i knelt on carpet that was stiff with dried fluids , and tried not to think too hard about what some of those fluids might be . there was n't time to think it through . he doesnt even acknowledge my presence with eye contact . a few brown , dead leaves swirled past the car . i just needed the guy guarding you out of the way . at least the wound had a fighting chance . it would be so easy to put the man down . she broke the kiss on a gasp and tossed her head back . 