Leaves of every color swooped down from the trees in a gentle breeze, caressing the piece of paper in my friend's hands. What was on the paper, however, wasn't as beautiful as the leaves that surrounded it. He sucked in a breath. "It's a hostage letter. If we don't give them the orb, then they'll torture my family..." His stared at the letter, tears wetting the paper. "Hey, it's okay. We'll get them back-" "No! You don't understand! They'll take them away! They'll torture them!" He cried. "But we can't give them the orb. We'd be signing this kingdom's death wish." I argue. "You think I don't know that!" "We'll get them back and-" "No! You don't understand!" He shouted in anger. I pause. "You think I don't know how that feels?" "No! You don't! Your family's dead! You have no family!" His eyebrows furrowed and frown placed itself on his face. "We all saw your family die! They're gone! But I have to save my family!" I was angry and tears fell down my face. "I do know how that feels-" "No! You don't!" I wanted to punch him right then and there. But I knew it wasn't him talking. It was grief. Grief for his family. And I couldn't make it worse, so I turned away to pack up camp. "What. You're not gonna argue! You have no family and just reminded you!" Self control. Self control. Self control. "You're not even gonna defend yourself!? Your family's gone because of your cowardice! And even now, you're still a coward!" That's it! "THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF CONTROL AND COWARDICE! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!"
