I still held her in my arms, feeling my shirt grow damp as she trembled inconsolably. I didn't need to activate my ability to understand her feelings; feeling her this distraught and hearing every one of her words cut through my soul, making my heart ache.
"Do you hate me now? I... I'm dirty," she murmured with a broken voice, trying to pull away from my grip once more.
I held her more firmly, but gently. "You're not dirty, Lira. You could never be. You're the purest, cleanest thing I've ever known."
She insisted, her body tense. "Yes, I am. Those animals... they contaminated me."
"Don't say that. You're the cleanest, most beautiful thing that exists. You will never be dirty, believe me. You're the happiest, prettiest, kindest person I've ever met."
No matter how many times I repeated it and tried to keep her from feeling that way, it was as if my words weren't reaching her, making me feel more and more rage toward those damned animals.
