HARPER
Startling her would have been a better alternative it seems. Harper’s heart jumps into his throat at the same time his feet dig into the sand to lunge forward into a run the moment the cracking sound overhead is heard. He’s far too well-trained for hesitation, but his desire to not scare or intimidate are meaningless when the girl is struck to the ground by the falling debris.
Harper lifts one arm to shield his own head, relatively careless as he sprints into the cavern and slides in the sand to kneel over her prone form. The rocks batter at his shoulders and spine, leaving what will surely become lurid bruises, as the tunnel makes its objections known.
She is small and willowy beneath him, and Harper doesn’t hesitate to turn her on her side in order to pull her into his arms, curled over her body and wincing with the spray of rocks and silt against his neck and head as he races back for the opening and into the sunshine with the young woman held safely in his grasp. “Are you alright? Let me see,” immediately tumbles forth, old field training as fresh as it has ever been. He kneels and places her as gently as he possibly can onto the sand before his scarred fingers are gently probing at her shoulder. Reluctant to pull on the seams or otherwise disrobe her, but searching for blood.
Harper lifts one arm to shield his own head, relatively careless as he sprints into the cavern and slides in the sand to kneel over her prone form. The rocks batter at his shoulders and spine, leaving what will surely become lurid bruises, as the tunnel makes its objections known.
She is small and willowy beneath him, and Harper doesn’t hesitate to turn her on her side in order to pull her into his arms, curled over her body and wincing with the spray of rocks and silt against his neck and head as he races back for the opening and into the sunshine with the young woman held safely in his grasp. “Are you alright? Let me see,” immediately tumbles forth, old field training as fresh as it has ever been. He kneels and places her as gently as he possibly can onto the sand before his scarred fingers are gently probing at her shoulder. Reluctant to pull on the seams or otherwise disrobe her, but searching for blood.
in the night you come to me because I'm the one who knows who you are
