That You Fight Again – 6

Somehow the train station felt real again. I noticed the cold floor below my thighs and bottom.

“What do you think?” Ailith asked, offering me a hand to get up. “Can you keep fighting too, at least today?”

As I straightened my wrinkled trousers and shirt, I thought about that boulder of sadness and fear I was carrying inside. Somehow it seemed a little lighter.

“I think it can be done,” I answered.

My train was getting in.

Ailith pointed to the book I was holding: “Whenever you need to give voice to difficult thoughts, you know what to do, where to find me.”

“It’s been nice talking to you.”

We smiled at each other one last time. For the second time, I was amazed how her eyes expressed doubts and similar dreams of mine.

As I headed towards the platform, I felt some strength reborn inside, right in the middle of my chest. It wasn’t much, it wouldn’t last long, but I would have found a way to make it last me through the evening. 

I can fight one more day; tomorrow we will see.

When Jace returned to the cave, he found Ailith still sitting on the ground. Her eyes were closed and her face had a quiet smile.

“All right?” he asked.

The girl nodded. “You were right,” she replied. “Now I know what I’m fighting for. There are people counting on me. I don’t know if I can fight forever, but I know that I can fight today.”