Jake didn't answer.
His attention was directed at the window beside the bed, watching silently as the sun set.
He had finally completed that damn training course, but it really had taken a toll on his body. When he woke up, he was in the infirmary. The hunters forbid him from attempting the course again until he was more experienced.

...wait. Was this the same bed that stupid redhead was in?
... He... really didn't want to know.



He closed his eyes and rest his head on the pillow.


"...It doesn't concern you."

...

"I did."

"... I told you already. This doesn't concern you."



He grit his teeth.
"I told you already. You, her... ALL of you. Why won't you just leave me alone? What I do doesn't concern you. Just leave me alone."

<...No. When we bonded, I made a promise to myself, to keep you safe. You're my partner, Jake. Partners are supposed to help each other. Push me away all you like, but I'm not going anywhere. The only way I'd leave you is if you die, and I don't intend to let that happen if I can help it.>

He sighed.
"You never should of bonded with me then."


He stiffened.

"I-"


"...It doesn't matter anymore."
Pushing himself up, he stared mindlessly out the window once more, one hand reaching up and wrapping around the cross that hung on his neck.
"That was a thing of the past."


There was a cruel smile on his face.
"What do you think happened?"
<...Jake, I'm so sor->
"I don't want your pity."

Pulling his knees in, he rested his head on top of it, arms hanging limp by his side.
Every part of him felt numb. He didn't want to remember. So why... why couldn't he let go? Why couldn't he forget?



Fingers flexed as they dug into the sheets underneath him.

"I... didn't want any of this."
Blood trickled down his chin as he bit into his lip.
"I didn't ask... for any of this."

<...Hey. Can I ask you a question?>
...


... That question again.
Hadn't he asked Gale the same thing?

What WAS he fighting for?
He didn't know. Not anymore.

<... what was she like?>
... Damn persistent thing, aren't you?


...



"She..."
His body tensed.
"She... was kind, to a fault. She was the type of person who just had to help every damn person she came across. Even... even someone who had no future like me."


"YES. I do. She had a life. She had a future. She had a dream. But no. Instead of living it out, she decided to waste it on some street kid like me."

He still didn't understand why. Everyone knew kids like him had no hope. No future. All they knew was how to steal, lie, kill, fight. All they knew how to do was survive. There was no way a kid like him could function in society.

But no, she didn't take that as an excuse.
Despite the odds, she still tried. She reached out to him, when he didn't think anyone would care, and gave her future to him. He had shut himself off from all emotion, to prevent himself from getting hurt, and she only tore that barrier down.

And now... she was dead.
She took the bullet that had been meant for him. She carried the burden he was meant to have.

Tears flowed freely, dripping onto the sheet.
A palm rested against his forehead as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the memory.
It was no use. He still remembered. Remembered everything.

Catherine... you idiot.