Fair.

The helicopter winding down behind them and the great bridge across the desert stretching ahead, Aella asked; “So the arena is this way?”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t get you closer.”

“I’m very grateful you took me this far.”

“Well good luck Aella, I’m sorry but you will have to be on your own from here, I am going to go back and be with my husband before the next event.”

Mrs Irfan turned back to the helicopter, but before she climbed in she felt Aella wrap her arms around her waist.

“I’m sorry.”

A tear rolled down Mrs Irfan’s cheek.

“Don’t be.” She wiped away her tear. “Aella… are you going to fight?”

“No.”

it was no use, Mrs Irfan had too many tears to wipe away, she turned and Aella and Mrs Irfan hugged completely.

–

Mrs Irfan fired up the helicopter as Aella set off down the bridge. She allowed herself more tears before setting off, it was painful to lose Claire, and now to lose another child so close to her, who she babysat for, who played with her baby, who was Claire’s friend. Mrs Irfan felt the world was losing all of its good children.

Eventually she lifted off, she didn’t expect a pacifist to win the tournament, and she wanted to be with her husband in the time before the world changed.