Without going into any relevant detail…

It is a sad, but important, moment when you realize that, no matter what you do to protect someone, no matter what you do to stand up for them, to root for them, to kick some ass on their crippled behalf, you will never be able to keep them from feeling broken due to the actions of someone else.

It is a little liberating.

And it is tragic.

Sometimes there is no way to be a hero in a situation like this. Even if you behave as one, you do not spare anyone from their pain.