Awry

43

Tristan winced as he tried to stand up straight in the little shack. The pain was almost unbearable, keeping him from walking or standing without wanting to scream.

It felt like he was imploding, his soul pulling at his skin from the inside out.

He stood in the kitchen, looking down at an untouched plate of food. Lifting a fork to his mouth was too taxing and chewing made his ears throb and pop. He hadn’t eaten all day, but his pain far outweighed his hunger.

He thought about going back to where Scarlet was, just to relieve the aching for a few hours.

He would, he decided, if it carried on for another few days. If there was no reprieve from his torment soon, he would make his way closer to Scarlet. Just close enough to breathe easily. Or breathe at all.

Until then, he would just grit his teeth through the pain.

He picked up his uneaten plate of food and emptied it into the trash, wincing with every movement.