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I wait for more words, but he doesn’t offer any He lies on his back, drawing his knees up before shifting onto his side, tugging at his hair so hard it surely hurts

“Jesus…” He breathes like a woht weep, but he doesn’t He just breathes, and rubs his shoulder

“Come here”

I’h that I can feel hi

His dazed eyes peek open, lifting to mine His hand kneads his shoulder “Press it back…”

“What?”

He rolls the shoulder “Push on it” His voice is thick

“Why?” I whisper At that same moment, he rasps, “Please”

I put my hand there on his shoulder It feels warm and da with his tremors “What now?” I whisper

He shifts onto his back, his left hand cupping my hand “Push on it Hard as you can”

“I’ you”

“You won’t” When I don’t reply, he grits, “Please” His eyes are squinted with pain, his sweat-slick face contorted

So…I do what he asks I lean over him and hold the place between his throat and shoulder with my left hand, while I cup his shoulder and push down hard with ht

“Harder,” he grunts

I push harder, and he moans The way his eyes and face flash open in alaro “I hurt you!”