Never-Ending Tragedy

Never-Ending Tragedy
Lilieth 
I can't stop thinking about that precise moment when Corey risked his life to save me from the blade Wenton threw in my direction. 
I would've been dead if he hadn't done that, yet I wish he hadn't, because right now, there's a high chance he'll never wake up. 
Deo is inconsolable and she hasn't left his side for a second. The healer managed to get the blade out, but it severed a part of his spinal cord, and he's burning up. Her words were laced with hope as she told us he'd most likely make it, but her eyes told a different story. 
And even if he wakes up, there's a chance he's never going to walk again. 
Whenever I think about Wenton, I have all these regrets. I should've killed him when I had the chance. This wouldn't have happened if I'd shot that arrow and didn't care about the woman he was holding a knife to. 
But after the attack, she came to me and thanked me for saving her life as she held clean bandages to her neck, and I felt terrible for wishing I had let her be killed by Wenton. 
Everyone else is well—Cadeon and Timmon are unharmed, and most of the Emberborns weren't hurt. But more non-fighting Omega-borns were targeted, meaning that innocent lives were lost. 
I'm starting to become demotivated. How long will this war take? If we're the majority, then why do they keep targeting us and winning? Because they're cowards and we refuse to invade their homes and attack them? When Timmon burned the house he grew up in, he didn't target the building itself, meaning that people had more than enough time to leave before the fire spread. 
I put my hands together and pray. Right now, that feels like it's all I can do. I pray for Corey, who doesn't deserve what's happening to him because he's the best brother in the world. I pray for Mom, and yes, Golen too. They have to make it back here safely. 
And Anice...
I open my eyes abruptly, refusing to think about her. It's impossible for me to pity her without feeling like I'm betraying everyone who got hurt because of her. But Wenton's words are haunting me. There's a high chance he only said them to wound me, but I find that unlikely. 
Wenton's not a liar. He's an animal, a cruel one at that, but he wouldn't have lied about something like that. He spoke with so much glee in his eyes. 
I don't know how it's possible for someone to have so much cruelty in their mind and heart. 
Deo walks out of the room. I rise from my position on the floor, and Cadeon pushes himself off the wall to give her his full attention. Taking my hand in his, we move closer to her. 
"Anything?" I ask hopefully. If he could just wake up like he did in the field, I'd be so happy. That would be a great sign. 
But Deo shakes her head and my hopes are shattered once more. "Goddess, Lili, I don't even know what to make of this. I don't feel him through the bond. It's like he's not there."
Her words make me inhale sharply. "Please don't say that. Don't say that, Deo."
"I have to be honest. I can't lie to myself here, right?"
I step toward her and wrap my arms around her. Cadeon says, "We won't lose hope. I'm sure he'll wake up. The blow was a dangerous one, but he's strong. I've not known him for long, but I admire his fighting spirit. He'll pull through. I know it."
Deo thanks him in a low voice and hugs me tighter. Then, she takes a step back and wipes her nose with her sleeve. "I'll go back inside. I'll—"
Her face contorts suddenly and her hand flies to her belly. I grab her arm as she slowly sinks onto the floor. "De0? What's wrong? By the goddess, what's the matter?"
"I don't know," she grits out, panting. "My belly. I don't...it hurts."
"Cadeon, help me take her to our room," I plead. Together, we carry her to my bed, and then Cadeon rushes out of the room to call a healer. I kneel beside her and take her hands in mine. 
"What's wrong? What are you feeling?"
"It hurts," she cries. 
"How badly? Were you hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt as much. There was a cramp but..."
She trails off and her eyes widen. Then, she rises and right there on the spot, pulls her pants down. 
I see a spot of blood on her panties and my heart sinks. Deo cries harder, and by the time the healer arrives,  we don't need her diagnosis.
She lost the baby. 
We're both lying on the bed and I hold her close, refusing to let go. My heart's absolutely shattered, and I can't begin to imagine how Corey will react when he wakes up and learns the truth. We haven't had a chance to celebrate this as a family, but I know he'll be as crushed as we are. 
This is a tragedy. How are we supposed to survive this war? At this point, it's a never-ending nightmare. We can't keep taking this. It's problem after problem. We're not catching a break. 
Is this what it's like to fight for what's right? Do we have to suffer more than the average person? Is that why it's so much easier to keep your head low and not fight back?
We didn't have much before, but we were happy. Close. I wish we went back to that all the time. This new world we're fighting for...how are we supposed to enjoy it when these events have changed us irrevocably?
Will we even win? Is this winning?
"He was so happy," Deo sobs. "You had to see him. We were even discussing baby names when the attack happened, Lili. Why? Why did this have to happen?"
I kiss her forehead. "I'm so sorry, Deo."
"I can't lose them both," she wails. "I can't. I refuse to live without him. I won't."
"Let's not speak this way. He'll wake up. I know it."
I hold her for what feels like hours. I wish I could take her pain away, or do more, at least. Never have I ever felt this useless before. Everything's out of my hands. There's nothing I could do to truly help even if I wanted to. 
Once Deo's asleep, I decide to get up and find out if there's any good news concerning my brother. Unfortunately, I don't find the healer or anyone else. The corridor is empty. Cadeon's gone. I open the door to Corey and Deo's room, and inch closer to his bed. His body's covered in sweat, and he's shaking slightly. Crying, I place my hand over his lightly. 
"Please, Corey," I whisper. "Come back to us. Dammit, this family needs you. What are we supposed to do without you?"
It's all Anice's fault. All of it. 
After a while, I leave his room again, and I come across Mom. The sight of her here, in the middle of the corridor, makes me gasp and rush toward her. I sob as soon as our bodies collide, and she holds me close while rubbing my back. 
"Mom," I cry. I can barely get the words out. 
"It's alright," she says against my hair. "I'll go check on Corey and I'll be back, alright? Wait for me here. Wait for me."
She leaves my side and I watch her disappear into Corey's room. I stand rubbing my arms, letting the tears fall. My eyes feel gritty and swollen. 
Then, from somewhere down the hall, I hear someone say my name softly. 
My head snaps around, and my breath catches. 
Anice.