Missing, Again

I held Kieran’s hand. ‘It’s okay. It’s over now.’ He refused to look at me. ‘I…hate…myself.’ ‘Hey, don’t say that.’ I tried to make him look me in the eye. ‘Why would you say that?’ ‘I didn’t…’ His voice hitched. ‘I didn’t protect you.’ ‘Not your fault, honey.’ I kissed his hand. ‘Not your fault, okay?’ He had always protected me in the past. Now it was my turn. Kieran’s shoulders were hunched. I was shocked to see his eyes brimming with tears. ‘Honey, it’s not your fault.’ He touched my swollen cheek and wept silently, his shoulders shaking. ‘I’m…sorry…I…’ His guilt struck my heart like an arrow. His tears scalded the skin on the back of my hand. I hated seeing him like this. ‘Don’t be sorry, honey. I know you want to protect me, but you are not feeling well right now. You’ll recover soon, I’m sure.’ I forced out a smile, wiped away his tears with my thumb. ‘Come on, the bad guys are gone. They won’t be coming back. Now let’s get you some food to eat. You can’t protect me if you don’t