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What e do when…? He couldn’t finish the sentence Not even as a silent whisper to his other half

She just sleeping

Pulling her closer, he willed it to be true Willed her to wake and laugh with hiain He poured the full force of his personality into his desire, thinking that maybe his will alone could keep her with hie his life in just four days? And she had She’d turned it upside down He was a differentto live

for in this new and strange world So discovered, or the drive to protect his team

She gave him hope

Hope of a future filled with love Hoas he going to live when she took that hope with her? He would be half a man, because she had the rest of his soul tucked deep inside of her

“I love you so fucking much,” he whispered “Don’ leaveJust don’ leave me” He pressed his forehead to hers “Please, God, please”

He’d never felt as helpless in his life He couldn’t save her He couldn’t do anything for her except hold her and love her And beg “God, please…”

He’d do anything to keep her there “Maman told me you did miracles, God, please…”

A shuddering blast made the earth rock beneath hihter There was shouting, running Another blast from farther away Two more This was no mine accident His senses were sharp Alert He strained to listen, to make sense of the chaos He heard tires squeal, and adrenaline surged through him Gunfire Another blast, this one much closer The walls shook He called to his diamondback, and the reptile returned to his skin

Striker pushed himself up the wall and out of the tent, until he stood with his wounfire This ti Another blast It sounded like a grenade Hope soared His hold on Friday tightened He heard running feet Shots fired Soainst his cell door

And then it swung open

And Mace walked in

Striker’s knees alave way

“About fucking time,” he snapped at his second-in-command as he strode toward the door