Snippet #2342286

Sleep became fitful quickly. The weight on his shoulder, the gash in his throat, James could not stand it. His body was waking up slowly, in spits and bursts, he could move his hands but not his arms, he could bend his knees but not lift his legs. He couldn't get away. Hassen had lost threat status, the male seemed content to just lay somewhat still, possibly asleep or just relaxing. James couldn't tell. His head still wasn't clear enough to use his senses to even an ounce of their capacity. The only thing he could hear was his heart thumping in his ears and the only thing he could smell was death, even with his face averted the scent was terribly alluring but painfully forbidden. Maddening, almost. Thankfully, the ribbons of skin Drake had made his flesh into were starting to close up, at least at skin level. His artery had sealed itself too, so the only blood dripping occasionally from his neck now was the slow leak from his muscle tissue. It was only a surface wound now, as if it had never been anything worse. The less crucial damage would take days to heal, however, and would cause him exorbitant amounts of pain and bleeding at the same time. Not enough to incapacitate him again, but enough. Too much.

He'd only slept for a few minutes, less than thirty, but he didn't know how long exactly. Now he needed to escape. Hassan was not a threat now, but that didn't mean he couldn't change on a dime. And James was in no state to deal with him. He didn't need to be broken anymore than he was. His trembling hand reached up and rested on the top of Hassan's head, as gently as he could, just in case the male was asleep. James certainly didn't want to wake him. It took great effort to lift Hassan's head off his shoulder, but once he'd done it he surged with triumph, slipping off the bed, knees buckling the moment his feet hit the ground. His arms stopped him from sliding all the way off, but his head was hanging down like he had no spine. It was too heavy and his neck too weak still.

James stared carefully at Hassen as he found his footing, pulling himself to his feet, wobbling wildly. His torso was slightly slumped, and his head hung down as if he was still being carried. The door. He had to make it to the door. Once he got out into the hall he'd be okay. Everything would be okay. he could slump against the wall and crawl up the stairs to the attic and hide in his room. No one would find him there. He'd be safe there.

The boy made his way painstakingly towards the door, stepping on his own feet, knees shaking. He built up a bit of momentum and ran straight into the door, pushing it all the way open and tumbling to the ground, crumpling in a small bloody pile. His head bumped the ground, making him briefly loose consciousness as all the blood in his body fell from his brain into his feet and hands. When his eyes flicked open again it was with bewilderment. Where was he? His head was throbbing. Maybe he shouldn't think, just lay here. Yeah, that sounded like a good idea. He should just rest. He was feeling kind of light headed anyway. Which was kind of strange. Maybe it was because he'd taken a bit of a fall. That wouldn't explain the splitting pain in his neck, but that really didn't matter.

It took a bit of effort to roll himself onto his back, but once he did his blurry eyes landed on Linnet. Oh, what was she doing here? He smiled shakily at her, traces of bewilderment lingering hazily on his features. He probably looked a sight, like a baby dragon most like, covered in blood and bedraggled. The blood had most certainly come from the pain in his neck, but where had the wound come from? Staring at Linnie for a few seconds made everything come back in short order, however. Oh. Oh. That was how that had happened. The quavering smile dropped off his face, replaced by a pained look. She'd seemed to frightened. Was she alright now. He wished to stand up and make sure, but he didn't think he could do more than prop his back up against the wall at this moment. If he could even make it to the wall, which was a stretch.