Fourteen
Björn’s hands still shook from the shock of his powerlessness. Something primal awoke in him when they tore Annie away, touched her breasts and other parts of her body. This primal rage tore at his heart like a wild animal, but he was utterly powerless to help her. He was weak, unable to protect what was dear to him. A long-forgotten emotion had returned that had driven him to madness many, many years ago: the longing to overcome death and time, and preserve what was precious.
Again.
Her screams resurfaced these memories from a past he had buried so deep down he had forgotten they existed. Her voice sounded like… Kaari. He never thought he would see her face so clearly before him, twisted with pain as they whipped her fragile body while he was powerless to save her. While Thoma
