A combat doll.
It opens its eyes.
It doesn't know how long it's been out.
It remembers taking severe damage - but nothing that could be enough to put it down for good.
At least... That's what it thought. It shouldn't have been able to be knocked out.
It sits up.
It looks into the eyes of lifeless husks, dilated, staring, broken -
A combat doll that wakes up.
Its heart is pounding in its ears.
Arms wrap around it.
It throws them off.
It's not going to let them take it too.
It's going to -
its witch.
lies against.
the wall.
at a
wrong
angle.
its stomach
turns.
"Be still."
The voice of its witch.
It does as its commanded.
"Breathe with me."
It breathes.
It matches time with her breaths.
Her arms are still around it.
It didn't throw her.
It only imagined what would have happened if -
"Shhh... Don't think."
Its thoughts drift at her command.
Its breathing, shaking, shallow, becomes deep and steady.
Slowly.
Gradually.
It quivers in her embrace.
And
it
sobs.
"You're still a good doll."