Fear gripped her and she started praying that the fireworks would just stop, that someone, anyone would notice and make them just stop for his sake. She never wanted to hear another popping sound again at this point. Her stomach twisted with nerves as he didn't seem to get better, the sounds and lights still firing overhead.

Just as she felt tears brimming, on the verge of falling, he grabbed her hand, holding it tightly. She moved closer to him, that one act proving to her that he knew she was there, that he needed her and wasn't going to hurt her. She gripped his hand back, tightly, pressing her lips to his head, whispering soft assurances loud enough that he could hear. "Promise. I promise you'll be okay. I'm here, I'm here. I'll always be here."