Here's the first in a series of one-shots I've decided to put up here. The two characters are from my other series: By the Fire's Light, except many many years later. If you'd like me to continue, please let me know, and please read my other stories too! Reviews and ratings are so very welcomed (I haven't gotten very many on anything). Thanks!

Broken

If he wanted to cause chaos, destruction, he was succeeding, for my mind was turmoil; it was a series of meaningless words trying to string together to form coherent thoughts and failing. My mind was in disarray; I was going insane.

If he wanted to shatter my heart, he was succeeding, for it was being rained upon by relentless, merciless blow after blow. It seemed it was all I could do to keep it beating as shock reverberated through my body, sending tremors into my being, my very soul.

If he wanted my breath to escape my lungs, he was succeeding, for they were being hammered carelessly as I fought for air that was necessary only in my thoughts. No more than a gasp at a time filled my chest as I fell against the wall.

If he wanted to cause the first true panic I had seen in years, he was succeeding, for I had gone numb, my senses evading correct function, my mind lost of ideas, my body wanting to shut down.

“You need to be rational, Taran. We need to calm down and not be careless.” My brother’s voice seemed to haunt my ears, seemed to mock my distress. “For Elias. Do what he needs you to.”

Words spilled out of my mouth frantically, hysterically. I was pacing. “He took my son; I need to find him, Ren. I need to-” I cut myself off, looking away. “I can’t. I’m not strong enough.”

If he wanted me broken, he was succeeding, for my will was destroyed, my hope and faith tossed aside without thought. I was shattering to the point of no repair.

Then my twin was trying to fix me, right me. He shook my shoulders, shocked me with words.

“Don’t you dare say that! You have been through more shit than anyone here! Your will hasn’t left you a single time, even though there were plenty situations where it could have- should have! So don’t you dare say you’re not strong enough, not when you’re one of – if not the – strongest person here.” His look was so sincere, so determined, his existence my only lifeline. I grabbed it and held on, staring at my brother, my anchor to the only sanity I had left.

“Okay.”