He was right, right about the fact that the world was heading in an up direction. Humanity already hit rock bottom with the outbreak, not that she knew what that was like, but it’s only inevitable that people begin to grow. He just didn’t know how to accept that, because she hasn’t seen a change in all her years on this hell. No one strived to make that difference, all they did was rely on those who swore to protect them. That wasn’t right, that wasn’t surviving, as far as she was concerned that was cowarding.<br/><br/>She knelt down next to him, sitting on her knees in the sand of the shore. She could taste the salt as she breathed in the ocean air, her long waves blowing in the breeze. She never came down here, not really, but whenever she could sneak away she adored the coast. It was beautiful, perhaps the only truly beautiful thing left in her world.<br/>“I think it’s unfair that the world relies on Striders to keep them safe, to keep them going. Nothing against you, I couldnt Understand what you must do on a daily basis but... how can people expect to grow when they don’t even grow themselves? It’s nice to have someone there just in case, you know? But to rely on them, and depend on them for survival? I just... I want to be capable on my own, if that makes any sense. These people don’t know how to live, they barely know how to survive.” As she spoke, she scrubbed the blood from her hands. At first, it was gentle as her fingers glided over her skin, but she became rougher with her movements as she continued. “People die because of it, and no one does anything about it.” Her voice wavered in the slightest, but she pushed it aside.<br/><br/>After she had managed to frantically rid herself of her brother’s blood, the small puddle now tinted red, she fell back from her knees, her legs stretched in front of her as she shook her head. “I’ve just always felt so out of place here, but no one will teach me, I mean no one knows enough to teach anything.” She sighed heavily, looking up to him. “What made you become a strider, if you don’t mind me asking?”