The aftermath of Felton and his last encounter left his abdomen purple and lumpy where it should be smooth. Not wanting to interrupt the healers with his wounds, he took a rag soaked in salt water and dabbed it on his injuries. The water enveloped his wounds as closely as his own skin. Every new sore stung with the salt being washed in, but it was the only way to avoid infection. He winced as it swirled without mercy, penetrating to the cells that should be protected by smooth skin but lie open and raw. The only thought that somehow numbed his aching pain was Carley. And that she loved him. Adam would never get sick of hearing it, hearing the words she only ever said in his imagination.
He still hadn't figured out how he managed to stop kissing her that day. There was no looking back now. Although that kiss; those multiple hungry kisses between them -- what did it mean for their relationship? They hadn't discussed that, nor the origin of his injuries. Perhaps both of them felt it was easier that way, to stay happy as long as it would be possible and not destroy it, even though Adam had a suspicioun at the back of his mind that something is going to go wrong; someone is going to break him again and this time not physically. He always had those thoughts when everything seemed to fall into place. Although Carley managed to make those thoughts vanish whenever she was near and he was thankful, even if they were dismissed for only a couple of minutes. The rustling of leaves behind him snapped him out of his daze.