Feathers That Bleed

by Sana Khatri

“I guess even the strongest of minds have their limit, huh?” “Every human being does.” “True.” He smiles ruefully. “But, being one of the shoulders for her to lean on today was draining. And trust me, I’m not complaining; I’m here for her whenever she needs me. But I gave her all I had, and now I feel kind of…empty. And let me tell you somethin’: it’s a scary fucking feeling, especially when I’ve got people relying on me. I can’t zone out or lose focus; I simply can’t switch off.” “But you can,” I argue. “And you should, Dorran. I understand you’ve got a duty towards your family, but you’ve also got a necessary obligation to yourself. If the very foundation of an empire weakens, then it’s only a matter of time before the rest of it comes tumbling down. And that’s exactly what you are to your crew – the fucking kernel. Don’t be afraid to step back when you need to, because every once in a while, you do need the space, even when you think you don’t.” His throat bobs as he swallows. “It’s not something I’m used to.” “Then don’t make it a habit,” I tell him. “Take a break only when you feel like you seriously can’t handle shit.”