WNC SS 164

Realizing the red marks my grip had left on the child's wrist, I belatedly loosened my hold.

Ruben remained silent for a long while, lost in thought. He opened his mouth slightly and closed it, clenched his teeth until his masseter muscles stood out, and then stared calmly into my face. He did not avoid my gaze. Every time those black eyes blinked, it felt as if the world collapsed and was reconstructed anew.

Ruben asked again.