"And why am I even bothering with this?" he asked no one in particular, "Why am I being dragged along like this? Is this what happiness feels like? Is this what my dreams are about? Does everyone deserve to be happy? Is there someone waiting for me wherever I go? Should I stop looking for them? Should I give up on them? Am I just destined to remain alone forever?"
He shook his head.
"No. I refuse to do that to myself. I cannot give up on them. I must stay strong. I cannot allow myself to break down. I'm stronger than that. It' s impossible."
His grip tightened on the chains of the swing.
"No matter how much I hurt, I will not give up. I'll never surrender to despair. Not even if I'm forced to become a cripple. But at least I'll still be alive, so there's at least that."
Suddenly, as i
