[ WP ] I want you to close your eyes and pretend everything 's alright .

I sat in the chair and took a deep breath. It did nothing to calm me. 
 
 `` I want you to just relax.'' 
 
 That was the voice of my now closest friend. We had been through so much these past months. With the sudden upheaval of world order and those... *things*... attacking everyone in sight, I sure was glad to have her by my side. 
 
 My companion gently lifted my leg on to the cold steel of an upended barrel. Though she used a delicate touch, the pain was searing. It was the only option. 
 
 `` I want you to close your eyes and pretend everything's alright.'' 
 
 I closed my eyes and tried to remember a time when my biggest worry was running out of coffee on a Saturday morning or having to stay late at work and missing my favourite team's home game. I really took that shit for granted. 
 
 `` Bite this,'' my friend instructed as she put a folded, leather belt between my teeth. `` Are you ready?'' I responded with a muffled yes and bit down harder. 
 
 The blade of the hacksaw bit into my flesh and shin causing an explosion of pain. As my consciousness was fast fading, I had one last thought. *Even if I get out of this without a lethal infection, I will be forever hobbled and easy prey for those bastards. But who will she have if I do n't go on... *
