Agony – the suffering of intense physical or mental pain; the struggle that precedes death; a sudden or intense emotion; a violent, intense struggle
She had never truly thought about the different types of pain. She knew that there was a difference between physical pain and mental pain. She knew that a paper cut would cause less pain than having a tooth removed, but she never thought about the differences in emotional pain. Pain was pain.
She realizes now how stupid that was. Beaver had to have been in pain for years. A pain so deep and dark, so hidden, that no one could see.
Now she watches the brother he left behind. It's become her personal mission to make sure that he talks about his feelings. This usually earns her a new nickname, and if she's really lucky, a new combination of expletives. But she keeps watching, because missing what's beneath the surface can cause the greatest pain of all.
