Page 199 of Scarbound

Pain woke him.

For one disorienting moment, Noeul didn’t understand what was happening. Then he saw Chung-Hee. Recognition came back all at once.

And this time, so did his voice.

“No!”

The scream tore through the room.

“Stop! I don’t want this!”

He kicked, twisted, pulled against the restraint until metal cut into his wrist.

“Please, stop! It hurts!”

Nothing about him was still now. He fought with everything his exhausted body could give him. The only thought he could hold onto was escape.

Chung-Hee tried to restrain him. Noeul fought harder.

Then came a blow. The room flashed white.

Still Noeul struggled.

Another.

His strength began to fail.

Chung-Hee kept telling himself the same thing. Noeul was confused. Noeul was frightened. Noeul didn’t understand what he really wanted.

If Chung-Hee could only keep him here long enough, he would understand. He would calm down. He would stay.

Every thought required Chung-Hee to ignore what Noeul had just screamed at him.

No.

Stop.

I don’t want this.

Eventually, the room became quiet again.

Chung-Hee woke before sunrise. For a moment, habit took over. Exercise. Shower. Coffee. Breakfast.

He prepared food for two.

When he returned to the bedroom, Noeul lay exactly where he had left him. Chung-Hee placed the tray on the nightstand.

Water. Coffee. Breakfast.

Small gestures from another life.

“Noeul.”

Noeul stirred.

“I brought you something to eat.”

No answer.