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Instinctively, I ran my hands over my torso.
I half-expected to feel crushed bones and torn flesh beneath my fingertips.
But instead, all I felt was the smooth contour of my body, unharmed and intact.
How was that possible?
A sigh of relief escaped my lips, but it did little to alleviate the disconcerting feeling bubbling up inside me.
I stumbled slightly, the sudden rush of memories momentarily overwhelming me.
Talan glanced back, his eyes searching mine for a brief second, perhaps trying to gauge my condition or merely checking if I was still following.
I gave him a nod, a silent reassurance that I was okay, even though I wasn’t entirely sure of that myself.
The throbbing in my bones persisted, each step a painful reminder of the traumatic experience I had undergone.
“Why does it still hurt?” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the cacophony of alien sounds around us.
Perhaps it was the mind’s way of coping, or perhaps the pain was a part of the game — a reminder of the stakes, of the danger that lurked around every corner.
Regardless, it served as a constant reminder of my vulnerability, of how easily things could go south.
I looked up, my gaze settling on Talan’s back once more.
He seemed so unfazed by everything, moving with purpose and determination, as if he had a clear plan in mind.
Did he feel the same way I did?
Did he relive the memories, the pain, the fear, every time we found ourselves back in this world?
Or was he simply better at hiding his emotions?
A sudden realization dawned on me.
Talan was my anchor in this chaotic world.
In the midst of the madness, he was the one constant, the one thing that remained unchanged.
For better or for worse, our fates were intertwined, and our survival depended on each other.
As we trudged on, I couldn’t help but think about the delicate balance of power between us.
The handcuffs that bound us were more than just physical restraints.
They symbolized the complex relationship we shared — one where trust and vulnerability went hand in hand.
I had felt it firsthand, the sheer force of Talan’s strength.
I had been crushed under it, rendered powerless, unable to move or breathe.
It was a humbling experience, a stark reminder of my own fragility.
But it also made me respect and appreciate the restraint he showed every other time, the gentle touches, the protective gestures.
It was a stark contrast, one that both scared and fascinated me.
As we ventured deeper into the alien jungle, the memories and pain faded into the background, replaced by the immediate need for survival.
