Shoot the Messenger

I'll stay here with you until this dream is gone

The meager amount of hope that Remi felt was clawed unceremoniously from his body. His jaw tightened and the feeling of tears ran up the bridge of his nose and behind his eyes. He felt his hands tensing in the places they still held Sam's wrists, his eyes belatedly looking at the wounds on his hands.

"You..think? They are still out there?" The alchemist asked, though there was no judgement in his voice. Sam wasn't the type to boldly protect those around him. He was perhaps stronger given the lack of sunlight, but he was still who he was. And as Remi had told him once and affirmed many times thereafter, he didn't expect him to be anymore than that.

"Why did you not wake me, Sam? I could have gone with you. I.." The words choked in his throat, and Remi clenched his teeth together as he looked down at Sam, thinking the words but not able to say them: I might have been able to save her.