Sanctity

He took one long look at Michael, tossed his head back and laughed. It happened so fast; Victor bent over my mother as Michael lunged forward but he didn’t reach either of us in time. The pain that coursed through my body reminded me of a glass falling to the floor. My insides felt like they had shattered into a million tiny pieces as I struck a nearby tree with all the force of Victor's wrath.

Michael tackled Victor and they tumbled into the snow as I fell to the ground. The realization of what Victor had done subdued Michael and he dragged himself to where I lay. Victor stood savoring the moment, "It's too late," he assured Michael. I was still alive, though. My breath bubbled up and out of my mouth as Michael gathered me into his arms and ran into the woods. Victor followed just seconds behind us calling, "There's no halfway, Michael! You can't save her!"