William curled tight on the narrow bed, like he was tryin' to fold himself away from the whole wide world. His shoulders shivered, breath ragged, eyes open and burnin' though he forced 'em shut, like a man fightin' the weight of his own soul.
Leticia set her hand soft upon his chest. From her fingers seeped a thin mist, pale and near invisible, glowin' cold and blue like lantern-light through water. The chill wrapped around him gentle, dimmin' the fire roarin' inside till his breath began to settle. But in his eyes, Lord help him, a storm still raged.
"What done happen to you, cher?" she whispered, leanin' close, voice low and tender as a hymn. She searched his face like she was tryin' to catch the second his pain eased off just a touch.
William squeezed his eyes shut, jaw cut sharp with strain, fightin' somethin' he couldn't name. Silence stretched on, heavy as swamp heat, till at last a rough sound broke from him.
