• His arms were wrapped closely around me, sheilding me from the onslaught of bullets and spells, and for a moment, I almost mistook it for affection, for, perhaps, attachment to my person that was so unknown and positivly alien to me.

    I heard him swear and cuss, as he reloaded his gun with one hand and held me with the other. I could sense the heat of battle surround us and the so dispensible men run past us into the fray, only to be slaughtered without a second hesitation.

    They were coming for me.

    They didn't want me, they didn't love me, they didn't like me. Not of even this man, who holds me so tight and guards me so faithfully see's me as a monster. For what am I, but just another pawn in this game of lives called "War."

    I can feel his chest heaving up and down in a heavy pant, reminding me so much of that night. I can't remember a life before this war, and I can't imagine the world after it, only blood, violence, pain, and suffering.

    I clamped my cold and trembling arms around him, craving his warmth and letting it feed my soul. In the midst of his stumbling run through smoke and ash, I yearned to be free. If I clung to him like I did, I would be protected, I would be safe, if only for a little while. Then the night would come, the urges would rise, and I would be used once again. We would flee this place, and run again, lest we be caught in another raid.

    Or I could return to them. Just as it was here, I would be safe, I would be protected, but I would be used the same. I would be hated no less, and possibly even more, as a monster among monsters.

    He pulled the both of us behind a as of yet undamamged wall and somehow managed to laugh. He lowered himmself onto the floor, still clutching me. It was his laugh, harsh and mocking. The same way he had laughed when he came to take me.

    I heard the sounds of running and more breathing. Two men approached us. "Sir, we're here to escort you and the girl to safety." He spoke quickly and formally, as he was trained to. I peeked over my shoulder at the one who spoke and saw a man dressed in a standard military uniform and paying no attention to me, his face locked onto my protector.

    He laughed again and stood up, dragging me with him.