Madoka's hand moved into his own, and Maru took it and curled his fingers around hers. He waited for her to say what she wanted to say and a slight look of sadness crossed his eyes for a moment. She was strong... Why couldn't she see that? And why couldn't others?

He returned that little squeeze of his hand with a gentle one of his own, and a nod. "We go now."

Without looking back, hand still in Madoka's, he took the lead for once. Part of him wanted to just scoop her up and get out of there as fast as hos feet could take them, but he walked.