Tiger Food?

It was dead and yet the woman continued to shake the beast at her paws. Seconds of reality slipped into her consciousness. Aware of Hay's assistance, the arrival of Ears, voices… Bellamy's ears were pinned, jaws clamped like a vice around the other predator. Don't let go. Don't let it rise. Her nostrils flared, tears slipping down her cheeks… she trembles. She kept her hold as if, the moment she let go, Hay would be in danger. All of them would be in danger. Shadows danced in her mind… memories… screams. She squeezed her eyes shut. Stop… A tiny voice within her pleads. She whines, releasing the tiger at last, taking shakey steps back.

Bellamy panted, opening her eyes. Dorian is the first thing she sees, his worried expression. Bellamy's breath catches in her throat, slipping back into reality. Her head whips around. Ears, Gav, James, Whiskers, Haydee… the woman exhales the heavy breath she didn't know she was holding and sank to the earth. Bellamy draws in deep breaths, trying to process the event… where she was. The reaction… the woman shakes her head back and forth as if she is trying to clear a fog and focuses back on her son. Her green gaze softens, the tender look of a mother her child would be more familiar with.

"Dori…" She speaks the nickname quietly. She lays her head down in the grass, keeping her eyes open, keeping them on her son. Everyone is safe… thank the Divinities. The tears well up even more as Bellamy's expression wavers between relief and sorrow. Ears frowns, speaking up again on behalf of Dorian and the words he spoke Bellamy missed the first time. "Your son wants to patch up your wounds, is that alright?" For the Devil, his tone is softer. It was happening again… Bellamy slipping. He glanced to Whiskers. The trigger seemed more likely to occur in high stress situations, when those she cared for could be in jeopardy. She lost herself… but only wanted to protect them…

Bellamy drew in a breath, trying to steady herself. Her babies needed her. She gives an awkward smile through her tears. "You can do that on your own? You're learning so much…" She shivers again. "Go ahead sweetheart. Show me what you've learned. Mama needs… to rest for a few minutes." She closes her eyes. Would the kids have questions about what happened…? How was this event going to affect their psyches?

Despite the tiger being slain… the weight of its presence weighed down on the Leader like a mountain.

She had to do better.

She would do better.

I can't lose them…