22

“You can wrap your arms around me, Nara. It’s okay.” he said softly. Gingerly, she slowly brought her arms around him, coming to rest her head against his brawny chest, her sobs gradually reducing as the intense pain on her bum started to ebb.

“Let’s get you a bit comfortable.” he said and lifted her onto his shoulder, taking her to the living room where she noticed for the first time that there was a big automatic couch that doubled as a bed in there.

Gently, he lay her on her side, brushing her hair away from her wet cheeks. Her sobs were down to sniffles by now. “Shh, it’s okay.” He encouraged soothingly and she was surprised at the tenderness he was showing her but it helped her finally stop crying.

“I need you to relax. I’ll get some balm so you can heal quickly.”

She tensed up, her body protesting any reference to contact with her smarting bum.

“Shh, just relax, I’ll be gentle, I promise. I gave you the pain. Now I’ll take it away.”

Her protesting muscles slowly gave way as sh