Tally tried to reach out for her but they held her back and no matter how hard she cried and begged to touch her they wouldn't let her. There was Alder hands tied behind her back, gagged, beaten and bruised. She hadn't even fought back so Tally would be protected. Her muffled screams were agony to Tally's ears. And Alder only looked at her with those bright blue eyes of hers that tried to convey to her all she felt.
This isn't your fault.
But Tally knew it was her fault. If only she had kept her mouth shut then this wouldn't have happened. Why did Sarah Alder have to keep on fighting for others? Why did she have to suffer so much?
When her tormentors reached her, a knife to her throat, Tally stared wide eyed and tried again to reach for her. Those eyes, always forgiving her till the very end. Tally screamed.
And when Tally awoke, the scream singing from her very lips, covered in sweat. Tears running down her cheeks. Her gaze met worried blue eyes and the redhead wept some more. Throwing herself into those arms that could only comfort, lips which kissed her head and whispered reassurances.
Her kindness only made Tally feel even more guilty. Sarah had said it never really goes away but you carry it with you, you learn to live with that burden. You learn just to survive. Tally was sinking like an anchor but Sarah was her lifeboat bringing her to shore.
Bringing her home, like a storm.