Pearl's hand claws uselessly at the pavement, blunt nails scraping concrete, and another wet groan digs its way out of her throat. Too weak to even lift her arm. If this woman keeps hovering over her like that, just barely within reach, Pearl is going to lose whatever's been left of her mind.

"No," she hisses through hard-grit teeth, but then her features soften, glassy blue eyes wide with need: "Please."