[Divine Blood] Hold Her

You offer your hand and she takes it. Her bony fingers tremble and she takes an unsteady step toward you. Shame and hesitation shade her eyes, and her face looks even paler than before. You take her into your arms, and she starts crying.

Hot tears soak your shirt, and her sobbed half-sentences dredge up memories. Guts torn from the bodies of men whose laugh you once knew. Blades in the dark, and sharp teeth that followed you into your dreams. A nurse you never kissed. Your own eyes are wet and a single tear rolls down your face, soon wiped away with a swipe of your sleeve.

The two of you sit in darkness, her tears long since dried, and remember. Her body is slight against yours, like a child – or like a corpse. A comfortable silence has fallen, neither of you able to voice the unspeakable.

Some time passes

{if The Passage of Time > 95} Your Time in Barenhaven is running out {elseif The Passage of Time > 80} Your Time in Barenhaven is coming to a close {elseif The Passage of Time > 60} You have some Time left in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 50} Your Time in Barenhaven is half-way over {elseif The Passage of Time > 30} You have quite some Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 15} You have a lot of Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 5} Your Time in Barehaven has just begun {else} You are now spending Time in Barenhaven {endif}

She squeezes your hand as you leave, wordless thanks and a friendship renewed.