[ for a moment, they stood there facing each other, completely oblivious to anything else that was happening. if she'd been able to, ashley would have tried teleporting again. though she wasn't entirely sure where she would choose, she knew she needed to get out of that office.
she isn't sure she can deal with this. not so soon.
she takes another step backwards as helen reaches for her, shaking her head in an effort to keep them separate. but she's sluggish, as though something's not quite right. her mind is there. maybe it's an effect of having the cabal's control stripped from her, though that seems more than a little like wishful thinking.
her mother's hand brushes her before she can stop either of them and for a moment ashley stands rigid, tears in her eyes as she swallows hard and fights the fear welling up in her. it's not fear for herself. she doesn't care what happens to herself now. she's worried about her mother, about what might happen if or when the cabal get control of her again.
being here, seeing her mother again... it's wonderful, but it isn't worth the risk. ]
I can't... [ she chokes, dragging air into her lungs on a sob. ] I don't want to hurt you.
[ stop making this so hard.
another step back as that hand brushes her shoulder this time.
telling herself it isn't worth the risk is getting harder and harder. ]
IT'S BREAKING MINE, TOO, DON'T WORRY
she isn't sure she can deal with this. not so soon.
she takes another step backwards as helen reaches for her, shaking her head in an effort to keep them separate. but she's sluggish, as though something's not quite right. her mind is there. maybe it's an effect of having the cabal's control stripped from her, though that seems more than a little like wishful thinking.
her mother's hand brushes her before she can stop either of them and for a moment ashley stands rigid, tears in her eyes as she swallows hard and fights the fear welling up in her. it's not fear for herself. she doesn't care what happens to herself now. she's worried about her mother, about what might happen if or when the cabal get control of her again.
being here, seeing her mother again... it's wonderful, but it isn't worth the risk. ]
I can't... [ she chokes, dragging air into her lungs on a sob. ] I don't want to hurt you.
[ stop making this so hard.
another step back as that hand brushes her shoulder this time.
telling herself it isn't worth the risk is getting harder and harder. ]