The Dark and Cruel Truth

At the sound of Ercilia's shaky breaths, Meir gathers the will to look up. 

The first thing he sees then is the expression of shock and horror on her face. It didn't stay for too long, however. The woman immediately schools her features to make herself appear cool and assertive. It wasn't enough to deceive him, though. 

Meir can tell that Ercilia is genuinely upset. 

Her initial reaction stood out to him more than the next one. She really didn't want that – certainly, she didn't want to kill someone in front of a child. But she's acting like she's fine with it. 

The situation had forced her to, and it was riding him guilty – because he knew that she only did it to protect him. 

His feet moves before his mind does, launching himself towards Ercilia like it's instinct. Meir wraps her in a hug, and in the process, cages her gun to the side of her chest.