[It would have been a lie to say Iris didn't flinch a little at that look. The woman couldn't have been that much older than her, if at all, and they were nearly the same size...and yet, it still affected Iris far more than she would have liked to admit.]

I would never do anything that would cause anyone else to get hurt. I swear.

At worst...if I did collapse...whoever I was with could still run, and I would remain protected, even if unconscious. And I can't just sit by and do nothing. Not when I actually have the chance to do something right for once....

[For once.]

[The look on her face...the emotions pouring out of her...waves of guilt, sadness, regret, and--most notably--fear. Though the fear wasn't for herself, but for those she had met in the city and come to care for in her own way. It wasn't as strong as the other emotions, but it was her primary motivator at the moment. What was driving her to keep going, despite her current physical condition.]