One thing you don't do, even if you fuck up the first thing you don't do by getting involved in the first place--is make promises. He's fucked for that first one, he's still dripping lake water from his clothes and hefting her up to settle in his arms.

But it's such a small thing; it's a walk, despite all the things that could go wrong along the way.

"I promise, we'll get you there soon."