My exhaustion was taking over, and just as Dr. Karon reached us, I was beginning to doze off.

Theo let go of me, and Dr. Karon slapped a new pair of handcuffs over my wrists. “Nice try.â€?

I fell to the ground. “Get up,â€? he ordered.

“I… can’t.â€? I’d never been this tired in my entire life.

The amount of energy to build the wall wiped out most of what I’d had to even begin with.

“I’ll carry her,â€? Theo said, picking me up as gentle as he could. “It’s okay, it’s all going to be okay…â€? he whispered over and over again.

I fell asleep as we walked back to the car. With Theo carrying me like this, and Karon controlling me the way he did, I felt helpless.

Utterly helpless.

I forced myself to wake up as soon as we reached the hospital. Theo was still holding me in his arms.

“You’re awake,â€? he said with surprise.

“Theo, I’m so sorry, I-“

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. This is no one’s fault. And what you did back there was pretty awesome.â€?

“Thanks. It was… tiring though.â€?