09-10-2018, 07:23 AM
She'd bled all over the bar through choice; careless wounds, self-destructive, soon to be forgotten truths that made her feel strangely better at the time. This second injury was more insidious, and utterly silent. It hurt far more. Natalie's gaze wrenched free, rudderless. Her hands cradled her temples like she could stop the river of time with a touch, until defeat pressed her head against her knees.
Inside she was cold.
A gift.
She banked a stinging tide behind her eyes. Control clamped hold a vise, but she kept losing grip in the vortex, like the alcohol unravelled with mischievous hands everything she fought to contain. She probably looked passed out, or on the verge, though her toes scrunched hard. Jaw like steel beneath the barrier of her arms. A closer eye might see how her muscles corded tight. The way her nails knifed into her palms. Huddled on the floor, she felt like a fool.
Around her the conversation buzzed, but she heard little of it. Especially once the roaring rush of anger began moving her blood again. Suddenly the whole situation was intolerable. Her head rose. It took a moment to pin the agent, eyes ghost pale. Spiked by ice. "You can leave now. I don't his want his gifts, I don't want his help, I don't want anything from him."
A pause after the wintry words spilled out, letting the chill settle. The emotion drained out along with her pallor. The glacial stillness was utterly unforgiving.
"Get out."
Inside she was cold.
A gift.
She banked a stinging tide behind her eyes. Control clamped hold a vise, but she kept losing grip in the vortex, like the alcohol unravelled with mischievous hands everything she fought to contain. She probably looked passed out, or on the verge, though her toes scrunched hard. Jaw like steel beneath the barrier of her arms. A closer eye might see how her muscles corded tight. The way her nails knifed into her palms. Huddled on the floor, she felt like a fool.
Around her the conversation buzzed, but she heard little of it. Especially once the roaring rush of anger began moving her blood again. Suddenly the whole situation was intolerable. Her head rose. It took a moment to pin the agent, eyes ghost pale. Spiked by ice. "You can leave now. I don't his want his gifts, I don't want his help, I don't want anything from him."
A pause after the wintry words spilled out, letting the chill settle. The emotion drained out along with her pallor. The glacial stillness was utterly unforgiving.
"Get out."