“Don’t—don’t touch it!” The words came out a strangled scream. She almost fell off the table, trying to get away. He snatched his hand back as she collapsed and lay there, drawing sharp laboured breaths as she tried to calm down, choking back panicked sobs. Her heart was pounding so hard, she could feel it in her temples. “He was going to—going to—” She tripped over her own tongue, trying to protectively cradle that side of her body. Keep it from being touched.
