Chapter Six
He was dying, being ripped apart, his skin flayed from his flesh, his muscles shredding, bones snapping. Hugh screamed, and screamed, and screamed again.
After an eternity, the agony waned and became merely pain. Hugh lay panting, gasping, sobbing.
The pain faded until only an ache remained.
Hugh’s senses sorted slowly through his surroundings. He lay on a floor in a dimly lit room, curled up on his side. Rushes pressed against his right cheek. Someone held him from behind, arms around his ribcage, hands splayed across his chest, forehead pressed to his shoulder blade.
Where am I? Who am I?
His breathing steadied—and his awareness of himself firmed. He knew who he was, knew where he was. And he knew who was holding him so tightly.
Hugh swallowed. His throat felt raw from
