For a moment after Gaffer grabbed her, neither of them moved.
But he soon fell down, with him on top of her little body, groaning.
Linda lay on the damp ground, her wrists still trapped beneath his enormous clawed hand.
His face hovered close above hers, his breathing harsh and uneven, hot air brushing against her skin.
His eyes were wild.
Linda saw that he was not angry at all and neither was he cruel. He was just drowning in pain.
"…Little white."
The name came out hoarse from his mouth. His grip loosened instantly. "You..."
He released her wrists and rolled off her body, moving away as if her presence itself burned him.
Gaffer dragged himself a few feet away and arched forward suddenly. A groan tore out of his throat.
His claws dug violently into the ground as if he was trying to tear the pain out of his own body.
Linda pushed herself upright quickly.
Her heart was racing, but the fear she expected never truly came.
