"It wanted to hurt you," he said hollowly, his hands reaching up to curl around Jamie's wrists. There was a worrying moment where he felt nothing at all, his ears ringing and his heart hammering in his chest, then the taunt string inside of him snapped and he let out a sound that was equal parts hysterical laughter and relieved sob.

"It was going to hurt you," he said more fiercely, because he'd known it. The look in the creature's eyes had told him everything. It wanted Jamie, not him, and it would've dragged him away somewhere. Forever.

Outside the door, there was a thundering rush of footsteps. The door banged open and two volunteers, along with one of the full time caretakers, bustled inside. There was a lot of shouting then, a lot of shrieking and worry and hands touching them both, but all Eddie could see was Jamie.