standing room only [benchwarmers vs epa, day 3]

When Wolf tugs on his arm to go, it feels as if she's pulling his soul out from his body. He feels intangible, raw, a boy paralyzed by his own fear. It's impossible to miss the crumpled form of Mac slumped against Jack's shoulder, eyes struggling to stay open and head lolled to the side, and he can also see Jimmy Garner bleeding out on the floor just a few feet away. The wound he is clutching looks fatal, caused by Jackson's blade.

Emerson remembers meeting the boy only days ago, the sympathy he felt towards their similar upbringing, two namesake tributes trying to make their own way through the world. Jimmy had only been fourteen, a year younger than himself. And now here he is, breathing his final breaths in front of him. Fifteen years to live had seemed cruel, but then there's this.

His father's wisdom echoes to him across the void: someone will always have it worse than you.

But the idea of feeling grateful for Jimmy's death makes him feel like he's going to hurl, and as much as he wants to feel shaken by Jack's killing blow, he cannot fault his friend for trying to defend his allies. He had been too late to save Mac, and was now shouldering the weight of their dying companion, but the lion tamer pressed on despite the tragedy. He managed to save two of his three allies as he cleared a path to the exit. Even with all this loss, the scent of rust lingering in the air, that has to count for something.

Wolf's fingers pull on him once more, and he sputters. "But Mac," he doesn't know what to say, heartbeat drumming in his ears, hands shaking and lips trembling. "We can't just leave him. He's not dead yet." Barely, yes, but even a fallen bird writhing on the dirt is deserving of mercy. So long as there is pain, and heartbreak, the vessel is still alive. He doesn't want to leave Mac to face the unknown in the quiet, buzzing dark of an elevator shaft.

"Jack, we're right here. Let us help." He is nowhere near as strong as the others, but he rushes to join Jack in carrying their ill-fated friend. If Wolf wants to go and run ahead, he cannot blame her, but walking away from this is something he could never forgive himself for. Even glancing once more at Jimmy's collapsed form tugs at his heartstrings, makes him falter, but he draws in a big breath and locks eyes with Jack. His hand draws circles along Mac's back, trying to comfort even knowing it's pointless.

"You're not alone. I'm not going anywhere."