"Why?" he asked.

So I told him.

Everything.

When I was done, he said nothing, and a grand silence swept between us, nothing but chirping crickets and rustling branches. Finally, he dug under his shirt and pulled off a chain over his head. Carefully, he slipped it over my head and let it rest around my neck.

"It's yours now."

It was all made of copper; tiny chain links and a stamped copper coin hanging from it. On it was the word "priceless". It was a Freedom Medallion.

I fingered it tenderly, and looked up at him in shock. "I can't. . ." I faltered, overcome by emotion, "I can't take this."

"You need it. A gift is an unwise thing to refuse."

He was right, as always.

"Thank you," I whispered, tearful and not caring that I was. I didn't know what else to say.

He smiled and extended a hand to press the top of my head to his lips. When he drew back, I saw he had tears in his eyes. I knew what this gift had cost him.

"Now run."

And I did.

The Medallion beat against my chest as I sprinted away. Thump-thump thump-thump thump-thump. A heart.

He had given his life.