Emily watched the words come out of her mouth in slow motion. For a brief moment she thought they might freeze in the cold February air, drop to the ground, and shatter into a thousand little pieces. Those words weren't faithful; those words weren't right. They were deadly weapons launched to attack Madeline.
Instead of freezing they continued steadily on their dreadful course. Emily tried to reach out and grab them, but her arms were like lead, and her fists stayed motionless at her side. Her eyes widened in horror as the moment of impact approached. The first word sliced Madeline's cheek and dissolved behind her. The next two hit in rapid succession, actually drawing blood. Madeline reeled back as she was bombarded by the series of words. By the end of the sentence several thin lines of blood criss-crossed across her face. She squared her shoulders after the attack was over.
"Okay, Emily, that's good to know."
There was only one thing Emily needed to do to undo the wound she had carelessly inflicted. Two words would remove the bloody lines. Three syllables would create a balm for Madeline's stinging face. Emily was stupefied, and stammered a response.
"I-- I'm--"
It was difficult to get the appropriate phrase to come out after the self-gratification her first sentence brought. She was gagging on the remedy.
"I'm sorry," She finally gagged out.
The two words took incredible energy, but Emily watched in satisfaction as they rushed to Madeline's face to soothe the pain inflicted by her thoughtless words a moment before.
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