EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU

The bones in Elias's fingers creaked as he held off the leopard's maws from sinking into his throat. Even with the khanjar in his grasp, Elias could not take advantage of its sharp blade for it was mushed between Elias's hands and the leopard's face.

The beast would squirm its massive face as it looked for a gap in Elias's defenses. It was pushing forward in hopes that fatigue would eventually catch up to its prey, and it would make a mistake. One, irreparable.

Nothing had changed… Nothing had changed, he thought.

He had vowed to get rid of it.

The weakness,

The fear,

The patheticness…

He vowed to get rid of it all. ALL OF IT!

If he doesn't.. then how can he survive?

How can he survive until his father takes him home and shields him with his strong arms

How can he survive until his mother's gentle voice would chase away all the poisonous thoughts eating at his mind.

.

.

.

But,