As her assailant moved away, Arialla leaned against the rough wall: once a weapon used against her, it now became her sanctuary, the only solid thing left in her life. Her legs shook like a newborn fawn's, and even the wall could not keep her upright; she collapsed to the ground in an inelegant heap. She let out a low, keening moan.
It was over; it was all over. She was, still, waiting to die, feeling her life drain out through the wound in her neck, almost depleted, her heart fluttering weakly in a dutiful, futile attempt to push what little blood remained through her veins -- an attempt that only made matters worse, as each heartbeat leaked more blood through her torn throat.
She didn't even bother to close her eyes.
- FIN
please don't take my sunshine away
