through her tears.
"I just, I just can't do it! She almost died and it's all my fault! I don't know why they think I can do this, why they picked me out of everyone else…anybody could do this better…I shouldn't pretend like I'm capable…I'm only fifteen! Maybe someone older and more experienced could have kept her from getting hurt." She grasped his jacket, shaking so hard he thought she would fall apart, and he found himself taking a deep breath. She's only fifteen…so young and with the weight of the world on her shoulders, when most girls her age are worrying about school and boys. I don't have half the heart she does. I may save her every night, but she saves us all.
