Damage to the Husk rarely affects the True Self. It takes a severe blow to bleed through and actually hurt you.

  That isn't to say damage to the Husk isn't dangerous. If your Husk is hurt badly enough you can end up unresponsive until it dies and collapses on its own or you find someone well enough versed in Husk repair to heal you or break you out of it.

  ~ * ~

  Rushing forward Seb caught Lisa before she fell as well, wrapping his arm around her unharmed side to keep her upright. Focus Lisa, you have to focus. Stay with me. Even though she didn't answer he could tell she'd heard him when her eyes focused on his face.

  Seb looked down at the guard sprawled on the ground. He was still breathing, his head flopping slightly to the side. There were no marks on him, at least nothing beyond the likely bruise he would have on the back of his skull. Even in his unconscious state he still seemed angry, a hint of tension around his eyes.

  Turning them both away from the guard he did his best to keep from jarring her too much as he led her step by slow step to the far end of the alleyway and around the corner. Thankfully the alleyway ran along the side of his apartment building, the front door barely a dozen feet from them. He was unlocking the door and pulling it open when he felt her focus fading away again. LISA!

  Don't call me that, please don't call me that name. Pain, both physical and emotional, flooded through the band but with it came renewed focus and awareness. The struggle to get her safely up the stairs and down the hall to his apartment door left in a state of near panic. The moment the door swung shut behind them he all but carried her across the room to guide her onto the couch. Bending in front of her he unzipped her boots and set them on the floor before running into his bedroom.

  You need to drop your Husk, you need to go back to your True Self before the injuries get worse. He sent to her even as he came back into the room with a blanket. Stepping over to her side he covered her with it as best he could. At the mental sense of refusal he continued, not giving her a moment to argue or disagree. I'm the only one here, there's no one else. You're under a blanket, I can only see your face. You need to drop the Husk. I'll never call you Lisa again just as long as you drop the Husk!

  For a moment he worried that she had lost too much focus, that she wasn't going to register the meaning of his words. Then he heard her gasp in relief and he let out the breath he'd been holding as the blood on her cheek gave way to unbroken flesh. Give me a minute and I'll find something.

  Rushing back to his room he came back out less than a minute later with a baggy dark grey sweatsuit. It was oversized on him so it would be ridiculously large on her but at least it would cover her head to toe. He set it on the couch next to her before turning away. Here, put this on and then we need to get going.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Lisa grabbed the clothes and ducked under the blanket. She spent a few moments shifting around in silence before managing to straighten and sit up and pull the pants on. Seeing her boots she pulled them on, glad he had guessed she was barefoot and anticipated the need. Her cheek was already bruising and she was favoring her side but thankfully her arm was back in one piece. Thank you. But what-, how?

  Seb was already back in his room tossing clothing onto the bed before he realized it might seem as if he was ignoring her. Sorry, trying to get enough clothes together for a few days. I told you I see Energy patterns on Husks right? As he felt her agreement he continued. I also can, if I get the chance to focus without interruption, see where the weak points are and how they can be used to collapse the Energy flow. What I showed you were the spots that would crash his Husk.

  Grabbing a duffle bag from his closet he tossed necessities in before folding a polo, a couple t-shirts and a few pairs of slacks onto the top. He thought about grabbing his laptop before deciding against it. Work was caught up and he was sure he'd be able to survive a day or two without it. A couple steps into the bathroom and he grabbed toiletries off the counter, sticking them into the side pocket without any effort to ensure they were properly stored. After one last lingering pause he zipped it up and went back to the main room.

  He could feel she was still confused about what had happened as he came out with a packed bag, wound up but doing his best to take the moment to explain. Think of it like the electricity grid. If the wrong places overload, or the wrong wires are cut, the whole system will not only go down it will need extra repairs.

  So when I hit him in those spots it broke his Husk?

  Short term. If we're lucky we still have 5-10 minutes to get out of the area before he wakes up. But we have to go.

  Where?

  Seb froze midway through sliding her formal jacket between the bag straps, he'd been thinking about them getting away, not where to get away to. Your place? Assuming the guards don't know where you live. Hearing his own mental words he coughed and tried again. I mean, would you be safe in your apartment? You need to get your Husk fixed but I don't know where to go to do that except maybe back to the Holding. I can take you there if you want.

  No, I'm not going back to the Holding tonight. I- we should be safe at my apartment, my agreement with the Sovereign is that my location is private. Seb started to object but she spoke over him. You saved me and got me out of there. He might not be sure who you are but I doubt he'll let you get away if he ever finds out.

  With a nod Seb held out his hand, her phone in it. Then let's go. Call that taxi and we'll be gone the moment it arrives.

  After a moment Lisa pushed to her feet, looking at the blanket for a moment before dropping it onto the couch and taking her phone. Thank you. I know I said it when I dropped my Husk, but I don't know what would have happened if-

  I'm sure you would have helped me if the positions were reversed, he interrupted as he picked up his bag and opened the apartment door. Sorry, I get a little short when trying to figure out how to fix a problem. And this is a problem.

  She considered his words as she followed him into hall. Would she have stepped in for a stranger? She wanted to believe she would have.