That one hurt. He ignores the blood pooling at one side of his teeth as he struggles to hold her, the iron taste keeping him grounded in reality; at least it wasn't a drill in the leg, he thinks morbidly. All he can really do is keep her here, wait for the hopes that she'll wind down from weariness, if not clarity. Not high hopes, but still.

He can only reply between her screams, closing his eyes, waiting for another swing should she want to panic and flail again. "It's not your fault. It's not. I'm here because I'm shit at running away; you didn't do anything--it was all me--"

His jaw hurts like a bitch.

"I haven't give up yet, just like you said! I'm still here, Annie! We're both still here, so we don't have to forgive each other just yet."