This was supposed to be a fun family trip. By the end, there was no one I loved left in this godforsaken world. Now I’m alone in it.

Looking back on what happened, I find myself thankful. I’m still breathing, walking, living, loving. All the things someone may want. I even have things not everyone has like sight, smell, and feeling pain. Pain is something I have plenty of that I can choose to share. But I’m selfish, I can’t share my pain with anyone. No one can have a gram of it. That is until I found her.

Sitting across from me is a dainty girl not much older than me. I only saw part of her face the night before due to the darkness. But now her face was clear, her body visible and beautiful, and mine broken and scarred. Moments before, her eyes darted back and forth constantly and her body shook nervously. Any food or drink turned to vomit in minutes; almost making me vomit a few times myself. But now, she sits there upright and quietly asleep. I, on the other hand, lay half-naked, broken from the torso out, and unable to speak for fear of waking miss sleeping beauty. I don’t know what to do. I might as well have died too. I shouldn’t have thought that. The girl shifted and began rubbing her eyes. The mess is only going to get messier from here.

She yawns. “Did you say-” the girl yawns again. “Oh man. Did you say something Blake?”

Everything about her pisses me off. Her looks, her luck, and her naivete. “No, don’t worry about it. I’m fine for now, thanks.” I try to pull off a half-ass smile, but only end up halfway between a grin and the Joker with a broken jaw. The stitches began to give way and the taste of blood was once again the usual.

The girl panics and reaches for a towel. “H-here. Let me help clean you up.”

“I'm fine,” I reply attempting to refuse her help. She keeps at it and I eventually give up.

“Just let me help. It's the only thing I can do now.” Her eyes start to well up again and whimpering ensues. Tears began to flow. “It's the only- only thing I can-”

I reach for her hand, pull her close to me, and look into her eyes. “Thank you. You've been nothing but help. Don't forget that.”

She begins to cry uncontrollably, tears keep flowing, but she keeps trying to keep it in.

“Come here,” I continue. She leans on me and I hold her. “You're a hero to me Elizabeth. You got me and I got you. It's time for you to get some real rest. I may not have everyone anymore, but I have you.”

We are mere centimeters away. Our faces were almost touching. We closed our eyes and tried to kiss. We ended up headbutting each other and laughing.

“I guess I can sleep here?”

I laugh. “Where else are you gonna find a bed? I'm not moving, but I'm making room. We'll have to share and I don't mind sharing, especially with you.”

Liz smiles and I respond in kind. For the rest of my recovery, she visits me every day. And I try to keep her company and happy.

When you think all is lost, look for what you have and what you have gained. Sometimes all you can do is be happy with what you have now and the bonds you build next.