" Eli’s coming with us.” I hadn’t known until I said it. Silence. “You’re crazy,” Vick says. “There’s no way that kid will last until then.” “I know,” I tell Vick. He’s right. It’s only a matter of time before Eli goes down. He’s small. He’s impulsive. He asks too many questions. Then again, it’s only a matter of time for all of us. “So why keep him around? Why bring him along?” “There’s a girl I know back in Oria,” I say. “He reminds me of her brother.” “That’s not reason enough.” “It is for me,” I say. Silence stretches between us. “You’re getting weak,” Vick says finally. “And that might kill you. Might mean you never see her again.” “If I don’t look out for him,” I tell Vick, “I’d be someone she didn’t know, even if she did see me again. "

― Ally Condie , Crossed (Matched, #2)