Shady

“…it’s hard not to,” she sighed. “I don’t like that he’s toying with me.”

“He gave me a lot of pretty things,” Talia said quietly, walking back over to keep bunching up the herbs. “And let me listen to music with him… though… I ...

Ky sighed a little and nodded, accepting the comfort. “…Yeah… that’s true, I guess… and… I had figured out something was off with him… even if I never would have ...

“It’s okay.” She shrugged and glanced at her at last, smiling a little. “I was good at it, so my life was fairly easy.” She turned and hung up another ...

Ky grimaced. “ I am not seven… I should have known better.”

Ky grimaced as well. “… well… I like you being around… and I don’t want him to force you. Septimus said that hurts a lot.” She hesitated, glancing around. “…I ...

Ky hesitated. “…wouldn’t he try to force you through if you help me? That’s what Septimus said…”

Talia shrugged uncomfortably, still not looking up. “It wasn’t all bad… cold, but a relatively easy month or so… no one was allowed to touch us on the way up ...

“I don’t want him to hurt you.” She shook her head. “Thanks, though.”

“…yeah.” She nodded. “It’s just…” she sighed. “Irrational, I guess. I’m just afraid they won’t be enough since he already forced his way in once. Can he pick the new ...

Talia hesitated, then shook her head, blushing a little. “… well… maybe they did. I don’t know. We had thicker clothes on until maybe the last half hour or hour ...

“You can’t understand what it’s like to be my size and age and gender and wake up to a man standing over you.” She pulled her arms tighter around herself. ...

She sighed and withdrew into herself. “You don’t understand.”

Ky nodded, patting her pocket. “I never take it off. Ever.”

“It does a good job.” Talia nodded. “It was incredible how much better I felt yesterday putting on thick clothes and eating the oatmeal.”