Prolog

As I looked into her eyes, I knew what I had to do. I had to make everything right, and to do that, I had to give up what I loved most.

"Why?" Her voice shook. "Why must it be you?"

I took her hand in mine, my other one gently caressing her face. In a soft tone, I answered the question that has haunted my thoughts as well. "Because I am the only one who can. Everyone else is dead. It has to be me."

Her smaller, softer hand rested on top of the one I held against her cheek. Tears flowed from her eyes as she squeezed them shut. Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I just don't want to lose you again."