paying the price

M  A   E    A I talked to God to no avail Said, "If you won't save me, please don't waste my time." She drank the water gratefully, doing what she could to rid herself of the taste of combat and illness... but it lingered like a ghost åt the back of her throat, coiled up amidst memories like a black snake, ready to strike at any time. "There were" she contradicted Vai, speaking easier now but still in a hoarse whisper. "Roana and Lucas, Rory, Jigano... Amalia. Sam and... and others I didn't recognize. I saw.. some of them came out again but.." Trying to remember was a struggle. Her mind har been hazy, full of toxic smog and lack of air, addled by pain and shock. If no one else har come here then they would all still be back there, back by the Spire. Why? What were they doing, lingering behind? "It all went wrong. Should never have gone..."