Reaching my hand into the drawer, I felt around until my hand came into contact with the metal hilt. My fingers curled around the handle instinctively. I gripped the handle so hard it hurt. I could feel the tendons in my wrist snap as my knuckles turned white. I couldn't let him do that to her again. I just couldn't. I had to protect her. I couldn't just stand there still and do nothing forever. I had to act. I winced at the slight sound of the blade dragging against the wooden bottom of the drawer. Although it was more like a sibilant hiss, it sounded more like a large grating sound in my ears. My heart was pounding and my ears were ringing. I could feel my hand holding the blade tremble as I slowly drew it out of the drawer and held it to my side. I had to steel myself for my confrontation. I couldn't hide in the shadows any longer. I had to do something...anything. I couldn't be a bystander anymore. I couldn't bear that pain again. I didn't want it to be all my fault again. [Note: This is a collaborative work]