she could feel the sharp point of its wing digging into her skin , as the arms shook her violently , her hands scrabbling awkwardly at her neck trying to release the catch , her lungs beginning to burn as the breath was stolen from her body , but the brooch held , her fingers frantically pulling at the metal , her legs swinging helplessly below her until with a final tug the pin gave and the brooch came away in her hands as she fell gasping to the floor .