Note: [b][u]Reading this part of the story may give you the feels. You have been warned.[/b][/u] “What were you thinking?!” Shin yelled at me, as I sat on my bed. We were back at the camp, and Shin was not pleased at what I had done. “It’s not like what I did was that bad.” I replied, with a hint of sass. “’Not that bad?’ You used a gun that I told you not to use, you stole and wrecked a Sparrow, and you got into a fight with a warlord!” “Yeah, and?” “You could’ve been killed! You don’t have a Ghost like us Guardians, and you were lucky that Alec didn’t either!” “I could’ve been, but I wasn’t! You should’ve seen the look on Alec’s face when knocked off his helmet. That was priceless!” “Pari, you don’t understand!” Shin was getting more and more angry as this conversation went along. He slowed down before starting again. “Before Jaren Ward found me, my real parents had been killed by Fallen. I went through several adopted parents, but it wasn’t until Ward came to my town. He was the only person who really acted like a father to me. Jaren took me under his wing after he killed our town’s dictator. People started to join Ward and I as we began to hunt for Dredgen Yor. “One night, Jaren left camp alone. I was awake when he left, but I didn’t follow him. None of us did. Later we heard the sound of his hand cannon ring out, but it was then followed by another, unmistakable shot. We all knew we were close to finding him, but we never thought we were that close. The next day, I set out to find Jaren, the father I never had. I never found Jaren’s body, but I found his Ghost, still alive and well. It was true then. Dredgen Yor had killed Jaren Ward. “Pari, I’ve lost everything. My parents, all my adopted parents, and my mentor. When I found you in those bushes on Dwindler’s Ridge, and as I listened to what you said, I saw a chance to be to you what Jaren was to me.” Shin kneeled down, and clasped my hand with both of his. “Pari, you’re like my daughter. You’ve kept giving me a reason to do what I’ve been doing. If you had been killed, then I wouldn’t be able to keep doing this.” Shin’s story brought tears to my eyes. I had heard from many people in our posse that Shin had cared for me, but I didn’t understand how much he did until now. I realized that he was like my father. That was why he only let me fight the Daybreakers from the scout group, that was why he didn’t plan on my going with him to kill Alec, and that was why he was so upset at me for having done so. I leaned over, and embraced him. As he hugged back, I choked out the words, “I’m so sorry, Shin. I never knew…” “It’s o.k., Pari.” Shin replied. “And I’m sorry, too. I have been a little over protective lately, trying to keep the first promise I made to you. Remember this, though. I will always be here for you. You are my child, Pari. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I love you, dear.” “I love you, too, Dad.” That was the first time, I had ever called Shin my dad, and it wouldn’t be the last, either.