'Tank'

My dad loves me.

My mom too but.  She says that I am slow.  Because there is no more heat.  They tell me she is dead now and.  Dad too but I don't.  Believe them.  I can feel them. Here.   In my....heart.

It hurts to...think.  To remember.

Why am I so cold?

Salimah takes care of me she. Says.  I am good and...strong.  She loves me.  Her eyes are so sad.  So big and so sad.  Especially when she looks at. Me.  She says I could be...more.  But I am good now.  They say I am useful, and a good boy.

I lift things.

I lift things and I put them down.  Sometimes.  I lift people.  Salimah says they.  Are dead and...there is no point.  To lift them.  But I like to.  I like to bury them.  The rats eat. Them if I don't.  Heroes deserve a good....when. When you put them in the ground.  What...what is that word?

It's so cold.

Salimah doesn't.  Like it when they call me...Tank.  But I do.  People call you. Nicknames when they like.  You.  I want them to.  Like me.  I am a good boy.  One time, a man was waving a.  Gun.  At everyone.  He wanted to....hurt them but.  But I love them.  So I put his head....in my hands.

I have very big hands.

The gun....hurts.  Like a sting.  I felt...warm.  When it happened.  Warm ran all down my.  Side.  The others cried. I didn't understand why because.  I loved the warm.  But it's gone now.  They said the warm would kill me.

How can warm kill?

Salimah is going.  I can.  Tell.  Because she is stocking....food.  Little bits. Here and there.  So no one else...will starve.  I know everyone.  Thinks I am...stupid.  But I know what.  She is doing.  I am going to go...with her.  My skin can. Look like the ground.  A mountain.  Will follow her.

A mountain.  Will protect her.