"Eric please, I'm pleading earnestly. Please." Her lips quivered and her mouth dried up. How could it be?
He placed his hand on hers. "You are not to blame. We both slipped." She began to shake her head. "Beth. Bethany, look at me." Beth mustered up enough courage to do so. His bloodied face stared back at her; the wound on his forehead was yet to stop. "I know how you love to think the world is facing its entire problem because you exist in it," he rasped, "but this–" he groaned. "This is not your doing. I would have done anything to see you safe."
"And you did. And you did." She agreed. But this would not have been if she had not wished to see the sunrise on the hill. Why did she ever feel that the hill was special? As a last resolve, she tried again. "Help! Please help!!" Her voice fell. "Somebody. Anybody. Help us." The tears fell on the back of her hand. There was no one.
Eric smiled and groaned. "Save up your strength little sister for the climb down." A low, guttural sound came from him. "This was not the morning I planned for you." He coughed. "Forgive me."
She gasped and dragged. How could he even think of apologizing? She stopped sobbing and cleared her throat. "What should I do?"
He squeezed her hand weakly, breaking her heart further. "I'm cold."
Beth swallowed and gave her all to keep the tears at bay for he needed her. Her brother needed her. She lay herself down beside him on the cold grass, still holding his hand. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't be." They laid there in silence. The sun was still far away but Beth could already feel the warmth it brought. At the least, her brother would be warm. Eric's breathing got heavier by the passing moments and all she could do was listen. After a moment, his voice came in a whisper. "Remind mother and father of my love for them." Beth bit down on her lips to not sob, squeezing his hand. She didn't want to interrupt. "Ask Gwen to forgive me for not fulfilling my promise to her. And tell Lucy that I'm sorry. She always wanted a brother." Then he laughed, and groaned immediately. "I suppose I'm breaking a lot of promises today." When he lifted his hand slowly to ruffle her hair, Beth exploded. She couldn't restrain herself anymore. "And tell Beth not to blame herself and to always remember that I love her."