the wound on her side had yet to close-it 'd be several hours before she healed completely . that , of all things , must be right . i needed to be a part of this . he scanned the dusty area around them . i did n't apply the r word to what had happened to me because that was too much reality for me to handle . she crossed her arms , as if trying to close herself off from the memory . she tried , but he obviously was n't ticklish . but that was n't why he was smiling . 