The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
She was on the wall, all she had to do was jump down the other side out of the line of fire. But instead she reached down for him. “You can’t lift me. Jump!” But she didn’t go. She stayed. Fuck! Kyros growled, back pedaling away from the wall. A bullet whizzed past his head and hit the wall. “Shit!” He wanted to look back and see where Bateman was. But there was no time! He shifted his weight and ran for the wall, jumping up, his toes running up the wall. He grabbed the lip of the wall. Bullets started hitting the wall next to him. He heard a cry come from Essa even as he felt her hands grabbing his shoulders. Honestly he was pissed she hadn’t jumped like he told her to do, but he was glad too to have her help to get over the wall. She was right. His left arm was weak from the cut the bullet had left behind, he also had a couple shallow cuts on his stomach from the fights to get down the stairs. And he was a little light headed from blood loss. Shit. He got a leg over the wall, then the other. More bullets were flying at them. He wrapped his arms around her and threw them off the wall. No time to think. They needed to get a barrier between them and the shooters.
As they fell, he did try to twist his body so that he could take the brunt of the impact, but they still hit the ground awfully hard. Kyros groaned as his entire body was jarred from the impact.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
She was on the wall, all she had to do was jump down the other side out of the line of fire. But instead she reached down for him. “You can’t lift me. Jump!” But she didn’t go. She stayed. Fuck! Kyros growled, back pedaling away from the wall. A bullet whizzed past his head and hit the wall. “Shit!” He wanted to look back and see where Bateman was. But there was no time! He shifted his weight and ran for the wall, jumping up, his toes running up the wall. He grabbed the lip of the wall. Bullets started hitting the wall next to him. He heard a cry come from Essa even as he felt her hands grabbing his shoulders. Honestly he was pissed she hadn’t jumped like he told her to do, but he was glad too to have her help to get over the wall. She was right. His left arm was weak from the cut the bullet had left behind, he also had a couple shallow cuts on his stomach from the fights to get down the stairs. And he was a little light headed from blood loss. Shit. He got a leg over the wall, then the other. More bullets were flying at them. He wrapped his arms around her and threw them off the wall. No time to think. They needed to get a barrier between them and the shooters.
As they fell, he did try to twist his body so that he could take the brunt of the impact, but they still hit the ground awfully hard. Kyros groaned as his entire body was jarred from the impact.
She was on the wall, all she had to do was jump down the other side out of the line of fire. But instead she reached down for him. “You can’t lift me. Jump!” But she didn’t go. She stayed. Fuck! Kyros growled, back pedaling away from the wall. A bullet whizzed past his head and hit the wall. “Shit!” He wanted to look back and see where Bateman was. But there was no time! He shifted his weight and ran for the wall, jumping up, his toes running up the wall. He grabbed the lip of the wall. Bullets started hitting the wall next to him. He heard a cry come from Essa even as he felt her hands grabbing his shoulders. Honestly he was pissed she hadn’t jumped like he told her to do, but he was glad too to have her help to get over the wall. She was right. His left arm was weak from the cut the bullet had left behind, he also had a couple shallow cuts on his stomach from the fights to get down the stairs. And he was a little light headed from blood loss. Shit. He got a leg over the wall, then the other. More bullets were flying at them. He wrapped his arms around her and threw them off the wall. No time to think. They needed to get a barrier between them and the shooters.
As they fell, he did try to twist his body so that he could take the brunt of the impact, but they still hit the ground awfully hard. Kyros groaned as his entire body was jarred from the impact.
“Just hurry up!” she snapped back. She knew he was stronger and bigger and heavier - but he was going to have a hell of a time pulling himself up with only one good arm. She watched as he backed up and ran for the wall, readying herself to grab him. Then came the bullets. She was more scared for him than anything else. At least until she felt a blinding pain in her arm.
Essa couldn’t help but cry out as it ripped through her. Still she reached for him. She used her other arm as well, trying to grip his shoulders, trying to help him up. She didn’t even realize tears were streaming down her face all the while. It was as if her arm was numb and yet burning all at once. It was only once he reached the top that she realized how weak she felt, the urgent need fading at least a little, enough to let more of the pain in.
Thankfully he wrapped his arms around her, taking her over with him before she fell on her own accord. She was deadweight in his arms, but fortunately her small size made it easier for him to protect her with his own body. Still, she ached from the landing, even if that paled in comparison to the agony of her arm. She wanted nothing more than to curl into his chest and sob, but she knew that they weren’t really safe. Knew enough to still roll off him, groaning as she tried to avoid any weight on her now useless arm.
“Fuck,” she whimpered, wobbling as she tried to rise first to her knees and then to her feet. She felt like she was swaying in the breeze, trying to force her eyes open, even as she caught herself trying to lean against him. Her injured arm was hanging limply at her side even as the other hand automatically reached to put pressure on the wound. That only made her hiss in pain, recoiling her hand away instantly, only to see it red with blood again.
“Where to now, Ky?” she managed to ask, voice barely a whisper and thick with pain.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
“Just hurry up!” she snapped back. She knew he was stronger and bigger and heavier - but he was going to have a hell of a time pulling himself up with only one good arm. She watched as he backed up and ran for the wall, readying herself to grab him. Then came the bullets. She was more scared for him than anything else. At least until she felt a blinding pain in her arm.
Essa couldn’t help but cry out as it ripped through her. Still she reached for him. She used her other arm as well, trying to grip his shoulders, trying to help him up. She didn’t even realize tears were streaming down her face all the while. It was as if her arm was numb and yet burning all at once. It was only once he reached the top that she realized how weak she felt, the urgent need fading at least a little, enough to let more of the pain in.
Thankfully he wrapped his arms around her, taking her over with him before she fell on her own accord. She was deadweight in his arms, but fortunately her small size made it easier for him to protect her with his own body. Still, she ached from the landing, even if that paled in comparison to the agony of her arm. She wanted nothing more than to curl into his chest and sob, but she knew that they weren’t really safe. Knew enough to still roll off him, groaning as she tried to avoid any weight on her now useless arm.
“Fuck,” she whimpered, wobbling as she tried to rise first to her knees and then to her feet. She felt like she was swaying in the breeze, trying to force her eyes open, even as she caught herself trying to lean against him. Her injured arm was hanging limply at her side even as the other hand automatically reached to put pressure on the wound. That only made her hiss in pain, recoiling her hand away instantly, only to see it red with blood again.
“Where to now, Ky?” she managed to ask, voice barely a whisper and thick with pain.
“Just hurry up!” she snapped back. She knew he was stronger and bigger and heavier - but he was going to have a hell of a time pulling himself up with only one good arm. She watched as he backed up and ran for the wall, readying herself to grab him. Then came the bullets. She was more scared for him than anything else. At least until she felt a blinding pain in her arm.
Essa couldn’t help but cry out as it ripped through her. Still she reached for him. She used her other arm as well, trying to grip his shoulders, trying to help him up. She didn’t even realize tears were streaming down her face all the while. It was as if her arm was numb and yet burning all at once. It was only once he reached the top that she realized how weak she felt, the urgent need fading at least a little, enough to let more of the pain in.
Thankfully he wrapped his arms around her, taking her over with him before she fell on her own accord. She was deadweight in his arms, but fortunately her small size made it easier for him to protect her with his own body. Still, she ached from the landing, even if that paled in comparison to the agony of her arm. She wanted nothing more than to curl into his chest and sob, but she knew that they weren’t really safe. Knew enough to still roll off him, groaning as she tried to avoid any weight on her now useless arm.
“Fuck,” she whimpered, wobbling as she tried to rise first to her knees and then to her feet. She felt like she was swaying in the breeze, trying to force her eyes open, even as she caught herself trying to lean against him. Her injured arm was hanging limply at her side even as the other hand automatically reached to put pressure on the wound. That only made her hiss in pain, recoiling her hand away instantly, only to see it red with blood again.
“Where to now, Ky?” she managed to ask, voice barely a whisper and thick with pain.
The breath was knocked out of him, and ache in his back. “Damn. Shit. Fuck that hurt.” He groaned and cursed as he pulled himself to his feet. He took a few deep breaths and looked around, getting his bearings as he caught his breath. He looked to his bleeding arm, most of the blood hidden by the black of his jacket - but little trails of blood had reached his palm. Great. Just great.
‘Where to now, Ky?’
His brows knitted together. Her voice didn’t sound right. He turned to look at her, his grey eyes instantly finding the blood soaking her arm. “Oh shit.” He rushed to her as she swayed, catching her about the waist. The scream up on the wall. She’d been hit! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! He gripped her arm, carefully for she cried out in pain when he touched it. There was no exit wound, and there was a definite entry wound. The bullet was still inside! Shit! That was both good and bad. Voices on the other side of the wall made him look up from inspecting her arm. “Hey… hey hey, we gotta go. You gotta stay awake, princess. We gotta go.” He started hurriedly guiding her away from the wall, deeper into the trees and brush. He kept his strong arm around her waist, keeping her close to him, helping her to stay on her feet. He knew these woods like the back of his hand. He knew how to get them through it and to the road on the other side. But it would take some time. Maybe half an hour. Maybe more if Essa passed out. With them both bleeding, though, it was going to make it harder to cover their trail.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The breath was knocked out of him, and ache in his back. “Damn. Shit. Fuck that hurt.” He groaned and cursed as he pulled himself to his feet. He took a few deep breaths and looked around, getting his bearings as he caught his breath. He looked to his bleeding arm, most of the blood hidden by the black of his jacket - but little trails of blood had reached his palm. Great. Just great.
‘Where to now, Ky?’
His brows knitted together. Her voice didn’t sound right. He turned to look at her, his grey eyes instantly finding the blood soaking her arm. “Oh shit.” He rushed to her as she swayed, catching her about the waist. The scream up on the wall. She’d been hit! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! He gripped her arm, carefully for she cried out in pain when he touched it. There was no exit wound, and there was a definite entry wound. The bullet was still inside! Shit! That was both good and bad. Voices on the other side of the wall made him look up from inspecting her arm. “Hey… hey hey, we gotta go. You gotta stay awake, princess. We gotta go.” He started hurriedly guiding her away from the wall, deeper into the trees and brush. He kept his strong arm around her waist, keeping her close to him, helping her to stay on her feet. He knew these woods like the back of his hand. He knew how to get them through it and to the road on the other side. But it would take some time. Maybe half an hour. Maybe more if Essa passed out. With them both bleeding, though, it was going to make it harder to cover their trail.
The breath was knocked out of him, and ache in his back. “Damn. Shit. Fuck that hurt.” He groaned and cursed as he pulled himself to his feet. He took a few deep breaths and looked around, getting his bearings as he caught his breath. He looked to his bleeding arm, most of the blood hidden by the black of his jacket - but little trails of blood had reached his palm. Great. Just great.
‘Where to now, Ky?’
His brows knitted together. Her voice didn’t sound right. He turned to look at her, his grey eyes instantly finding the blood soaking her arm. “Oh shit.” He rushed to her as she swayed, catching her about the waist. The scream up on the wall. She’d been hit! Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck! He gripped her arm, carefully for she cried out in pain when he touched it. There was no exit wound, and there was a definite entry wound. The bullet was still inside! Shit! That was both good and bad. Voices on the other side of the wall made him look up from inspecting her arm. “Hey… hey hey, we gotta go. You gotta stay awake, princess. We gotta go.” He started hurriedly guiding her away from the wall, deeper into the trees and brush. He kept his strong arm around her waist, keeping her close to him, helping her to stay on her feet. He knew these woods like the back of his hand. He knew how to get them through it and to the road on the other side. But it would take some time. Maybe half an hour. Maybe more if Essa passed out. With them both bleeding, though, it was going to make it harder to cover their trail.
His cursing barely even registered. It wasn’t until he rushed over to her that she seemed to fully realize he was there at all. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and she folded into him easily. It was such a relief in that moment, just the simple act of leaning against him.“It’s not a big deal,” she murmured, the weakness of her voice nullifying her attempt to reassure him. “Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.” Her head felt light... fuzzy almost. Kinda like when she’d gotten a little drunk yesterday. But she definitely wasn’t drunk now.
He reached for her arm and she instantly cried out, even as she bit her lip to try and muffle the sound. He urged her to stay awake and move and she nodded quickly in reply. “I can do it. I’m okay. I’m okay,” she murmured in reply. She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes so she could see better, smearing blood on her face in the process. “I can do it, I’m okay,” she repeated again, trying to force some confidence in her voice.
She was not okay.
Still, she tried. She knew she never would have been able to keep going if not for him. The light seemed to burn her eyes, though the shade of the woods helped a little. As they moved quickly, she stumbled here and there, but he held her firmly to his side. Never was she more grateful for his strength than this moment - she could feel that he was the only thing keeping her upright. She did her best though, gritting her teeth and moving forward, trying to block the pain as best she could.
Mind over matter... or something like that. In theory.
They just had to keep moving. She could do it. She had to. It was literally life or death for both of them. Just a little further. Only a little further. She kept repeating it like a mantra. After a while she began to notice... a little further seemed to be lasting a lot longer. Of course, her awareness of time was pretty much nonexistent. She could only feel - and that feeling was mostly measured in pain.
“How much further?” she asked finally, already gasping for breath.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
His cursing barely even registered. It wasn’t until he rushed over to her that she seemed to fully realize he was there at all. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and she folded into him easily. It was such a relief in that moment, just the simple act of leaning against him.“It’s not a big deal,” she murmured, the weakness of her voice nullifying her attempt to reassure him. “Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.” Her head felt light... fuzzy almost. Kinda like when she’d gotten a little drunk yesterday. But she definitely wasn’t drunk now.
He reached for her arm and she instantly cried out, even as she bit her lip to try and muffle the sound. He urged her to stay awake and move and she nodded quickly in reply. “I can do it. I’m okay. I’m okay,” she murmured in reply. She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes so she could see better, smearing blood on her face in the process. “I can do it, I’m okay,” she repeated again, trying to force some confidence in her voice.
She was not okay.
Still, she tried. She knew she never would have been able to keep going if not for him. The light seemed to burn her eyes, though the shade of the woods helped a little. As they moved quickly, she stumbled here and there, but he held her firmly to his side. Never was she more grateful for his strength than this moment - she could feel that he was the only thing keeping her upright. She did her best though, gritting her teeth and moving forward, trying to block the pain as best she could.
Mind over matter... or something like that. In theory.
They just had to keep moving. She could do it. She had to. It was literally life or death for both of them. Just a little further. Only a little further. She kept repeating it like a mantra. After a while she began to notice... a little further seemed to be lasting a lot longer. Of course, her awareness of time was pretty much nonexistent. She could only feel - and that feeling was mostly measured in pain.
“How much further?” she asked finally, already gasping for breath.
His cursing barely even registered. It wasn’t until he rushed over to her that she seemed to fully realize he was there at all. She felt his arm wrap around her waist and she folded into him easily. It was such a relief in that moment, just the simple act of leaning against him.“It’s not a big deal,” she murmured, the weakness of her voice nullifying her attempt to reassure him. “Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.” Her head felt light... fuzzy almost. Kinda like when she’d gotten a little drunk yesterday. But she definitely wasn’t drunk now.
He reached for her arm and she instantly cried out, even as she bit her lip to try and muffle the sound. He urged her to stay awake and move and she nodded quickly in reply. “I can do it. I’m okay. I’m okay,” she murmured in reply. She tried to wipe the tears from her eyes so she could see better, smearing blood on her face in the process. “I can do it, I’m okay,” she repeated again, trying to force some confidence in her voice.
She was not okay.
Still, she tried. She knew she never would have been able to keep going if not for him. The light seemed to burn her eyes, though the shade of the woods helped a little. As they moved quickly, she stumbled here and there, but he held her firmly to his side. Never was she more grateful for his strength than this moment - she could feel that he was the only thing keeping her upright. She did her best though, gritting her teeth and moving forward, trying to block the pain as best she could.
Mind over matter... or something like that. In theory.
They just had to keep moving. She could do it. She had to. It was literally life or death for both of them. Just a little further. Only a little further. She kept repeating it like a mantra. After a while she began to notice... a little further seemed to be lasting a lot longer. Of course, her awareness of time was pretty much nonexistent. She could only feel - and that feeling was mostly measured in pain.
“How much further?” she asked finally, already gasping for breath.
‘Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.’
Despite the desperate situation, her attempt at humor brought a smile to Ky’s lips. This woman had spark, that was for sure. He’d started to dip his head, to kiss her. But he’d been interrupted by the sounds of pursuit.
Now they were running again. Well...hobbling really. He looked over his shoulder at her words, looking for a sign of the gunmen chasing them. Nothing. Maybe they had managed to out run them while they tried to get over the wall. Ten feet was quite the distance to scale. Likely they would have had to go around to the gate and circle back around the perimeter before they could try to pick up the trail. If that were the case, tKyros and Essa had a chance to get to safety. He turned his attention back to their path. “Not far, baby. Just stay with me,” he urged her, pulling her along a bit faster.
True to his word, a highway soon loomed in the distance, the sound of cars passing could be heard. He led Essa up to the side of the pavement where he released her and stepped out into the road. He pulled out his gun and stared down the next car coming their way. He didn’t move. He didn’t blink. Barely breathed - the gun in his hand hanging down by his side. The sedan came to a stop and the guy stepped out. The driver asked if everything was okay, is that blood. But his voice trailed off when he noticed the gun. Kyros stepped forward, reaching into his inside breast pocket to pull out a wad of hundred dollar bills. “Everything’s fine. And it’ll stay fine...if you give me your car. Collect whatever you need out of it. And go.” Ky held up the money, offering it out to the now scared man. “No need to call the police. No need to tell anyone. This is more than enough for a down payment on a new car.” The man was speechless. He stood frozen. Kyros pulled back the hammer on his pistol. The man heard the sound, and that spurred him. He nodded dumbly, started gathering a briefcase out of the car. He took the proffered money and stepped to the side of the highway. Kyros Went back to collect Essa, who seemed barely conscious. He scooped her up and deposited her in the passenger seat. Then he hopped into the car and sped off, leaving the previous driver on the side of the road unscathed.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
‘Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.’
Despite the desperate situation, her attempt at humor brought a smile to Ky’s lips. This woman had spark, that was for sure. He’d started to dip his head, to kiss her. But he’d been interrupted by the sounds of pursuit.
Now they were running again. Well...hobbling really. He looked over his shoulder at her words, looking for a sign of the gunmen chasing them. Nothing. Maybe they had managed to out run them while they tried to get over the wall. Ten feet was quite the distance to scale. Likely they would have had to go around to the gate and circle back around the perimeter before they could try to pick up the trail. If that were the case, tKyros and Essa had a chance to get to safety. He turned his attention back to their path. “Not far, baby. Just stay with me,” he urged her, pulling her along a bit faster.
True to his word, a highway soon loomed in the distance, the sound of cars passing could be heard. He led Essa up to the side of the pavement where he released her and stepped out into the road. He pulled out his gun and stared down the next car coming their way. He didn’t move. He didn’t blink. Barely breathed - the gun in his hand hanging down by his side. The sedan came to a stop and the guy stepped out. The driver asked if everything was okay, is that blood. But his voice trailed off when he noticed the gun. Kyros stepped forward, reaching into his inside breast pocket to pull out a wad of hundred dollar bills. “Everything’s fine. And it’ll stay fine...if you give me your car. Collect whatever you need out of it. And go.” Ky held up the money, offering it out to the now scared man. “No need to call the police. No need to tell anyone. This is more than enough for a down payment on a new car.” The man was speechless. He stood frozen. Kyros pulled back the hammer on his pistol. The man heard the sound, and that spurred him. He nodded dumbly, started gathering a briefcase out of the car. He took the proffered money and stepped to the side of the highway. Kyros Went back to collect Essa, who seemed barely conscious. He scooped her up and deposited her in the passenger seat. Then he hopped into the car and sped off, leaving the previous driver on the side of the road unscathed.
‘Just an itty bitty bullet wound. Normal mob stuff.’
Despite the desperate situation, her attempt at humor brought a smile to Ky’s lips. This woman had spark, that was for sure. He’d started to dip his head, to kiss her. But he’d been interrupted by the sounds of pursuit.
Now they were running again. Well...hobbling really. He looked over his shoulder at her words, looking for a sign of the gunmen chasing them. Nothing. Maybe they had managed to out run them while they tried to get over the wall. Ten feet was quite the distance to scale. Likely they would have had to go around to the gate and circle back around the perimeter before they could try to pick up the trail. If that were the case, tKyros and Essa had a chance to get to safety. He turned his attention back to their path. “Not far, baby. Just stay with me,” he urged her, pulling her along a bit faster.
True to his word, a highway soon loomed in the distance, the sound of cars passing could be heard. He led Essa up to the side of the pavement where he released her and stepped out into the road. He pulled out his gun and stared down the next car coming their way. He didn’t move. He didn’t blink. Barely breathed - the gun in his hand hanging down by his side. The sedan came to a stop and the guy stepped out. The driver asked if everything was okay, is that blood. But his voice trailed off when he noticed the gun. Kyros stepped forward, reaching into his inside breast pocket to pull out a wad of hundred dollar bills. “Everything’s fine. And it’ll stay fine...if you give me your car. Collect whatever you need out of it. And go.” Ky held up the money, offering it out to the now scared man. “No need to call the police. No need to tell anyone. This is more than enough for a down payment on a new car.” The man was speechless. He stood frozen. Kyros pulled back the hammer on his pistol. The man heard the sound, and that spurred him. He nodded dumbly, started gathering a briefcase out of the car. He took the proffered money and stepped to the side of the highway. Kyros Went back to collect Essa, who seemed barely conscious. He scooped her up and deposited her in the passenger seat. Then he hopped into the car and sped off, leaving the previous driver on the side of the road unscathed.
The smile he offered made her feel a little more at ease. For a moment, she thought he was leaning down to kiss her and she instinctively lifted her chin to meet him. Only he pulled away. She tried to follow his gaze, to guess what he'd heard or seen, but her awareness of her surroundings was minimal at best. It was hard to pay attention to anything outside of herself just now with her arm in its current state.
Then they were moving again, with Kyros supporting most of her weight. She leaned heavily against him, shuffling her feet as quickly as she could. Still, the effort was exhausting, even knowing that test would mean certain death. At least for Ky if not herself. "I'm with you, baby," she murmured in reply, repeating the affectionate term without even realizing it. "I can go a little longer."
Sure enough, they were at the wood's edge soon after. He left her by the side of the road and she instantly missed his presence as he stepped away. She felt herself swaying, lightheaded and weak. She wanted to lean against something, anything, but there was nothing there, and she wasn't about to risk walking on her own. Her fight to stay upright was enough that she barely noticed the exchange in the road.
The next thing she was truly aware of was being weightless as Ky scooped her up into his arms. She instantly curled into him, pressing her face to his chest and inhaling the now familiar scent. A small groan escaped her lips as he put her into the passenger seat - more from reluctance to pull away than from pain. Her eyes felt so heavy… When she opened them again, the car was in motion. Had it been a few seconds or minutes? She wasn't sure.
"Where will we be safe?" she asked softly. "You need medical treatment…"
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The smile he offered made her feel a little more at ease. For a moment, she thought he was leaning down to kiss her and she instinctively lifted her chin to meet him. Only he pulled away. She tried to follow his gaze, to guess what he'd heard or seen, but her awareness of her surroundings was minimal at best. It was hard to pay attention to anything outside of herself just now with her arm in its current state.
Then they were moving again, with Kyros supporting most of her weight. She leaned heavily against him, shuffling her feet as quickly as she could. Still, the effort was exhausting, even knowing that test would mean certain death. At least for Ky if not herself. "I'm with you, baby," she murmured in reply, repeating the affectionate term without even realizing it. "I can go a little longer."
Sure enough, they were at the wood's edge soon after. He left her by the side of the road and she instantly missed his presence as he stepped away. She felt herself swaying, lightheaded and weak. She wanted to lean against something, anything, but there was nothing there, and she wasn't about to risk walking on her own. Her fight to stay upright was enough that she barely noticed the exchange in the road.
The next thing she was truly aware of was being weightless as Ky scooped her up into his arms. She instantly curled into him, pressing her face to his chest and inhaling the now familiar scent. A small groan escaped her lips as he put her into the passenger seat - more from reluctance to pull away than from pain. Her eyes felt so heavy… When she opened them again, the car was in motion. Had it been a few seconds or minutes? She wasn't sure.
"Where will we be safe?" she asked softly. "You need medical treatment…"
The smile he offered made her feel a little more at ease. For a moment, she thought he was leaning down to kiss her and she instinctively lifted her chin to meet him. Only he pulled away. She tried to follow his gaze, to guess what he'd heard or seen, but her awareness of her surroundings was minimal at best. It was hard to pay attention to anything outside of herself just now with her arm in its current state.
Then they were moving again, with Kyros supporting most of her weight. She leaned heavily against him, shuffling her feet as quickly as she could. Still, the effort was exhausting, even knowing that test would mean certain death. At least for Ky if not herself. "I'm with you, baby," she murmured in reply, repeating the affectionate term without even realizing it. "I can go a little longer."
Sure enough, they were at the wood's edge soon after. He left her by the side of the road and she instantly missed his presence as he stepped away. She felt herself swaying, lightheaded and weak. She wanted to lean against something, anything, but there was nothing there, and she wasn't about to risk walking on her own. Her fight to stay upright was enough that she barely noticed the exchange in the road.
The next thing she was truly aware of was being weightless as Ky scooped her up into his arms. She instantly curled into him, pressing her face to his chest and inhaling the now familiar scent. A small groan escaped her lips as he put her into the passenger seat - more from reluctance to pull away than from pain. Her eyes felt so heavy… When she opened them again, the car was in motion. Had it been a few seconds or minutes? She wasn't sure.
"Where will we be safe?" she asked softly. "You need medical treatment…"
They’d been on the road for a good ten minutes before Essa seemed to get the strength enough to speak. He’d actually thought she’d already passed out. He glanced at her when she spoke, his brows knitting together. “I need medical treatment? I’m not the one with a bullet lodged in my arm, princess. Why didn’t you jump off the wall when I told you to?” He shifted his gaze back to the road, shaking his head and letting out a tired breath. Truth was they both needed tending to, but first they had to get to a safe location. He knew where he was going. But he didn’t tell that to Essa. He just hoped that the safe house wasn’t compromised already. “You’re not bleeding that bad. And the less you move the better. Just… close your eyes and rest. It’ll be awhile before we get there.” About fifteen minutes later Kyros slowed like he was going to pull off the road. But he saw men and cars that had attempted to hide around the entrance point to the road he’d been approaching. He eased back onto the gas, speeding by the safe house. It was crawling with Guintoli men. Shit.
He took to the freeway, weaving through traffic, heading further away from the city. Fighting his own weariness from loss of blood. His arm, too, had slowed in the bleeding. That was good at least. But damn did it hurt. They both needed to rest. To get patched up. He needed to get that bullet out of her arm. But he didn’t dare stop. Not until they got to the new location. He had to make sure no one got to her. For more than one reason.
An hour on the road and Kyros finally pulled off the freeway, onto a little used highway, then onto a dirt road leading deep into a wooded area. This was the one place he could think of that would still be off the Guintoli radar. Because it wasn’t Moretti property… it had belonged to the last foster family he’d lived with when he was barely a teen. This was his foster father’s fishing cabin - at least it had been before Kyros had killed him. As far as Ky knew, it was still in the family, but they never used it.
Kyros parked the car behind the cabin, between the building and a lake just a few hundred feet to the left. He groaned as he got out. “Stay here. Going to make sure the place is empty and I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the cabin, gun in hand. Five minutes later he re-emerged, gun holstered once more, and looking a bit more relaxed. Haggard even. He opened the passenger door and helped Essa out of the car. He tried to be gentle with her, especially when he had to take hold of her injured arm. But he was barely staying on his own feet. “There should be something inside we can use for our wounds.” He was sure there was a first aid kit. He hoped he could find something to dig the bullet out of her arm with. Maybe a sewing kit to stitch things up with.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
They’d been on the road for a good ten minutes before Essa seemed to get the strength enough to speak. He’d actually thought she’d already passed out. He glanced at her when she spoke, his brows knitting together. “I need medical treatment? I’m not the one with a bullet lodged in my arm, princess. Why didn’t you jump off the wall when I told you to?” He shifted his gaze back to the road, shaking his head and letting out a tired breath. Truth was they both needed tending to, but first they had to get to a safe location. He knew where he was going. But he didn’t tell that to Essa. He just hoped that the safe house wasn’t compromised already. “You’re not bleeding that bad. And the less you move the better. Just… close your eyes and rest. It’ll be awhile before we get there.” About fifteen minutes later Kyros slowed like he was going to pull off the road. But he saw men and cars that had attempted to hide around the entrance point to the road he’d been approaching. He eased back onto the gas, speeding by the safe house. It was crawling with Guintoli men. Shit.
He took to the freeway, weaving through traffic, heading further away from the city. Fighting his own weariness from loss of blood. His arm, too, had slowed in the bleeding. That was good at least. But damn did it hurt. They both needed to rest. To get patched up. He needed to get that bullet out of her arm. But he didn’t dare stop. Not until they got to the new location. He had to make sure no one got to her. For more than one reason.
An hour on the road and Kyros finally pulled off the freeway, onto a little used highway, then onto a dirt road leading deep into a wooded area. This was the one place he could think of that would still be off the Guintoli radar. Because it wasn’t Moretti property… it had belonged to the last foster family he’d lived with when he was barely a teen. This was his foster father’s fishing cabin - at least it had been before Kyros had killed him. As far as Ky knew, it was still in the family, but they never used it.
Kyros parked the car behind the cabin, between the building and a lake just a few hundred feet to the left. He groaned as he got out. “Stay here. Going to make sure the place is empty and I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the cabin, gun in hand. Five minutes later he re-emerged, gun holstered once more, and looking a bit more relaxed. Haggard even. He opened the passenger door and helped Essa out of the car. He tried to be gentle with her, especially when he had to take hold of her injured arm. But he was barely staying on his own feet. “There should be something inside we can use for our wounds.” He was sure there was a first aid kit. He hoped he could find something to dig the bullet out of her arm with. Maybe a sewing kit to stitch things up with.
They’d been on the road for a good ten minutes before Essa seemed to get the strength enough to speak. He’d actually thought she’d already passed out. He glanced at her when she spoke, his brows knitting together. “I need medical treatment? I’m not the one with a bullet lodged in my arm, princess. Why didn’t you jump off the wall when I told you to?” He shifted his gaze back to the road, shaking his head and letting out a tired breath. Truth was they both needed tending to, but first they had to get to a safe location. He knew where he was going. But he didn’t tell that to Essa. He just hoped that the safe house wasn’t compromised already. “You’re not bleeding that bad. And the less you move the better. Just… close your eyes and rest. It’ll be awhile before we get there.” About fifteen minutes later Kyros slowed like he was going to pull off the road. But he saw men and cars that had attempted to hide around the entrance point to the road he’d been approaching. He eased back onto the gas, speeding by the safe house. It was crawling with Guintoli men. Shit.
He took to the freeway, weaving through traffic, heading further away from the city. Fighting his own weariness from loss of blood. His arm, too, had slowed in the bleeding. That was good at least. But damn did it hurt. They both needed to rest. To get patched up. He needed to get that bullet out of her arm. But he didn’t dare stop. Not until they got to the new location. He had to make sure no one got to her. For more than one reason.
An hour on the road and Kyros finally pulled off the freeway, onto a little used highway, then onto a dirt road leading deep into a wooded area. This was the one place he could think of that would still be off the Guintoli radar. Because it wasn’t Moretti property… it had belonged to the last foster family he’d lived with when he was barely a teen. This was his foster father’s fishing cabin - at least it had been before Kyros had killed him. As far as Ky knew, it was still in the family, but they never used it.
Kyros parked the car behind the cabin, between the building and a lake just a few hundred feet to the left. He groaned as he got out. “Stay here. Going to make sure the place is empty and I’ll be right back.” He disappeared into the cabin, gun in hand. Five minutes later he re-emerged, gun holstered once more, and looking a bit more relaxed. Haggard even. He opened the passenger door and helped Essa out of the car. He tried to be gentle with her, especially when he had to take hold of her injured arm. But he was barely staying on his own feet. “There should be something inside we can use for our wounds.” He was sure there was a first aid kit. He hoped he could find something to dig the bullet out of her arm with. Maybe a sewing kit to stitch things up with.
"Oh. That." She paused, glancing at her arm as though she'd almost forgotten about it. "Well, it's not going anywhere," she said finally with a one armed shrug. She seemed a little more coherent, his mocking drawing a little more alertness out of her. "And you were shot too, so yes, you need medical treatment."
The question that followed required no thought. "You were hurt. I was worried about you." It was that simple for her. Honestly, she didn't even really regret it. "Maybe I should have jumped, but if you didn't make it over, I was gonna be dead anyway." That was the logical point at least. "Please don't be mad…" She didn't like him being upset with her. Especially when she already felt so miserable. Still, she murmured softly afterwards. "It was even worth getting shot."
She turned her head slightly to look at him as he spoke. "I can stay awake," she insisted. Within a few minutes at least she was already sleeping. Enough that she never realized that he was forced to change his plans. She drifted in and out, opening her eyes occasionally, only to fall back asleep moments later.
It was only as the car stopped that her eyes fluttered open. "Ky?" she asked as she tried to figure out what was happening. "Oh. So we're here?" She began to look around, realizing they were at some sort of lake cabin. If it weren't for the bullets and bleeding, this would be a nice vacation actually. It was pretty at least.
When Ky returned, she could see the difference in him and instantly relaxed herself. She let him help her out of the car, but this time she could somewhat stand on her own. At least he didn't need to carry her. Still, she could feel he was leaning on her now too.
"I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile."
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
"Oh. That." She paused, glancing at her arm as though she'd almost forgotten about it. "Well, it's not going anywhere," she said finally with a one armed shrug. She seemed a little more coherent, his mocking drawing a little more alertness out of her. "And you were shot too, so yes, you need medical treatment."
The question that followed required no thought. "You were hurt. I was worried about you." It was that simple for her. Honestly, she didn't even really regret it. "Maybe I should have jumped, but if you didn't make it over, I was gonna be dead anyway." That was the logical point at least. "Please don't be mad…" She didn't like him being upset with her. Especially when she already felt so miserable. Still, she murmured softly afterwards. "It was even worth getting shot."
She turned her head slightly to look at him as he spoke. "I can stay awake," she insisted. Within a few minutes at least she was already sleeping. Enough that she never realized that he was forced to change his plans. She drifted in and out, opening her eyes occasionally, only to fall back asleep moments later.
It was only as the car stopped that her eyes fluttered open. "Ky?" she asked as she tried to figure out what was happening. "Oh. So we're here?" She began to look around, realizing they were at some sort of lake cabin. If it weren't for the bullets and bleeding, this would be a nice vacation actually. It was pretty at least.
When Ky returned, she could see the difference in him and instantly relaxed herself. She let him help her out of the car, but this time she could somewhat stand on her own. At least he didn't need to carry her. Still, she could feel he was leaning on her now too.
"I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile."
"Oh. That." She paused, glancing at her arm as though she'd almost forgotten about it. "Well, it's not going anywhere," she said finally with a one armed shrug. She seemed a little more coherent, his mocking drawing a little more alertness out of her. "And you were shot too, so yes, you need medical treatment."
The question that followed required no thought. "You were hurt. I was worried about you." It was that simple for her. Honestly, she didn't even really regret it. "Maybe I should have jumped, but if you didn't make it over, I was gonna be dead anyway." That was the logical point at least. "Please don't be mad…" She didn't like him being upset with her. Especially when she already felt so miserable. Still, she murmured softly afterwards. "It was even worth getting shot."
She turned her head slightly to look at him as he spoke. "I can stay awake," she insisted. Within a few minutes at least she was already sleeping. Enough that she never realized that he was forced to change his plans. She drifted in and out, opening her eyes occasionally, only to fall back asleep moments later.
It was only as the car stopped that her eyes fluttered open. "Ky?" she asked as she tried to figure out what was happening. "Oh. So we're here?" She began to look around, realizing they were at some sort of lake cabin. If it weren't for the bullets and bleeding, this would be a nice vacation actually. It was pretty at least.
When Ky returned, she could see the difference in him and instantly relaxed herself. She let him help her out of the car, but this time she could somewhat stand on her own. At least he didn't need to carry her. Still, she could feel he was leaning on her now too.
"I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile."
The cabin was a small, two bedroom - fully furnished and covered in a thin layer of dust from disuse. Ky limped inside with Essa. Now that he was certain they were safe for now, his injuries and the stress of the fight were starting to catch up to him. “I gotta find the med kit.” His vision dimmed even as he said this and he lifted a hand to rub at his eyes.
‘I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile.’
Kyros let out a tired breath. He started to protest, to take a step towards the bathroom to look for the medical kit in there. But his step faltered and he stumbled a bit. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah. Yeah okay.” He tiredly slumped over to the couch situated in front of the fireplace, carefully removing his leather jacket as he went. He sank down into the couch, craning his neck to look at the rather deep gash in his upper arm. Fuck. That was deep. No wonder his arm was covered in blood down to his palm. Shit. He lifted his shirt, carefully removing it all together. It would only get in the way right now. He sucked in a hissing breath as he did. HIs ribs were bruised, and he had a pretty long cut on his abdomen as well. Damn. Between his injuries and the bullet in Essa’s arm, Ky was going to have a hell of a time patching them both up. He started thinking, trying to figure out what all he was going to need to get this done.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The cabin was a small, two bedroom - fully furnished and covered in a thin layer of dust from disuse. Ky limped inside with Essa. Now that he was certain they were safe for now, his injuries and the stress of the fight were starting to catch up to him. “I gotta find the med kit.” His vision dimmed even as he said this and he lifted a hand to rub at his eyes.
‘I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile.’
Kyros let out a tired breath. He started to protest, to take a step towards the bathroom to look for the medical kit in there. But his step faltered and he stumbled a bit. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah. Yeah okay.” He tiredly slumped over to the couch situated in front of the fireplace, carefully removing his leather jacket as he went. He sank down into the couch, craning his neck to look at the rather deep gash in his upper arm. Fuck. That was deep. No wonder his arm was covered in blood down to his palm. Shit. He lifted his shirt, carefully removing it all together. It would only get in the way right now. He sucked in a hissing breath as he did. HIs ribs were bruised, and he had a pretty long cut on his abdomen as well. Damn. Between his injuries and the bullet in Essa’s arm, Ky was going to have a hell of a time patching them both up. He started thinking, trying to figure out what all he was going to need to get this done.
The cabin was a small, two bedroom - fully furnished and covered in a thin layer of dust from disuse. Ky limped inside with Essa. Now that he was certain they were safe for now, his injuries and the stress of the fight were starting to catch up to him. “I gotta find the med kit.” His vision dimmed even as he said this and he lifted a hand to rub at his eyes.
‘I’ll look around. I feel better now. You should rest some. You've been driving awhile.’
Kyros let out a tired breath. He started to protest, to take a step towards the bathroom to look for the medical kit in there. But his step faltered and he stumbled a bit. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Yeah. Yeah okay.” He tiredly slumped over to the couch situated in front of the fireplace, carefully removing his leather jacket as he went. He sank down into the couch, craning his neck to look at the rather deep gash in his upper arm. Fuck. That was deep. No wonder his arm was covered in blood down to his palm. Shit. He lifted his shirt, carefully removing it all together. It would only get in the way right now. He sucked in a hissing breath as he did. HIs ribs were bruised, and he had a pretty long cut on his abdomen as well. Damn. Between his injuries and the bullet in Essa’s arm, Ky was going to have a hell of a time patching them both up. He started thinking, trying to figure out what all he was going to need to get this done.
As they moved inside the cabin, Essa’s concern only grew. She’d known he was injured, but he was leaning on her more and more as they walked it seemed, his limping noticeable. He was exhausted. She had to figure something she could do to help him without making things worse.
“Ky, let me do it,” she insisted softly as he rubbed at his eyes.
She reached out for him as he moved towards the bathroom, only to stumble on his first step. And then the strangest thing happened. He agreed with her. If anything, that only scared her more. He always fought back. If he was agreeing... either he suddenly trusted her judgement more than ever before - which she strongly doubted given the bullet lodged in her arm right now - or he was too hurt to conjure up his trademark stubbornness.
Her eyes narrowed in concern as he removed his leather jacket, revealing the gash in his arm. It was worse than she thought. He had hidden it so well... That only spurred her forward with even more urgency. She entered the bathroom, searching for any medical supplies she could find. There was the med kit, but also a bottle of wound disinfectant and some extra gauze and cotton pads.
Essa knelt before him, distress in her eyes as she looked at his injuries. But there was only one thing to do
“I’ll clean the wounds,” she said, voice soft, but firm as she poured the disinfectant onto a cotton pad. Her eyes moved between the two wounds, trying to judge what was worse. Definitely the arm. At the least, it had bled the most. She grimaced every time she shifted her injured arm, but did her best to hide the pain. He had been hurt protecting her, and getting her to safety had drained him. She could take care of him now. She owed him at least that much after everything.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. She knew this was going to be uncomfortable for him, and she wasn’t about to condescend by acting like he didn’t already know that too. But it was necessary. She gingerly patted the soaked cotton over the edge of his wound, careful not to apply any more pressure than was absolutely necessary. Her eyes flicked up to meet his once more.
“Thank you, Ky. For everything.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
As they moved inside the cabin, Essa’s concern only grew. She’d known he was injured, but he was leaning on her more and more as they walked it seemed, his limping noticeable. He was exhausted. She had to figure something she could do to help him without making things worse.
“Ky, let me do it,” she insisted softly as he rubbed at his eyes.
She reached out for him as he moved towards the bathroom, only to stumble on his first step. And then the strangest thing happened. He agreed with her. If anything, that only scared her more. He always fought back. If he was agreeing... either he suddenly trusted her judgement more than ever before - which she strongly doubted given the bullet lodged in her arm right now - or he was too hurt to conjure up his trademark stubbornness.
Her eyes narrowed in concern as he removed his leather jacket, revealing the gash in his arm. It was worse than she thought. He had hidden it so well... That only spurred her forward with even more urgency. She entered the bathroom, searching for any medical supplies she could find. There was the med kit, but also a bottle of wound disinfectant and some extra gauze and cotton pads.
Essa knelt before him, distress in her eyes as she looked at his injuries. But there was only one thing to do
“I’ll clean the wounds,” she said, voice soft, but firm as she poured the disinfectant onto a cotton pad. Her eyes moved between the two wounds, trying to judge what was worse. Definitely the arm. At the least, it had bled the most. She grimaced every time she shifted her injured arm, but did her best to hide the pain. He had been hurt protecting her, and getting her to safety had drained him. She could take care of him now. She owed him at least that much after everything.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. She knew this was going to be uncomfortable for him, and she wasn’t about to condescend by acting like he didn’t already know that too. But it was necessary. She gingerly patted the soaked cotton over the edge of his wound, careful not to apply any more pressure than was absolutely necessary. Her eyes flicked up to meet his once more.
“Thank you, Ky. For everything.”
As they moved inside the cabin, Essa’s concern only grew. She’d known he was injured, but he was leaning on her more and more as they walked it seemed, his limping noticeable. He was exhausted. She had to figure something she could do to help him without making things worse.
“Ky, let me do it,” she insisted softly as he rubbed at his eyes.
She reached out for him as he moved towards the bathroom, only to stumble on his first step. And then the strangest thing happened. He agreed with her. If anything, that only scared her more. He always fought back. If he was agreeing... either he suddenly trusted her judgement more than ever before - which she strongly doubted given the bullet lodged in her arm right now - or he was too hurt to conjure up his trademark stubbornness.
Her eyes narrowed in concern as he removed his leather jacket, revealing the gash in his arm. It was worse than she thought. He had hidden it so well... That only spurred her forward with even more urgency. She entered the bathroom, searching for any medical supplies she could find. There was the med kit, but also a bottle of wound disinfectant and some extra gauze and cotton pads.
Essa knelt before him, distress in her eyes as she looked at his injuries. But there was only one thing to do
“I’ll clean the wounds,” she said, voice soft, but firm as she poured the disinfectant onto a cotton pad. Her eyes moved between the two wounds, trying to judge what was worse. Definitely the arm. At the least, it had bled the most. She grimaced every time she shifted her injured arm, but did her best to hide the pain. He had been hurt protecting her, and getting her to safety had drained him. She could take care of him now. She owed him at least that much after everything.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. She knew this was going to be uncomfortable for him, and she wasn’t about to condescend by acting like he didn’t already know that too. But it was necessary. She gingerly patted the soaked cotton over the edge of his wound, careful not to apply any more pressure than was absolutely necessary. Her eyes flicked up to meet his once more.
“Thank you, Ky. For everything.”
Kyros had his eyes closed, breathing deeply as his bruised ribs would allow, until he felt her approaching. He opened his eyes to find her kneeling on the floor in front of him. He sat up straighter, bringing his injured arm closer to her when she said she’d clean his wounds. He was too tired to fight her about it, even though he knew he could do it faster and probably better on his own. His grey eyes watched her face as she worked. Ever observant as he was, she couldn’t hide the winces of pain from his prying gaze. He started to say something, but just then she touched the gash in his arm with the disinfectant she’d found. He hissed and growled as it stung the open wound. He looked to the injury, gritting his teeth. “Fuck.” Her apology brought his gaze back to her face. And then she was thanking him. What? This woman was always throwing him for a loop. He frowned. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He looked down to her arm to see blood seeping out of the bullet hole once more.
Ky’s frown deepened and he took the stuff from her hands. “You can thank me by holding that arm still. If you aren’t careful, you’ll make the bullet move and tear the muscle.” He gently gripped her elbow and lowered her arm until she had it bent at her side as if in a sling. He glanced around the room a moment, his teeth grazing his lower lip. “Do you think you can dig around from a sewing kit? And maybe some vodka or something?” He needed to take stock of what was in the med kit too. This was going to be a process. First things first, he needed to get his arm and the cut on his abdomen dealt with. He could do nothing for Essa if he bled out.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kyros had his eyes closed, breathing deeply as his bruised ribs would allow, until he felt her approaching. He opened his eyes to find her kneeling on the floor in front of him. He sat up straighter, bringing his injured arm closer to her when she said she’d clean his wounds. He was too tired to fight her about it, even though he knew he could do it faster and probably better on his own. His grey eyes watched her face as she worked. Ever observant as he was, she couldn’t hide the winces of pain from his prying gaze. He started to say something, but just then she touched the gash in his arm with the disinfectant she’d found. He hissed and growled as it stung the open wound. He looked to the injury, gritting his teeth. “Fuck.” Her apology brought his gaze back to her face. And then she was thanking him. What? This woman was always throwing him for a loop. He frowned. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He looked down to her arm to see blood seeping out of the bullet hole once more.
Ky’s frown deepened and he took the stuff from her hands. “You can thank me by holding that arm still. If you aren’t careful, you’ll make the bullet move and tear the muscle.” He gently gripped her elbow and lowered her arm until she had it bent at her side as if in a sling. He glanced around the room a moment, his teeth grazing his lower lip. “Do you think you can dig around from a sewing kit? And maybe some vodka or something?” He needed to take stock of what was in the med kit too. This was going to be a process. First things first, he needed to get his arm and the cut on his abdomen dealt with. He could do nothing for Essa if he bled out.
Kyros had his eyes closed, breathing deeply as his bruised ribs would allow, until he felt her approaching. He opened his eyes to find her kneeling on the floor in front of him. He sat up straighter, bringing his injured arm closer to her when she said she’d clean his wounds. He was too tired to fight her about it, even though he knew he could do it faster and probably better on his own. His grey eyes watched her face as she worked. Ever observant as he was, she couldn’t hide the winces of pain from his prying gaze. He started to say something, but just then she touched the gash in his arm with the disinfectant she’d found. He hissed and growled as it stung the open wound. He looked to the injury, gritting his teeth. “Fuck.” Her apology brought his gaze back to her face. And then she was thanking him. What? This woman was always throwing him for a loop. He frowned. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He looked down to her arm to see blood seeping out of the bullet hole once more.
Ky’s frown deepened and he took the stuff from her hands. “You can thank me by holding that arm still. If you aren’t careful, you’ll make the bullet move and tear the muscle.” He gently gripped her elbow and lowered her arm until she had it bent at her side as if in a sling. He glanced around the room a moment, his teeth grazing his lower lip. “Do you think you can dig around from a sewing kit? And maybe some vodka or something?” He needed to take stock of what was in the med kit too. This was going to be a process. First things first, he needed to get his arm and the cut on his abdomen dealt with. He could do nothing for Essa if he bled out.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, wincing sympathetically as he hissed and cursed. She knew it hurt. It had to. But if he bled out or got an infection, they’d never leave here - either of them. So she diligently set about her work, cleaning his wound as best as she could.
She looked up at him in shock as he took the items from her hands. His words had her glancing at her own arm, seeing that she was indeed angering the bullet that lurked within her flesh. “It’s hard not to when most everything seems to require two hands,” she protested weakly, but she did not fight him as he repositioned her arm, holding it there.
She frowned a little as he suggested she set about to other tasks. Her instinct was to fight him, but truth be told, they were both too tired to fight. Instead she found herself leaning forward, her forehead pressing to his knee as she tried to push down the renewed pain in her arm. When she looked up at him, it was with a weary smile. “Ky, I know I owe you my life several times over by now. The least I can do is help patch you up.” She glanced back to her arm. “It’s not like my injury really matters. I’m pretty much useless either way.” She gave a one armed shrug. “You’re the one we need to be okay if we want to survive this.”
Finally she nodded, rising to her feet slowly, avoiding the instinct to use both arms to lift her from the ground. She fumbled through the drawers and cupboards, looking until she found a small sewing kit and a half drank bottle of vodka in the freezer. There was an ice pack too which she grabbed and wrapped in a towel before walking back towards him.
“Here, you should ice your ribs,” she said softly, holding out the ice pack awkwardly with her good hand while trying to keep the bottle and kit tucked beneath her arm. “So I found the sewing kit and some vodka. What are you going to need to get this hunk of metal out of my arm? A knife or some tweezers maybe?” She wasn’t sure how one did backroom surgery with improvised tools. That was more his area of expertise than hers.
Still her eyes narrowed looking at the wounds he sported before shifting to meet his own grey gaze. Concern and perhaps helplessness was thick in her voice. “Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, wincing sympathetically as he hissed and cursed. She knew it hurt. It had to. But if he bled out or got an infection, they’d never leave here - either of them. So she diligently set about her work, cleaning his wound as best as she could.
She looked up at him in shock as he took the items from her hands. His words had her glancing at her own arm, seeing that she was indeed angering the bullet that lurked within her flesh. “It’s hard not to when most everything seems to require two hands,” she protested weakly, but she did not fight him as he repositioned her arm, holding it there.
She frowned a little as he suggested she set about to other tasks. Her instinct was to fight him, but truth be told, they were both too tired to fight. Instead she found herself leaning forward, her forehead pressing to his knee as she tried to push down the renewed pain in her arm. When she looked up at him, it was with a weary smile. “Ky, I know I owe you my life several times over by now. The least I can do is help patch you up.” She glanced back to her arm. “It’s not like my injury really matters. I’m pretty much useless either way.” She gave a one armed shrug. “You’re the one we need to be okay if we want to survive this.”
Finally she nodded, rising to her feet slowly, avoiding the instinct to use both arms to lift her from the ground. She fumbled through the drawers and cupboards, looking until she found a small sewing kit and a half drank bottle of vodka in the freezer. There was an ice pack too which she grabbed and wrapped in a towel before walking back towards him.
“Here, you should ice your ribs,” she said softly, holding out the ice pack awkwardly with her good hand while trying to keep the bottle and kit tucked beneath her arm. “So I found the sewing kit and some vodka. What are you going to need to get this hunk of metal out of my arm? A knife or some tweezers maybe?” She wasn’t sure how one did backroom surgery with improvised tools. That was more his area of expertise than hers.
Still her eyes narrowed looking at the wounds he sported before shifting to meet his own grey gaze. Concern and perhaps helplessness was thick in her voice. “Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated, wincing sympathetically as he hissed and cursed. She knew it hurt. It had to. But if he bled out or got an infection, they’d never leave here - either of them. So she diligently set about her work, cleaning his wound as best as she could.
She looked up at him in shock as he took the items from her hands. His words had her glancing at her own arm, seeing that she was indeed angering the bullet that lurked within her flesh. “It’s hard not to when most everything seems to require two hands,” she protested weakly, but she did not fight him as he repositioned her arm, holding it there.
She frowned a little as he suggested she set about to other tasks. Her instinct was to fight him, but truth be told, they were both too tired to fight. Instead she found herself leaning forward, her forehead pressing to his knee as she tried to push down the renewed pain in her arm. When she looked up at him, it was with a weary smile. “Ky, I know I owe you my life several times over by now. The least I can do is help patch you up.” She glanced back to her arm. “It’s not like my injury really matters. I’m pretty much useless either way.” She gave a one armed shrug. “You’re the one we need to be okay if we want to survive this.”
Finally she nodded, rising to her feet slowly, avoiding the instinct to use both arms to lift her from the ground. She fumbled through the drawers and cupboards, looking until she found a small sewing kit and a half drank bottle of vodka in the freezer. There was an ice pack too which she grabbed and wrapped in a towel before walking back towards him.
“Here, you should ice your ribs,” she said softly, holding out the ice pack awkwardly with her good hand while trying to keep the bottle and kit tucked beneath her arm. “So I found the sewing kit and some vodka. What are you going to need to get this hunk of metal out of my arm? A knife or some tweezers maybe?” She wasn’t sure how one did backroom surgery with improvised tools. That was more his area of expertise than hers.
Still her eyes narrowed looking at the wounds he sported before shifting to meet his own grey gaze. Concern and perhaps helplessness was thick in her voice. “Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?”
Instead of moving away from him, she leaned forward and put her head on his knee. He’d turned to attend to his arm, but her action made him pause and look back to her. It was such a defeated gesture. He frowned, his brows knitting together slightly, as something deep inside him churned to life. He started to reach out for her, to put his hand in her hair. But he stopped himself. What was it about this girl that seemed to drive him crazy? Even whilst he was bleeding and in pain? She lifted her face once more. Even her words did something to him. Maybe it wasn’t the words so much as the look on her face, the tone of her voice. “Hey…” he spoke softly, reaching for her now with his bloodied hand, to lift her chin as he met her gaze head on. “I’ve survived much worse than this. Don’t worry, princess. I’ll be fine.” One corner of his lips curled up in a soft smirk as he skillfully hid away his own pain. He didn’t need her to worry about him. He needed her to follow instructions. And he knew she was hurting. He was certain this was her first such injury. The first one always hurt the worst.
While she went about the room, Kyros managed to finish cleaning up his arm and the cut under his ribs. The one under his ribs wasn’t so bad with the blood washed away. But his arm would leave quite the scar even if he’d gone to an actual doctor to get sewn up. But at least it wasn’t pouring blood like it had before. Ky also took stock of the med kit, and found most of what he would need to finish the job of closing up their wounds. He looked up when she approached with the stuff he’d asked for plus an ice pack. He waved the ice pack away, reaching for the vodka and the sewing kit. “My ribs are just bruised. Use that ice to numb up that bullet hole,” he told her. He set about using the alcohol to sterilize a sewing needle and to prepare a thin but strong thread to sew up his own arm. “I found tweezers in the med kit. And I’ve got my knives.” He held up one wrist to show her the sheath still strapped there. His nimble fingers made quick work of preparing the needle and thread. He stared at his arm for a moment trying to figure out the best angle to go at it.
‘Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?’
He looked up at her with a quizzical expression, one that said this was probably a bad idea. “How good are you at sewing?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Instead of moving away from him, she leaned forward and put her head on his knee. He’d turned to attend to his arm, but her action made him pause and look back to her. It was such a defeated gesture. He frowned, his brows knitting together slightly, as something deep inside him churned to life. He started to reach out for her, to put his hand in her hair. But he stopped himself. What was it about this girl that seemed to drive him crazy? Even whilst he was bleeding and in pain? She lifted her face once more. Even her words did something to him. Maybe it wasn’t the words so much as the look on her face, the tone of her voice. “Hey…” he spoke softly, reaching for her now with his bloodied hand, to lift her chin as he met her gaze head on. “I’ve survived much worse than this. Don’t worry, princess. I’ll be fine.” One corner of his lips curled up in a soft smirk as he skillfully hid away his own pain. He didn’t need her to worry about him. He needed her to follow instructions. And he knew she was hurting. He was certain this was her first such injury. The first one always hurt the worst.
While she went about the room, Kyros managed to finish cleaning up his arm and the cut under his ribs. The one under his ribs wasn’t so bad with the blood washed away. But his arm would leave quite the scar even if he’d gone to an actual doctor to get sewn up. But at least it wasn’t pouring blood like it had before. Ky also took stock of the med kit, and found most of what he would need to finish the job of closing up their wounds. He looked up when she approached with the stuff he’d asked for plus an ice pack. He waved the ice pack away, reaching for the vodka and the sewing kit. “My ribs are just bruised. Use that ice to numb up that bullet hole,” he told her. He set about using the alcohol to sterilize a sewing needle and to prepare a thin but strong thread to sew up his own arm. “I found tweezers in the med kit. And I’ve got my knives.” He held up one wrist to show her the sheath still strapped there. His nimble fingers made quick work of preparing the needle and thread. He stared at his arm for a moment trying to figure out the best angle to go at it.
‘Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?’
He looked up at her with a quizzical expression, one that said this was probably a bad idea. “How good are you at sewing?”
Instead of moving away from him, she leaned forward and put her head on his knee. He’d turned to attend to his arm, but her action made him pause and look back to her. It was such a defeated gesture. He frowned, his brows knitting together slightly, as something deep inside him churned to life. He started to reach out for her, to put his hand in her hair. But he stopped himself. What was it about this girl that seemed to drive him crazy? Even whilst he was bleeding and in pain? She lifted her face once more. Even her words did something to him. Maybe it wasn’t the words so much as the look on her face, the tone of her voice. “Hey…” he spoke softly, reaching for her now with his bloodied hand, to lift her chin as he met her gaze head on. “I’ve survived much worse than this. Don’t worry, princess. I’ll be fine.” One corner of his lips curled up in a soft smirk as he skillfully hid away his own pain. He didn’t need her to worry about him. He needed her to follow instructions. And he knew she was hurting. He was certain this was her first such injury. The first one always hurt the worst.
While she went about the room, Kyros managed to finish cleaning up his arm and the cut under his ribs. The one under his ribs wasn’t so bad with the blood washed away. But his arm would leave quite the scar even if he’d gone to an actual doctor to get sewn up. But at least it wasn’t pouring blood like it had before. Ky also took stock of the med kit, and found most of what he would need to finish the job of closing up their wounds. He looked up when she approached with the stuff he’d asked for plus an ice pack. He waved the ice pack away, reaching for the vodka and the sewing kit. “My ribs are just bruised. Use that ice to numb up that bullet hole,” he told her. He set about using the alcohol to sterilize a sewing needle and to prepare a thin but strong thread to sew up his own arm. “I found tweezers in the med kit. And I’ve got my knives.” He held up one wrist to show her the sheath still strapped there. His nimble fingers made quick work of preparing the needle and thread. He stared at his arm for a moment trying to figure out the best angle to go at it.
‘Isn’t there anything else I can do for you, Ky?’
He looked up at her with a quizzical expression, one that said this was probably a bad idea. “How good are you at sewing?”
It was a strange sort of comfort this familiarity between them. Just the simple act of touch between them as she pressed her head to his leg soothed her until her breathing came in even, measured lengths. It wasn’t a surprise really. For all that their time together had been short and their circumstances were more than a little twisted... they’d already gone through so much together. They’d survived a near death experience, running for their lives. More than that, he had been her first. No matter what had led to that... it had changed things. It had changed her.
When she looked up at him, she didn’t even notice the blood on his hand as he reached for her. She only wanted to close her eyes and sink into the gesture. Yet those steel grey eyes of his were captivating - too much so for her to look away. And when he spoke... it wasn’t just his words that reassured her. His voice was soft and... kind. Yet she knew the pain was still there, no matter how easily he hid it.
Her good hand lifted to cover his own, lightly tugging his palm to press against her cheek as she offered him a shy smile. More than anything, it was the usage of his nickname for her that brought a spark of light back into her eyes. “I believe you. So I’ll try. For your sake... I’ll try not to worry.” She would surely fail, worrying was too much a part of her nature to deny entirely. And strange as it was... he mattered to her.
She turned her head slightly, pressing a kiss to his wrist as though it were second nature before releasing his hand entirely, rising to do as he asked.
Essa huffed slightly as he rejected the ice pack. “Just because it's not a gaping wound doesn’t mean you can just ignore it you know,” she grumbled, even as she reluctantly pressed the pack to her own wound, squeaking slightly from the tenderness of the area. She flushed even more with embarrassment as he reminded her of his knives. “Right, of course,” she mumbled, uncomfortable with the sudden feeling of idiocy that washed over her.
She was just about to sit next to him on the couch to ice her wound, trying not to groan as she gently pressed the towel there, a thin trail of blood trickling beneath the towel as she did so. Shit. If she ever got shot again, it would be far too soon.
His question took her by surprise. “I’m actually pretty good at it. Anna - she was my housekeeper - taught me when I was younger.” She knew what he was suggesting. After all, sewing up one’s own body was hard enough. But only having the use of one arm to do it with? Even worse. She took the needle and thread into her own hand, discarding the ice pack entirely.
Sitting beside him, she leaned in close, studying the wound. “Don’t worry, Ky. I can handle this,” she reassured him. Her eyes shifted to the vodka bottle. “Maybe you should have a sip or two?” After all, she had no way to numb him to what she was about to do. Hesitating only slightly, the needle in her hand hovered just at the edge of his skin. “Anything else I need to know about stitching wounds that’s different from stitching fabric before I start?”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
It was a strange sort of comfort this familiarity between them. Just the simple act of touch between them as she pressed her head to his leg soothed her until her breathing came in even, measured lengths. It wasn’t a surprise really. For all that their time together had been short and their circumstances were more than a little twisted... they’d already gone through so much together. They’d survived a near death experience, running for their lives. More than that, he had been her first. No matter what had led to that... it had changed things. It had changed her.
When she looked up at him, she didn’t even notice the blood on his hand as he reached for her. She only wanted to close her eyes and sink into the gesture. Yet those steel grey eyes of his were captivating - too much so for her to look away. And when he spoke... it wasn’t just his words that reassured her. His voice was soft and... kind. Yet she knew the pain was still there, no matter how easily he hid it.
Her good hand lifted to cover his own, lightly tugging his palm to press against her cheek as she offered him a shy smile. More than anything, it was the usage of his nickname for her that brought a spark of light back into her eyes. “I believe you. So I’ll try. For your sake... I’ll try not to worry.” She would surely fail, worrying was too much a part of her nature to deny entirely. And strange as it was... he mattered to her.
She turned her head slightly, pressing a kiss to his wrist as though it were second nature before releasing his hand entirely, rising to do as he asked.
Essa huffed slightly as he rejected the ice pack. “Just because it's not a gaping wound doesn’t mean you can just ignore it you know,” she grumbled, even as she reluctantly pressed the pack to her own wound, squeaking slightly from the tenderness of the area. She flushed even more with embarrassment as he reminded her of his knives. “Right, of course,” she mumbled, uncomfortable with the sudden feeling of idiocy that washed over her.
She was just about to sit next to him on the couch to ice her wound, trying not to groan as she gently pressed the towel there, a thin trail of blood trickling beneath the towel as she did so. Shit. If she ever got shot again, it would be far too soon.
His question took her by surprise. “I’m actually pretty good at it. Anna - she was my housekeeper - taught me when I was younger.” She knew what he was suggesting. After all, sewing up one’s own body was hard enough. But only having the use of one arm to do it with? Even worse. She took the needle and thread into her own hand, discarding the ice pack entirely.
Sitting beside him, she leaned in close, studying the wound. “Don’t worry, Ky. I can handle this,” she reassured him. Her eyes shifted to the vodka bottle. “Maybe you should have a sip or two?” After all, she had no way to numb him to what she was about to do. Hesitating only slightly, the needle in her hand hovered just at the edge of his skin. “Anything else I need to know about stitching wounds that’s different from stitching fabric before I start?”
It was a strange sort of comfort this familiarity between them. Just the simple act of touch between them as she pressed her head to his leg soothed her until her breathing came in even, measured lengths. It wasn’t a surprise really. For all that their time together had been short and their circumstances were more than a little twisted... they’d already gone through so much together. They’d survived a near death experience, running for their lives. More than that, he had been her first. No matter what had led to that... it had changed things. It had changed her.
When she looked up at him, she didn’t even notice the blood on his hand as he reached for her. She only wanted to close her eyes and sink into the gesture. Yet those steel grey eyes of his were captivating - too much so for her to look away. And when he spoke... it wasn’t just his words that reassured her. His voice was soft and... kind. Yet she knew the pain was still there, no matter how easily he hid it.
Her good hand lifted to cover his own, lightly tugging his palm to press against her cheek as she offered him a shy smile. More than anything, it was the usage of his nickname for her that brought a spark of light back into her eyes. “I believe you. So I’ll try. For your sake... I’ll try not to worry.” She would surely fail, worrying was too much a part of her nature to deny entirely. And strange as it was... he mattered to her.
She turned her head slightly, pressing a kiss to his wrist as though it were second nature before releasing his hand entirely, rising to do as he asked.
Essa huffed slightly as he rejected the ice pack. “Just because it's not a gaping wound doesn’t mean you can just ignore it you know,” she grumbled, even as she reluctantly pressed the pack to her own wound, squeaking slightly from the tenderness of the area. She flushed even more with embarrassment as he reminded her of his knives. “Right, of course,” she mumbled, uncomfortable with the sudden feeling of idiocy that washed over her.
She was just about to sit next to him on the couch to ice her wound, trying not to groan as she gently pressed the towel there, a thin trail of blood trickling beneath the towel as she did so. Shit. If she ever got shot again, it would be far too soon.
His question took her by surprise. “I’m actually pretty good at it. Anna - she was my housekeeper - taught me when I was younger.” She knew what he was suggesting. After all, sewing up one’s own body was hard enough. But only having the use of one arm to do it with? Even worse. She took the needle and thread into her own hand, discarding the ice pack entirely.
Sitting beside him, she leaned in close, studying the wound. “Don’t worry, Ky. I can handle this,” she reassured him. Her eyes shifted to the vodka bottle. “Maybe you should have a sip or two?” After all, she had no way to numb him to what she was about to do. Hesitating only slightly, the needle in her hand hovered just at the edge of his skin. “Anything else I need to know about stitching wounds that’s different from stitching fabric before I start?”
Kyros was certain this was going to be a bad idea. But it would go a hell of a lot easier if she could actually handle the blood and gore and close his wound for him. He could do it himself, but it would take longer, and he was still feeling weak. He needed to conserve his energy for dealing with the bullet. He eyed her carefully even as she looked closer at his torn up arm. He watched her closely. Her hair was tousled. The blood on her face where she’d pressed her cheek into his palm stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Thinking about how she’d pressed into his palm, made him think about the way she’d kissed his wrist before she’d pulled away. WHen it’d happened, something had fluttered in his chest. It was… he wasn’t sure what it was, and he didn’t have the mental capacity to examine that right now. He forced his thoughts back to the present. His eyes lighted on the blood on her cheek again. Was she pale from blood loss? He shouldn’t be asking her to do this.
Essa seemed to read his thoughts though for she looked at him and assured him that she could handle this. He still wasn’t convinced, so when she suggested he take a few drinks he agreed.
After taking a few sips, he set the bottle down and motioned for her to go for it. “No, no. Just uh… make a zig-zag as you go and cinch it tight a little at a time. And…,” he dipped his head to make sure he had her attention, their eyes locked so she would see how serious he was about this, “don’t stop until it’s done.” WIth that, he let her proceed. As she worked, he took deep quick breaths, growling and cursing, balling the hand of his other arm into a fist and fighting the urge to scream.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Kyros was certain this was going to be a bad idea. But it would go a hell of a lot easier if she could actually handle the blood and gore and close his wound for him. He could do it himself, but it would take longer, and he was still feeling weak. He needed to conserve his energy for dealing with the bullet. He eyed her carefully even as she looked closer at his torn up arm. He watched her closely. Her hair was tousled. The blood on her face where she’d pressed her cheek into his palm stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Thinking about how she’d pressed into his palm, made him think about the way she’d kissed his wrist before she’d pulled away. WHen it’d happened, something had fluttered in his chest. It was… he wasn’t sure what it was, and he didn’t have the mental capacity to examine that right now. He forced his thoughts back to the present. His eyes lighted on the blood on her cheek again. Was she pale from blood loss? He shouldn’t be asking her to do this.
Essa seemed to read his thoughts though for she looked at him and assured him that she could handle this. He still wasn’t convinced, so when she suggested he take a few drinks he agreed.
After taking a few sips, he set the bottle down and motioned for her to go for it. “No, no. Just uh… make a zig-zag as you go and cinch it tight a little at a time. And…,” he dipped his head to make sure he had her attention, their eyes locked so she would see how serious he was about this, “don’t stop until it’s done.” WIth that, he let her proceed. As she worked, he took deep quick breaths, growling and cursing, balling the hand of his other arm into a fist and fighting the urge to scream.
Kyros was certain this was going to be a bad idea. But it would go a hell of a lot easier if she could actually handle the blood and gore and close his wound for him. He could do it himself, but it would take longer, and he was still feeling weak. He needed to conserve his energy for dealing with the bullet. He eyed her carefully even as she looked closer at his torn up arm. He watched her closely. Her hair was tousled. The blood on her face where she’d pressed her cheek into his palm stood out in stark contrast to her pale skin. Thinking about how she’d pressed into his palm, made him think about the way she’d kissed his wrist before she’d pulled away. WHen it’d happened, something had fluttered in his chest. It was… he wasn’t sure what it was, and he didn’t have the mental capacity to examine that right now. He forced his thoughts back to the present. His eyes lighted on the blood on her cheek again. Was she pale from blood loss? He shouldn’t be asking her to do this.
Essa seemed to read his thoughts though for she looked at him and assured him that she could handle this. He still wasn’t convinced, so when she suggested he take a few drinks he agreed.
After taking a few sips, he set the bottle down and motioned for her to go for it. “No, no. Just uh… make a zig-zag as you go and cinch it tight a little at a time. And…,” he dipped his head to make sure he had her attention, their eyes locked so she would see how serious he was about this, “don’t stop until it’s done.” WIth that, he let her proceed. As she worked, he took deep quick breaths, growling and cursing, balling the hand of his other arm into a fist and fighting the urge to scream.
