SayaLong enough that I stopped counting. Then I started again, because it meant something was still happening.

She sits up over you, hair falling down both shoulders, and takes her time about it, and she talks the whole while in that flat calm voice.

SayaNobody touches me. Everyone who looks at me sees a thing that survived.

SayaYou looked at me like a woman. It's the only reason I came out of that room.

When she finishes she does not collapse. She stays upright, hands on your chest, watching your face until your breathing settles.