“No…” I whisper while watching mom wince in pain, trying to process what just happened until I notice the blood dripping down to her left foot to kiss the floor.

Polinel shot mom’s leg and is now wiggling from my grasp.

I let her go, not like I had the choice not to since I’m now scrambling to mom, kneeling in front of her and pressing my hands on her wound.

“So you do care,” I hear Polinel comment with a chuckle, but I’m too busy tearing a piece of my clothing and wrapping it ...