“[i]I’m, I’m what?”[/i] The boy stammered in shocked disbelief, wiide eyes twisting about to try see over his back still. Panic slowly settling in as the colour drained from his face.

[i]”w, what is it? Get it it out. Get it out.”[/i] his voice was low but rushed, with a quiver to its edge as he fought to remain calm.

“[i]Just do it please![/i]”

He turned to face his back to Lavender and hunched forward, a gasp of pain accompanying his movement. The small patch of blood around the piercing splinter was starting to set in as it grew steadily more and more prominent, glistening in the torchlight.