An Escape

Jaecar pushed me down to kneel next to the bed.

Collapsing behind me, he put his forehead against my shoulder. I could feel the heat of his skin behind me. Feel his pain and confusion and something he wanted to say but didn’t have the words.

I imagined just a short time ago, when he was looking over my art and I was excitedly telling him about the pages while he smiled indulgently. Or when I’d happily leapt on his back in the early morning sun, and he’d teased me.

Flashing bits of that white grin when his gaze slid to me.

Making me think we were actually close.

I realized he was breathing evenly. Having collapsed from exhaustion.

But not for long. I knew. I’d already learned that first hand.

I knew it was unlikely I was going to get away, but I had to try. I tilted slightly sideways, making him slip over my shoulder and down the back of my bicep. I lifted my elbow to catch his weight and guide him down as best as I could. I was weak and he was a large male.