Sunbeam Lair vicariously I live while the whole world dies

She coaxed him—he hesitated only a moment before sinking to the ground, allowing himself to sink into her arms—his face pressed to her chest and taking solace only in the rhythm of her heartbeat. 

The silence stretched—his mind a painful back noise. But then: I think I can see why the kids like being held like this, he offered—if only to sober the moment. 

He shifted, propping himself up for a moment, looking down to study her features. What do we think is worse… Finding my eldest daughter there… or not finding her at all?

Unanswered questions. There were so many. He had failed as a father far too many times to count—and the impending doom of this next failure hung heavy over him.