[color=D6CC88]"I'm not tired!" the girl protested.  "I'm not really hungry either -- and I can eat there.  If he's going to get better, someone should be with him!"  Why did they not understand this?  It was scary being alone in a strange place, especially after being hurt.  Her Mommy had always said letting a friend or relative stay just outside the room was okay, especially with children.  And with people chasing them, and strangers nearby, it would be worse.  "I don't care how good your mechanics are, someone should stay with Cecil!"  Amuné was getting upset.  It shouldn't matter -- he was dead, he wasn't going to wake up, but it still did somehow.  "I won't run around!  Mommy always says sit quiet or wait outside, and I can do that, I've done it before so she can teach me things and I'm a good helper if you want or I'll just be quiet and stay out of the way!"  She was tearing up again and growing increasingly distressed, and Wyth shoved his head into her side.  But it didn't help, and neither did Ethan.  When he took the girl's hand to lead her off she let out a shriek and tried to pull away.

"No!  You say he's just hurt but if you meant that I should stay!"  Amuné struggled to extricate herself, but the entirety of an eight-year-old's strength was no match for Ethan's, even when he was worn out.  She couldn't get her hand free, and when she tried to pry his fingers loose he simply scooped her scooped her up.  The child wailed a shrill protest.  "Put me /down/!  We have to stay, we have to!  He's hurt and if he wakes up he'll be alone and he won't know anyone and he'll be scared!"  Tears streamed down her cheeks.  She remembered those first weeks, after she had to run away from home.  They'd been horrible.  "Being hurt and alone like that, waking up and not knowing where you are and with just strangers, it's awful.  I don't wanna leave him like that!  I wanna stay!  Put me /down/!"[/color]