[ a stranger's hands close around her own. the lack of pressure against her arm should provide some relief. no more scraping, no more seizing upon the sensitive, damaged skin of the brand to cause a wider wound.
but the pause just lets the pain set in. blood has smeared over her brand, almost black in the dim light. the burning sensation of the brand has nothing in common with the stinging ache that lances up her arm, radiating from the fresh injuries. she bites down tighter on the shirt, grimacing, pressing her forehead to her knees. she howls into the fabric.
if she succumbs to the pain now, she realizes, she won't finish. she yanks her arm back from him. spits out the fabric so she can growl back, ] Let go.
cw: blood (icon & text)
but the pause just lets the pain set in. blood has smeared over her brand, almost black in the dim light. the burning sensation of the brand has nothing in common with the stinging ache that lances up her arm, radiating from the fresh injuries. she bites down tighter on the shirt, grimacing, pressing her forehead to her knees. she howls into the fabric.
if she succumbs to the pain now, she realizes, she won't finish. she yanks her arm back from him. spits out the fabric so she can growl back, ] Let go.