How can you remain, Staring at the rain, Maddened by the stars?
Contracting limbs were jerked back. The twisting fibers at her body's edges gave out in a silent scream. Her vision blurred as she hit the ground, having regained her human form, so numb she barely felt the impact.
She did feel what came next. The assailant's strength as he pinned her in place, her flesh pierced with unnatural ease and a knot of panic in her stomach. She thrashed and pushed with sore limbs, to no avail, as a strange poison started to mix with the pain.
Something glottal and weak left her lips, a plea or demand, as a wave of chills reverbeated through her body, weakening her resistance. Azure's knees bucked, hands gripping the stranger's clothes, somewhere between trying to push him off and pull him towards the fire. Then, from somewhere inside this lulled state came a burst of strength. "Get off," she rasped, finding her voice. Lashing out, the girl scratched his face while her other hand reached towards the fire, willing to burn them both to set herself free. She strained against him, groaning as all she grabbed hold of was a handful of dirt.
Azure
