The aftermath! I must admit, the story gets a little darker here. Stronger themes are hinted at and I tried my hardest to write it earnestly and with as much sensitivity as possible.

As always, enjoy.

Pucca had went right to bed after leaving Garu to have his fun. She had slept surprisingly well and woke refreshed, if with a small headache. She sat in the living room nursing her glass of water. Her uncles had worked late the night prior, serving numerous celebration parties at Goh-Rong, and so she decided that she would let them sleep in for once. She fixed herself some cereal and turned on the TV to a low volume. While she ate, she flicked through her phone's notifications. There were numerous missed calls and texts from Ching, two calls from unknown numbers and a notification that warned her that her phone contract needed renewal. She read through the increasingly more frantic texts dispassionately. When she got to the last one a small smiled twisted her lips:

Pucca! Plse pick up!

I need to talked to you before anyone else. Don't talk to anyone!

Ok, I'll tell u, it's about Garu. Call me back!

She tossed her phone onto the other side of the sofa and curled her legs underneath her to enjoy the rest of her cereal in peace. It was a nice start to the morning.

...

It took two more calls that morning to speak to Pucca. At this point, Ching was frantic and pacing in her room.

"Hello?"

"Pucca! Thank god you finally answered. Are you okay? Where are you? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving the party? Did you get home okay?"

She heard her friend's hollow laugh. "Would you like me to answer in order?"

Ching stamped her foot. "Stop it, Pucca! Just answer me. Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"Where are you?"

"At home."

Ching bit her lip. "Why didn't you wait for me? We could've walked home together."

"I'm a big girl, Ching. I could walk myself home."

Ching sighed. "I know, but I was worried… I mean, did anything cause you to go home so quickly?" Her pacing picked up speed, twisting on her heel quick enough to toss her dishevelled hair into greater disarray.

Pucca pretended to think. "No, why? Did something happen?"

"Ah… Not exactly…"

"Pity."

"What?" Ching blurted.

"Oh, nothing. Was that all you wanted to talk about then? Have I answered all your questions sufficiently enough?"

Ching held her throbbing forehead. She didn't get too much sleep last night. She kept waking with a start with nightmares of her friends, all of the things which could go wrong, so her patience wasn't up to scratch that morning. "Enough with the attitude Pucca."

Pucca's voice rose in volume, "My, my, didn't our sweet Ching get up from the wrong side of the bed this morning."

"Well excuse me for taking your safety seriously and staying awake all night worrying about you, my bad! I won't anymore." Ching knew she was being a bit mean, a bit manipulative, but she couldn't believe her friend was acting so coldly with her when she was only trying to express her concern.

"Good."

That was NOT what Ching was expecting. "Pardon?"

"Good. I'm glad you won't worry about me anymore. It's not like you've had the time for me anyway." Pucca drawled.

"Pardon?" Ching repeated.

"What? Not clear enough for you? Fine, I'll spell it out for you. Since you got with Abyo you've been acting like a bad friend. All you care about it what Abyo's doing, what's he thinking, what does he want to eat that weekend." Ching choked on her shock as Pucca continued on, "and all of the PDA – ugh! It's disgusting to watch. If you want to have him so badly, just go off into the forest and get it over with already."

Ching's eyes were tearing up. "W-well, if I've been such a bad friend, why do you hang out with me?"

She scoffed. "Because I was forced. No one else was going to step up to take on your lovesick self so I took the bullet for the team. And talk about the thanks I get!"

Ching was shaking at this point. "P-P-Pucca…"

"What, C-C-Ching?" She mocked.

Ching's face was bathing in tears. "Pucca, what's wrong with you? What happened to you to make you say such awful things?"

"I've had to deal with the likes of you for over a decade!" Pucca cried back. "It's exhausting."

"You're lying. You can't mean any of this!" Ching bit the inside of her cheek and choked back a sob. "You're my best friend."

"Now who's lying."

Ching heaved a breath; her chest was on fire. "Pucca. Please… stop this."

"If you'll stop blubbering, then by all means, I'll stop."

Ching furiously wiped at her face. "You saw it, didn't you? That's why you're being like this? Isn't it? Isn't it!"

Pucca's voice was like honey, "saw what, Ching?"

Ching didn't want to say it, she didn't want to hurt Pucca, but it was bubbling up in her throat and there was no stopping it. "Ring-ring and Garu. Last night, you saw it didn't you?!"

Pucca went quiet.

Ching panicked. "I'm so, so sorry Pucca. I thought you knew. I'm sorry, I'm sure it meant nothi-"

Pucca began laughing.

"Pucca?"

"I knew it! I knew it."

"Pucca? Pucca?" Ching was left in bewilderment.

The laughing ceased. "Hey, Ching, can you do me a favour?"

"Yes?" The hopefulness in her voice was pitiful.

"Next time you see Garu, tell him something from me." She paused. "Tell him that I hope that losing his honour for the likes of Ring-ring was worth it." With that, Pucca disconnected.

Ching tumbled to the floor; the phone was still held close to her ear.

...

When Ching stomped her way over to Pucca's later that day, her uncles claimed that she wasn't feeling very well. Stuck in bed with a fever, apparently. Ching begged them to let her see Pucca but they were adamant that they didn't want anyone else catching the bug. Pucca was practically quarantined in her room, Uncle Ho enforced. Eventually Ching left, dejected, but this was far from over.

Her next victim was still lying in bed when she burst her way through the doors. He was lying, half out of the covers, an arm slung over his face to block out the mocking sun. "What did you do?" She demanded.

The body didn't move.

She kicked his foot. Twice. It moved and the arm fell from its protective stance over the body's face.

Garu squinted up at Ching and immediately regretted opening his eyes. His head was throbbing so hard that even his line of sight wobbled with each thud. Garu hadn't expected to be disturbed by anyone that morning. He had thought they'd be avoiding him as he would them… for the next millennium. In his mind, he'd yet to confront what happened last night. What he was planning on doing with Pucca… What he almost ended up doing with Ring-ring. He shuddered though it was not cold in his home.

Ching snatched up his pillow which had been kicked across the room at some point during the night. "Well? What. Did. You. Do?" With each word, Ching smacked Garu with the pillow.

Garu crumpled in on himself and covered his head with his arms.

"Tell. Me. Right. Now."

Of course, Garu remained silent. Ching knew he would but she just had to do something. Her best friend was in pain, was shutting herself away from everyone, and this boy was to blame. She eventually stopped her assault and collapsed with a huff. She didn't realise that her eyes were blurred until then. She viciously swiped at her face and glared at the boy who was peering at her from between his crossed arms.

"You're a bad man, Garu." She was quiet. So quiet it was doubtful she even spoke. "How could you…? And with Ring-ring?"

Garu felt the shame wash over him once more. His honour was completely shattered with no means of resurrection. Despite the pounding in his head, and his uneasy stomach, Garu dragged himself into a kneeling position. He bowed his head to Ching and remained still. Ching watched him and her emotions flared again. How could he? How could someone so honourable act like that?

She let out a long, exhausted sigh. "I'll ask you one thing, Garu. You have to tell me the truth, okay?"

He looked at her expectedly.

"Did Pucca see you with Ring-ring?" Did she really see you or was I the one that told her? Ching thought.

Garu's body flinched at the question. Ching's brows creased and she lifted the pillow again as if to hit him. Garu didn't move away. He just closed his eyes.

She dropped the pillow onto her lap and covered her face with her hands. No wonder Pucca was so distraught. She stayed like that for a while. Garu didn't do anything to disturb her. Finally, she swept her hands over her face then through her tangled hair. "I have one more question, Garu. Then I'll go."

Garu visibly steeled himself, back straightening and head bowing lower.

"Is Ring-ring worth it?"

Garu blinked and looked up at Ching with his brows pursed and eyes squinted.

"Is Ring-ring worth losing your honour like that? Do you really love her that much?"

Garu's mouth gaped open. He thought he misheard the question so he replayed it in his head. Was Ring-ring worth it? His honour lost…. for Ring-ring? He took in a shuddering breath.

Ching watched his face travel through various emotions: confusion, shock, disbelief, then shame. This final emotion made her scrunch up her fists and close her eyes.

"Then… I shall congratulate you, Garu, on finding such a precious love." Ching tried to say this with genuine emotion. "I really do wish you the best." She stood up and swiftly reached the door. And yet, she couldn't leave just yet. She turned to see the ninja with his head still down casted. "But, Garu?" He looked up. "You're a fool. In fact, I've never met a bigger fool than you… I hope you don't live to regret your decision." She gave him a sad smile and then she was gone.

Garu remained kneeling long after the sun had set and the darkness had enveloped him. How'd everything go so wrong? Pucca…

...

Pucca remained shut up in her home for a few days after this. Her uncles doted on her and provided her with everything, so much medicine (cough medicine, drops, fever strips, sickness tablets, painkillers, and so on); it was enough to heal their whole village!

When she was "feeling better", Pucca joined them that morning for breakfast. She had some rolled oats and fruit (Uncle Linguini's recommendation). Her uncles try to amuse her with this story and that, occasionally getting a tight-lipped smile from her.

Her uncles were soon cleaning up and getting ready to open their restaurant. Pucca got up to join them when Uncle Ho stopped her short. "Pucca, sweetheart, you should stay home today. You've only just got better; you don't want to push your body too much right now."

Uncle Dumpling vocally agreed. "He's right, Pucca. If you go back to your regular work then you might get sick again."

"And it'll take even longer to get better," Uncle Linguini called from the hallway.

Pucca rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine. I'm fighting fit already."

Uncle Ho shook his head, "No, Pucca. You might feel that way now but an hour into your shift and you'll be swaying on your feet." Uncle Dumpling was nodding his head solemnly.

Pucca repressed a heavy sigh. She smiled sickly sweet, "But if I'm left here all alone then, if I do get sick again, I'll have no one around me to help. I might end up hurting myself…" She watched the fear and anxiousness leak into her uncles' minds as they envisioned all of the possible scenarios where Pucca ended up getting hurt, just as she said, and it being their fault.

"Then again," Uncle Linguini bellowed, "we can always do with extra hands at the restaurant. And Pucca is always so responsible, if she's feeling ill again, she'll definitely tell us so we can take her to the hospital." His reasoning convinced his brothers who began nodding along.

"Yes, Pucca shall come with us today!" Uncle Dumpling declared as if it were his idea all along. Pucca bowed her head to hide her sly smile.

...

"Orders up! Ticket 12, 19 and 22."

Pucca balanced the plates upon her arms and slipped out of the kitchen. She served the plates and left without speaking to anyone. No greeting, no small talk, not even a smile. Some old women tutted as she left, muttering to themselves about how rude the waitress was. Pucca didn't turn to contradict them. Table after table she served with utter indifference. When the orders ceased for a moment, Pucca took a break. She found a quiet corner of the restaurant and sat down besides the window to stare aimlessly out of it up into the darkening sky.

Why did I come into work, again? Pucca wasn't sure herself anymore. She wasn't sure why she was doing any of this anymore… Pucca slipped off one of her shoes and massaged the back of her heel. Another blister was making itself known. She kneaded the hard flesh of her heel and into the arch. Her fingers traced the small cuts around her toes – from stubbing her feet on tables or from being stepped on by clumsy customers. The pain was there, sure, but it was dull. Pucca pressed her nails into the open wounds. Hmm…

Noise arose from the entranceway and the heavy doors of Goh-Rong swung open dramatically. From the sound of it, there was a stampede of incoming animals.

Then a voice rang above it all: "Pucca! Pucca? We need you at the front!"

Pucca covered her face but she slipped her shoe back on and walked obediently to greet the new arrivals. Pucca's final step down from the stairs were difficult. Fuck me….

Pucca plastered the fakest smile she could muster and diligently greeted the large group. "Welcome to Goh-Rong. How many in your party?"

Ring-ring ignored her. "I know, right? It's like she didn't have her own pair of eyes – like duh! Of course, that outfit was tragic and deserved to be kicked into the mud." She flipped her hair nonchalantly. "Honestly, people really should be coming to me for fashion advice. They sorely need it." Her friends chorused in agreement.

Pucca cleared her throat. "Excuse me, but how many are in your party this evening?"

"Ah! Jeremy, you're going to love the food here. Your American cuisine cannot hold a candle to Goh-Rong's special noodles." Ring-ring addressed the blonde-haired young man at the back of their rowdy group. "Com' here darling. I'll tell you all about-"

A loud cough interrupted her ramblings. The group finally acknowledged Pucca. Ring-ring veined embarrassment, "Oh, Pucca. I'm so sorry for being rude. I've been so busy showing my new foreign friends around I totally didn't notice you." With that, Ring-ring scrutinised Pucca from top to bottom. She gave her a sparkling smile. "You were saying?"

"How many are in your party?"

"Ah yes. Let's see. Three, four, five…. My, we're a big group." She laughed and continued to count slowly. Pucca's eye twitched. "Twenty-two in total."

"Okay, right this way please." Pucca lead them upstairs to a more isolated area of the restaurant where they tended to host bigger parties so that their noise didn't disrupt any other customer. "Here we are." Ring-ring remained stood behind Pucca. "Is there something wrong, miss?" Pucca forced out.

"It's just… No, never mind. This will suffice."

Her party members peered at her with concern. "Ring-ring, what is it?"

"Yeah, Ring-ring. If you're not happy, speak up."

She smiled and dropped her head as if shy. "I don't want to bother the staff."

One girl linked arms with her in support. "Never. Besides, the customer is always right. You must speak your mind, Ring-ring, or none of us will be happy either." A few of the other party members loudly agreed with this statement.

Ring-ring placed a hand over the girl's linked arm. "Alright, then." She looked at Pucca. "This isn't how a party of this size should be greeted. Where are the patricians? Why are all the tables still split up? We can't be expected to pull them together by ourselves, surely! Where are our complementary cocktails while we waited for the table?" Ring-ring sighed, dramatically leaning into her friend. Now the eyes which scrutinised Pucca were ones full of ridicule. Yeah, where were their free drinks? Why were they acting like busboys, moving the tables themselves? Disgruntled murmurs whispered through the group. Pucca gritted her teeth in a false smile.

"I'm afraid, since you didn't call ahead and request these specific details, we weren't equipped to host such a large group as well as prepare for your particular tastes. In the future, it is recommended that you call ahead of time and book with your desired restaurant so that this sort of embarrassment does not occur again." Her voice was level, unemotional, and very reasonable. The previous mumbles of dissatisfaction quickly turned to ones of shame. Of course the staff weren't prepared for them! Why didn't they call ahead of time, like anyone else?

Ring-ring flushed, feeling the atmosphere shift uncontrollably.

Pucca peered over the banister towards one of their part-time workers and waved a delicate hand. "Haku, would you mind coming here for a moment?"

Once Haku made his appearance, the pair quickly set up the tables and chairs to be more comfortable for their new guests.

"Oh, there's no need for tha-"

"Nonsense." Pucca waved her hand. "I can't have my guests feeling uncomfortable with their table setting. Allow us to arrange it to your liking."

Haku caught on to the mocking tone of Pucca used. "Yes, please let us work earnestly for you to make up for our previous failings."

Pucca turned from the group to pick up another chair, hiding her small smile from view. Pucca deliberately didn't indicate that the group should go back to the waiting area, nor did she apologise for the inconvenience. No, she made them watch each and every movement the pair did to make the area suitable for their large party. After a few minutes, two of the male guests felt so guilty they began helping Pucca and Haku with hauling the tables closer together. The rest of the party watched, shifting on their feet every few seconds, and Pucca felt a small bit of satisfaction with their inability to lock eyes with her. They looked at anything but the two staff members they had previously harassed for their own negligence.

Ring-ring's face was glowing red by the time Pucca and Haku straightened their backs, both hitting their lower backs with their fists just to make the guests feel even more guilty for their impatience and insolence. Haku slowly twisted, his hand stretched out in a tada! gesture. After which, he nodded to Pucca and walked back down stairs to resume his own work. "Please take your seats. I will be back in a few minutes to take your orders." Pucca skipped away from the silent herd. Not a whisper followed her and her smile grew toothier.

Pucca took great care to deliver this particular groups food in graceful but slow movements. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop the bone slipping grin growing inside her at the absolute silence which fell in her presence. She was on her last plate and cup of tea when Ring-ring finally made her move. She stretched out her leg from under the table and kicked at the soft skin behind Pucca's knee. She crumpled along with the cup of scolding tea she was about to place onto the table. The shattering noise caused the whole restaurant to fall into silence.

Pucca stared down at her left arm. The skin was bright pick, steam still swirling up into the air from the tea that settled into her pours, and she watched as the tea trickled its way down her pale arm to pool at the floor. She lifted her hand and noted the numerous shards protruding from her palm and fingers. She turned it for inspection, allowing the guests to get a good look at the damage – one girl gasped and began sobbing at the pitiful sight.

"Oh, no, Pucca!" Ring-ring's voice pierced the air. "How clumsy. Are you okay?" She got up like she was going to assist Pucca to her feet but stopped just short. "Oh, no. You're bleeding. Hurry, leave and get it cleaned up. You can't be bleeding all over the place. The Korean Hygiene Department would shut down the place quicker than a heartbeat."

Pucca didn't notice when Haku appeared behind her, nor when he helped to pull her to her feet and lead her back to the staff room to patch up her wounds. Pucca was too fascinated by the red rivers flowing between her fingers and the hum of heat which wrapped around her forearm.

Haku carefully extracted the small shards of porcelain and placed them in a pile to be discarded properly. His fingers were light and made quick work. Pucca could tell from the way he kept glancing up to her face that he was trying to be as gentle as possible. Not that Pucca noticed. When Haku turned to fetch the bandages from another first aid box, Pucca prodded at the open wound on her palm. Blood bloomed and oozed down to drip onto the clean white floors. Pucca decided that she liked the stark contrast of white and red.

After Haku finished securing the bandage on her arm, Pucca got up to go and finish her shift. Haku snagged her unaffected hand. "Wow, there. You can't work like that."

Pucca blinked. "It doesn't hurt."

Haku laughed half-heartedly, "There's no need to put on a brave face, Pucca. Just go tell your uncles and go home." He was packing away the first aid equipment now. Haku was still quite young, maybe fifteen, but he had a good head on his shoulders. Pucca ruffled his hair at which he backed off, face flushed. "No need for that. It was nothing…" Pucca grinned at him.

"You're a good kid, Haku."

He nodded but his brows were hitched. He quickly placed the first aid box in the cupboard and raced out of the staff room.

...

Pucca lay on her bed, staring up at the emptiness of her roof. When she'd told her uncles' what happened they demanded that she go home and rest up. Uncle Dumpling even wrapped up some food to eat when she got home with strict instructions to go straight to bed after having her dinner. Pucca had set the food on the counter and tumbled her way to her room.

Lying there in the dark, Pucca's mind was in a flurry of thoughts.

She raised her arm up and eyed the bandages. Curiosity surged and she sat up like she was electrocuted. She tore open the bandages to revel the scarcely closed wounds covering her palm and forearm. Blood crusted between her fingers and she tested the durability by opening up her hand as far as she could. The newly formed scabs split, allowing for blood to leave a thin snail trail down her arm, and she studied how the blood flowed down the around one of the blisters which were bubbling up beneath the surface of her skin. She prodded the blister. Her lip curled instinctively. Her arm was repulsive.

Pucca opened her bedside draw and withdrew a large pair of scissors. Using the tip of the blades, Pucca burst through the skin covering her blisters. She gave a hiss when the blade bit her but quickly forgot the pain as she sneered at the pus draining from her arm. Disgusting… But she couldn't stop. Soon, her arm was a dripping mess. She watched as blood and various other pale-yellow matter merged in artistic smears across the whole of her arm.

Pucca slowly got up and grabbed a towel which she used to swipe away the evidence of her strange activity. She then sat at her desk with the scissors balanced on her opposing hand. She held one of the handles and watched at the other blade fell apart from its mate. She turned it so it caught the faint moonlight streaming in through her window. She licked her lips. Her throat felt oddly dry.

Leaving the scissors resting on her table, she made her way down stairs. She got a glass of water and drained it in its entirety. Then she washed her arm under the cold water. It stung and she kept it under the stream longer than necessary. Finally, Pucca wrapped clean bandages around her arm and tied it off using her teeth. When her uncles did get home in the wee hours of the morning, Pucca was already asleep in her bed with the scissors back in their draw.

...

Pucca worked in her uncles' restaurant for a few days straight after this, despite their clear protests. Pucca stated that she needed the distraction. After all, her exam results were still being processed and she made her case that all she'd do if she stayed home would stew and worry. Her uncles knew how much getting into a university aboard meant to their niece and so they obliged but warned her that if she showed any signs of stress that they would send her home immediately. Pucca agreed to the terms.

Today, Ching tried to visit Pucca at the restaurant. Pucca served her as she would any other customer and refused to engage in any conversation. Ching was desperate and had even began following Pucca around on her deliveries. Pucca eventually lead her to a quiet corner of the restaurant.

"Enough, Ching. If you're not ordering anything, go home."

"But Pucca, we need to-"

"Actually, no we don't." Pucca rested her hands on her hips. "We don't need to do anything anymore. You hear me?"

Ching grabbed her friend's hand. Pucca attempted to shake her off but she held on like Pucca was the final life jacket on a sinking ship.

"I just want to help you, Pucca!"

"I don't need help. Least of all from you."

Ching's eyes watered and Pucca let out a heavy breath. Ching's fingers pinched the soft material of Pucca's long sleeves. "Pucca, please? Just talk to me."

Pucca rolled her eyes. "And what good will that do, exactly?"

"It will… It will…" Pucca waited expectedly. "It's what best friends should do! We share our troubles and you – YOU –" Ching pointed her finger in Pucca's face, "You are very troubled." Pucca knocked the accusing hand away from her with a tut.

"That's not very nice, Ching."

"And this isn't very you, Pucca." Her retort wasn't very strong and it caused her cheeks to burn. She gripped her friend's arm with bruising strength. "Just give me five minutes? Please, Pucca. That's all I ask."

Pucca watched her friend's face crumble at her resilience. She casted her eyes skywards. "… Okay." Ching bounded on her feet. "Five minutes. Only five minutes." Ching nodded enthusiastically.

Pucca lead them both outside of the restaurant after calling to her uncles she was taking a quick break with Ching. Her uncles were very cheerful about the idea – they hadn't seen Ching in the past few days and figured the girls had some catching up to do.

Pucca leaned against the wall and pursed her lips. "Alright. Speak."

Ching's mind betrayed her and her mouth popped open without anything prepared. She knew she what she wanted to say to Pucca but now she had the time – a very limited amount of time – all of these things drained from her head. "Erm…"

Pucca's face grew darker.

"Eh…. Well…" Ching scratched the back of her neck. "You see…"

"Forget it. This is a waste of time."

Ching seized Pucca's arm as she went to walk past her. "No! No, wait. Wait." Pucca tried to release Ching's clutch on her arm. "Please just let me think. I- I just didn't know how to start, is all." Pucca stopped struggling. "I… I've really missed you Pucca. And I know I haven't been the friend I needed to be." Ching's hands lost some of its strength, "I should have asked you why you were acting this way. I shouldn't have left you alone at the party." She peered up at her friend's face to gauge her reaction. "I don't know what happened between you and Garu that day, but Pucca – Pucca, it's not worth it. He's not worth it." She suddenly threw her arms around Pucca. "Don't let this ruin our friendship. Please talk to me again." She nestled her head into Pucca's shoulders. Pucca kept her hands by her sides. "Please trust me again."

Pucca felt her bandaged hand twitch. She bit her lip and looked down at her friend, brows upturned. She swallowed hard and was about to say… something, when she caught sight of movement. Pucca's gaze grew extremely icy all of a sudden and she jerked away from Ching's warm embrace. Ching's bewildered expression was met by an equally hostile one. "Trust you? Not likely a mistake I'd make twice." Ching couldn't believe her eyes as Pucca brushed past her frozen figure. She turned to watch her friend walk away, again, and her eyes welled. The she, too, noticed their audience whom was quickly closing the space between them.

Abyo pulled Ching into a hug and yelled over her head at her apparent best friend, "You've changed, Pucca. So much I can't even look at you! You've became, became – you're just a bitch." Pucca stopped and glared over her shoulder. "Yeah, I said it!" Pucca turned to the side. "You can be an awful person to me but Ching doesn't deserve any of this. She's been there for you since day one! You ungrateful cow." Abyo was breathing heavily at this point, his bellowing clamed as Ching forced her way out from under Abyo's arms. She stepped closer to Pucca.

"No, Pucca, he doesn't mean it!"

"I fucking do," Abyo growled. His fists were braced at his sides.

"Pucca, please, just try to listen to us. Let us talk about it, ple-" Ching grabbed Pucca's arm again and Pucca's patience snapped. I'm sick of people manhandling me! She shoved Ching as hard as she could. Ching fell. Hard. There was an audible tare and the scene before them was one of shock.

Ching gaped up at her friend. Or, more precisely, at the arm that was now free against the elements. She felt her heart squeeze painfully as she eyes the numerous marks that bore into the white flesh. She felt nauseous. Oh… god.

Pucca brought her arm to her chest protectively. She backed up till she turned and sprinted back into the night with impressive speed.

Ching looked down at the piece of cloth she still clung to. Abyo knelt by her side. Her knuckles turned white. Oh… god.

"Call Garu."

Yes! Call Garu - our girl needs a god damn miracle at this point. Jesus, Pucca.

On a side note, what do you think's happening to our sweet Pucca? Can you guess where this is going, by any chance?