Russel's hesitantly opened his trembling hand. In his palm rested Noodle. He gently turned her from her side onto her back. The drummer brushed the hair away from her face, praying that she was alright. She was strong. Noodle could handle anything. . .

At first, she appeared to be sleeping, but Russ soon realized that her green eyes had faded to white. Noodle's arms rested by her side.

There wasn't a smile. There wasn't a "thanks, Russ". There wasn't any movement or sign of life. She was completely still. He looked down at the wound in her abdomen. The full realization and shock of what happened hit.

The giant closed his hand. He took a large breath of tarnished air and shook the island with a deafening cry.

It was like the El Mañana shoot all over again. This time, though, he knew what happened. He knew that she wasn't going to be okay. This time there was proof.

He wanted to hold his little girl like he had when she had stage fright. Like he had when she woke up with nightmares. He wanted to hug her like the morning before the accident, but he was eighty feet too tall. He couldn't help her. He could only grieve.

"Take care of her, Del."