Salamis

 "Now is not the time to back down,"

he says. "Now is the time to slay the enemy. Don't give up the battle."

I stare out the window

and the misery of it all

trickles through my veins.

Paralyzing ice.

I'm dying.

No. I will not end this way.

Come ON, Katelyn,

he's speaking your language!

I realize that hopelessness creeping in is not the same as

Hope creeping out.

I still have hope.

I still have fight in me.

Deep.

Deep, but there.

This is a battle.

Pick up your sword.