Young Heroine

Just like that, and with countless pairs of eyes watching our every move, Dahlia's legs gave out from under her and she collapsed onto the ground.

My body moved instinctively as I rushed to hold her in my arms to break her fall. I almost cried out her real name in the midst of my panic. Dahlia's eyes were closed and her face did look slightly pale. Her small body felt so fragile in my arms and she also felt so light. At first it felt like time had stopped, and I could not see or hear anything except for Dahlia. It took me a short moment to figure out that she was probably just faking it. After all, what are the odds that she would mention fainting and then actually faint just a few seconds later?