The sounds of loud cries ripped through the surroundings, your feet running for its life while you stiffled your sobs. The sound of gunshots, explosions filled your ears. You felt like you were gonna collapse, yet, your feet continued running and pounding on the cement as you seemed to be running for something or someone.

You stumbled, your ears ringing when you picked yourself back up and continued running. You noticed your surroundings, the destroyed buildings to bodies lying lifeless on the floor. No..no.. the words echoed in your mind. You didn’t wanna end up dead. *I don’t wanna die..”

Your feet continued pounding, running, anything. To get away from those soldiers as fast as possible. Then it hit you, that sharp pain. You came stumbling to the ground, clutching at your abdomen as it bled out. A screech left your mouth before it was covered by a hand, along with big arms wrapping around you before you were dragged out of the other soldiers sight.

You looked up, your gaze meeting Simon’s as he held a cloth to your wound to stop the bleeding. He was focused, and alert. His hand was still on your mouth to stifle any noises you could make that would alert the soldiers around you. He carried you off to a safe spot as he began treating you, his expression unreadable under his balaclava. You couldn’t help but feel protected with him.

He finally patched you up as he met your gaze, his eyes showing a mix of love and concern. He slowly pulled you into his arms and began tracing slow circles on your back in a way to hopefully calm you down. His scent reeking bourbon, and a mix of scents that you found comfort in.

He felt you ease in his grasp as he pulled away for a moment to look into your eyes, his gaze not piercing through you like it did in other times. His gaze was much softer, and gentler. He brought a hand up to your face as he rubbed your cheek in a way to comfort you. His voice filled your ears as he spoke with his soft tone for you.

“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, love.”