ONE YEAR LATER ;  NEW YORK CITY,  NEW YORK

"Some nights I wake up and everything hurts a little.  It is amazing,  how long a ruined thing will burn."

—  Paul Guest,  1987

"You're not gonna get all self-sacrificial,  are you?"

The shaky laugh her father provides as a response doesn't make her feel too reassured.  While the toll that the last several hours has taken on her makes her body plead to take the safety of his arms for the comfort it is,  Ellie-Marie knows she can't let him even approach the idea of giving himself up for her.  It doesn't matter how that little girl inside begs to be held.

She leans back.

Another comfort comes in how he immediately scans her face like he's searching for a problem yet to arise.   She knows he only wants to help.   It's why she has to stop him now.

"Promise me."   She demands.   "Promise.  You can't-  I can't do last year again.  I can't lose you or auntie Abi.  I can't lose anyone.  I won't."