"I know!" It was not Alberto's voice, he knew that. Or was it? Maybe it was. Either way, being afraid clearly didn't keep Edward from sounding fed up with people saying stupid things, not that that was a surprise. "They'll kill me. Not you."

A laugh came out like a sob and then sounded more desperately fearful still in the end, as another wave of fear hit him. "Keep me safe! Please!" His face was wet. He touched it, his fingers trembling. Tears? Damn. He shouldn't be pathetic. But he could only whimper when he thought he saw a shadow move again. "Please, please, please, no!"