[KQ] The Limit

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?

Sam did his best to not look at the results of his actions, the body of his mentor shockingly real in the way he curled up tense then loosened on the ground. He kept his eyes up, fixed on the wall as tears brimmed in the bottoms of his eyelids. But before he could confront the rage of guilt in him, force himself to look down, he was smacked to the side hard by a sharp point in his head.

He took in a sharp, pained gasp and lifted his hands to uselessly press against the wound, feeling the dent and the sharp waves of pain. Already his breathing was becoming hard to control, quick and desperate breaths marking the beginnings of something he knew could consume him.

Later, he would not recall walking up the stairs, his feet working independently like those of an automaton as his hands cradled his wounded head and his face was crumpled up into an emotional, ruined mess.

Honestly he was barely even aware of the child, did not truly understand the words coming from his mouth. Sam was beyond himself, in a swirl of regret and panic and pain. Zariah stepped forward, said something...then the doors opened. He watched it all with bleary confusion and wished he'd stayed at home.

Samuel

Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?

Cold comfort for change?