Jacob wasn't sure about Mattie's ideas, but he stepped aside. She had survive long enough, just as long as he had, so she probably knew what she was doing. Just in case, he stood close by. The baby in the chair began to wail, and Jacob went over to it and scooped him up in his arms. He held the baby over his shoulder and patted its back, bouncing him as he did so.

"Shhh," he told it. "You're okay."

---

Nicholas turned his head to look at Mattie. His neck was stiff and hurting. Everything was hurting. Everything was so hot. It was so hot it was almost as if his vision was red. It was cloudy. He just wanted it to go away. He didn't want to die - if he did, he would have just let Jacob shoot him. But he didn't want to. He wanted to stay. [i]For Mattie.[/i]

"I'm fine!" he choked out as she approached him. "P-Please, don't hurt me! Don't kill me! Please!" he was shouting now, desperate. "I'm g-going to be okay!"