so reckless you might start feeling; beth

[bethlehem]

I can get there on my own. you can leave me here alone.

He has never been prone to panic.
Granted, as a solitary man of simple means, he has never had much reason to panic.

In regards to the inner-workings of places like this, he is ignorant. He has no knowledge of the systems or the castes or the fact that sometimes warring kingdoms pluck children out of creeks and forests and spirits them away so that they might demand a ransom for them. Even if he knew to consider this as an option, he would not have bought it – their daughter would not have gone without a fight. Their daughter would have gone screaming and spitting. They would have heard her.

Adna presses her face into his neck and he briefly closes his eyes, trying to imagine every possible nook or cranny their daughter could have pressed herself into. She didn’t like the playground, she says, though he already knows. He nods, careful not to disturb her.

He hears her drag in a breath and he thinks it progress. If he can keep her from unraveling – even if he provides her with nothing else – he will have achieved something. Still, his worry tightens like a fist around his throat and he casts a glance toward the horizon.

“There are only so many places she could be,” he murmurs. “You’ve done a good job raising her, Adna. I guarantee that, wherever she is, she is not in danger.”

BETHLEHEM

I'm just tryin' to do what's right. oh, a man ain't a man unless he's fought the fight.