"GRAY!!"
Claire's scream echoed through the cavern, her arms shaking as she clutched him. His head lolled against her shoulder, blood sliding down his chin in a thin stream.
His eyes were shut.
"No, no, no, no—you're not dying here!" Claire's voice broke, sharp with panic. She pressed both hands against his chest, as if pushing his heart to beat.
"Wake up, damn it! Don't you dare leave us like this!"
Her flames flickered weakly across her arms, sputtering like dying candles. She slammed her fist against the stone beside him.
BAAAM!
The rock cracked under her knuckles, blood smearing across her skin. Tears burned her eyes but she didn't stop.
"Damn you, Gray! You selfish bastard! You can't just save us and then... t-then close your eyes like it doesn't matter!" Her sobs tore through her words, wet and ugly, but her fists still struck the stone until her hand split open.
