Interrogation

The easier the intruder's way, the more controlled the mind and Pieter found himself descending at an extraordinary rate, engulfed in a pleasant blue feeling that abruptly turned sour. A convulsive shiver ran through the two people, locked together by more than just his light touch on her temples.

In his physical body, Pieter's eyes snapped open with shocking suddenness, reflecting his unexpected encounter inside Karin's mind. His breathing became hoarse and his face, ashen with shock, twisted in pain. That pain was mirrored on Karin's features but it was a strange reflection, more of an empathetic pain than if she were actually feeling it herself.

With a wretched cry, Pieter threw himself back from her, breaking the bond, and collapsed sobbing unashamedly at her feet. Karin's hands, despite their cuffs, manoeuvred around and cradled his head in her lap, her own salty tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, Pieter, I told you not to," she whispered painfully. She had no idea what he'd encountered in her mind, save that it was very bad. "I told you not to."

There was complete silence, with only the sound of Pieter's horrified sobs and Karin's murmured soothings breaking it.