Blame

Alexei slumped down to the ground, his back pressed against the trunk of an old oak tree.

He was no hero.

An entire city had been wiped out, and it was all his fault. If he’d done anything differently and finished the job instead of taking her captive, then maybe none of this would have happened. Thousands of people, if not more, would still be alive.

Neave sat down next to him and leaned into his side.

It was a small comfort, but comfort nonetheless.

“You shouldn’t be blaming yourself for this,” Risa said, her voice hollow.

Alexei looked up at her and saw tears rolling down her dirt-stained cheeks.

“It’s not your fault,” She went on, “It’s that bastard Administrar and the ones who he sent after you that are to blame, not the other way around. He’s the one you should be directing your anger at.”

“I don’t have anger right now, Risa,” Alexei sighed, “All I’ve got is sorrow for those who have died, so many innocent lives.”

“Aye, and so you should,” Risa agreed, she crouched down