Fear

I always thought I had gotten used to fear.

I was aware of it when ever I faced a Bot, but it had to be forever pushed down, knocked aside and ignored. Otherwise, there was no way you could run at them, beat them back, kill and destroy them.

Now though...

The pellet machine faced me. It grinded as it started up. Sleek, metal and shiny.

My breath hitched and caught in my throat.

My mind was completely blank.

No teleporting out of this one.

No running away. Its sweep would get me left right and centre.

No defending myself. I would be ripped to shreds.

Something clunked inside of it. The nozzle was vibrating.

I hear a faint scream, muffled as if it were on the other side of a wall.

A force slammed into me - I crashed to the ground, instinctively curling up tight on my side! Pressure and weight wrapped around my back, then shuddered. The pellets were stabbing out of the machine.

A whimper escaped me, the body behind me jerking and twitching as it was hit.

“It’s alright,” A voice breathed into my ear, arms tightened around my middle.

“Rosa!?” I gasped back, feeling her shake and twist behind me, the pellets striking her.

She shielded me from their deadly blows.

“I got you Heth,” She breathed again, wincing. She clasped one of my hands in hers comforting, “I got you.” She repeated.

Staring out across the fighting ground I saw the ground exploding as the metal balls were driven into it, earth and the little grass flying.

“You’ll have horrible bruises.” I whispered, my breath shuddery as the pellets rammed into her skin, making her body jump to and fro, but she held tight onto me, keeping me safe.

“But unlike you I won’t get ripped to shreds.” She winced.

I laughed shakily, “N-n-no need to get smart.” I jibbed, my voice stuttering in fear. I felt my body shaking in fright.

“I won’t let them hit you Heth.” She whispered softly into my ear, squeezing my clasped hand.

“...I know...”

I squeezed back.

Sometimes the fear couldn’t be ignored. Sometimes it took you over; when your worst nightmare became a reality, making you curl up and whimper like a small child.

But sometimes, there was a friend to lend a hand. And hold you tight.

To protect you.

To save you.