Flashback
Shouts and chaos crashed and impacted the panicking host of people. Fire and energy thinned the mob; foots stepped, unbiased, on ground or flesh. In the crowd, a figure moved, pushing them away from the disorder, or at least trying to. This figure was injured, holding his left arm to his chest, trying to keep it out of the way, since it was broken. He also did this to protect his cracked, even shattered ribs. Burns marred his exposed skin, and his breathing was ragged. But still he didn't stop.
"Get them out of here!" He called out to three men, about a gaggle of lost children, who in turn only ran away from the command, fear overriding duty. Anger rose up within the man at the sight of this. He had given up so much, and here cowards ran away, without so much as a scratch.
The children were standing in the open; the demons were close enough to kill. His aching feet carried him in their direction, facing what was to come. Then he saw it.
"Nic! Get them out of here!" He, again, yelled, this time to a sympathetic ear. Nic, whose own daughter was in his hands, was already moving for the children. The young child in his arms, Susie, was crying, burying her head in her Daddy's shoulder.
The man reached the children, and stood facing away from the destruction. Chris watched as the children linked hands slowly. The moment the last hand was clasped, they were all rippled and disappeared.
Susie, just as her Daddy was shimmering, lifted her head, catching the eyes of Chris.
It will be alright. You will be safe.
He knew she heard him. Chris smiled, she always did.
Papa! Please Papa, come with me and Daddy!
His smile faltered, hearing the turmoil in her voice.
Don't stay, Papa. I don't want you to die.
Chris locked eyes with her.
You will see me when this is done, I promise. But right now, I have to make sure you are safe, that Nic is safe, and these people are safe. I love you, I'll be there, I promise.
I love you Papa, and Daddy loves you too, echoed in Chris' head as he began to fight again.
No more than a three minutes later, Christopher took his last breath, breaking his promise to Susie.
His first lie.