“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered.

Annabel just kept crying, silent tears streaking down her face. The earthquake had collapsed the entire house, and left dirt coating every bit of skin on her. Emergency responders weren’t too far off now, and I knew she would be okay.

“I promise, you’ll be okay.”

I wasn’t in pain, beyond the feeling of not being able to breathe, how my surroundings didn’t feel quite real, and how my skin burned in the sun.

“Maybe not today, but you’ll get past this. You’ve always been stronger than you know.”

I tried to wipe the tear tracks from her face, but it was no use.

“It’s going to be okay,” I whispered, wishing I could cry. “Look at me, love.”

She looked up, eyes far off behind me.

Somewhere far away from this broken little home, and me lying before her.

“I love you.”

I faded as the first emergency responder came to pick up the sole survivor of the house.