CRACK! The roof split open and was falling down. Fakir was frozen in place. I let my fear get the best of me. Fakir closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable crushing of his body.
It never came.
Fakir opened his eyes. He was pinned down under some of the tin roof. By now, his mind was filled with fear.
Another round of lightening came. Fakir was torn between what to do. Run or see if she's still alive.
He made up his mind.
Run.
Fakir struggled to get free, with his shirt caught in the wreckage. It tore as he tried to pull free. Fakir just crawled out of it, in a desperate escape from this place. As Fakir pulled himself free from his shirt his chest got slashed by the edge of the roof. So close to my heart…
Fakir was running, his chest giving him excruciating pain. He collapsed and sat down by a tree.
By now he was panting for air. Every breath seemed to rip his chest open more. It was then that he realized what he had down. I left her…
Fakir laid his head back on the tree trunk. I left her…
Why?
Because I'm a coward.
Caring for my safety over hers.
She could have helped me but I just shrugged her away.
Why?
Fakir started to tremble, not of just cold, but guilt.
She was the only person who could let out the real me. And what did I do?
Fakir clenched the ground out of frustration.
I left her behind.
I left behind the only person I could ever truly care about.
Because I took her for granted…
Fakir shakily tried to stand up. To leave all of this behind. He only went forward a few feet before collapsing again.
She could be dead for all I know now!
All because I couldn't let her in.
Let her know what I truly thought.
She didn't deserve this.
Fakir tried to lift himself up, but fell down again. His chest was bleeding freely, staining the grass below him. He didn't feel the pain anymore.
A stranger was looking at the scene Fakir was making, behind some trees. What did he do to his chest?!
Fakir knew it was over, probably. He tried to give himself what little comfort he could.
He started to cry.
Now I can't do anything to help her. Just like I could nothing to help Mytho.
The stranger was trying to creep closer. Never before did the stranger see an almost grown man cry. The stranger knew he had to help.
I'm just a cowardly knight.
His mind flashed to when Princess Krahe called him that.
Worthless writer.
When Ahiru was trying to stop the Ravens and Drosslemeyer still was able to control Fakir's writing.
The stranger stepped ever closer to Fakir.
She was right. I can't admit anything.
Fakir let his frustration out.
"AND NOW SHE D-DIED BECAUSE OF ME!"
The stranger nearly jumped back out of surprise. Who knew he could still yell? Wait, died because of him?
That yell took everything out of Fakir. He was slowly losing consciousness.
He remembered her words when he first realized she wasn't all that bad.
"I don't think you're worthless as a knight or anything…"
He shut his eyes.
But I am… I couldn't help you.
The stranger was slowly creeping behind Fakir.
I didn't deserve her. She needed someone who wasn't scared to let her in. Someone who could say he loved her back.
The tears were coming out full force now.
I never even told her I loved her…
The stranger kneeled beside Fakir.
Fakir still didn't notice the presence beside him.
And she won't be here to comfort me. I won't have anyone crying for me. I won't have a duck to hug…
Because of me.
Fakir let his mind wander into nothingness.
The stranger tried to lift Fakir up, although Fakir was almost twice the stranger's size.
"Are you okay?"
Fakir lifted his eyelids slightly at the voice.
Fakir leaned on the stranger. The stranger started to walk slowly, started to walk Fakir back to where the stranger came.
"Hold on."
Fakir used up the last of his strength to say a final thing.
"I'm sorry…"
The stranger could barely hear Fakir.
"Sorry for what?"
Fakir let his eyes close.
"I'm sorry…" He tapered off, but then continued.
With one word, one whisper.
"Ahiru."