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The nuke's casing gleams, a slice of silver between the curtains. You know from drone surveillance Manousos is pacing outside, finger on the trigger. On the bed, Kusimayu whimpers.
"Easy." Carol's voice is softer than you've ever heard it. "Take deep breaths, it's okay.”
"I--" Another whimper. You risk a look, Zosia's stomach churning with nervous heat. Kusimayu's hair is slipping from its braids, dark strands stuck to her sweaty face. "I can't..."
"You can." Carol says firmly. "Just let yourself feel it, all right? Feel it in your body, no one else's. They can’t take that away, not if you fight back.”
"Not--not a taking," Kusimayu moans. Her hips jerk, pressing into Carol's touch.
"That's what they tell you to think, but you don't have to let them. You can tell them what to do, like--" Carol's head snaps up, eyes burning into you. "Zosia, c'mere."
There's denial on the tip of your tongue, but you force it down. Carol isn't hurting Kusimayu, those aren't pained moans, so you can't separate them. You can't leave them, either; the only option left is to approach.
"Auntie?" Kusimayu asks in Quechua, squinting up at you. You open your mouth, but Carol cuts you off.
"No." She presses a kiss to Kusimayu's forehead. "Just a body. They're all just bodies, but we're real.”
You want to argue, but before you can Carol grabs you by the hair. “You’ll understand,” she says, tugging your head between Kusimayu’s thighs. “I'll help you understand."