Winters pulled out a chair, intending to sit across from Anna.
"No." Anna looked down, her voice soft and calm, "You sit over here."
Winters awkwardly sat down on the bed, beside Anna.
They were a little distance apart, yet so close, close enough for Winters to feel Anna's body heat, close enough that Winters might have been scorched by the moonlight.
Anna silently placed her hand between them, and Winters instinctively held onto Anna's slender hand.
Anna's hand was very soft, burning hot. But it was thin, skin and flesh wrapping the bones, without the protection of calluses.
Winters even worried his hand might scratch Anna's.
Anna felt a sense of barrier too, which surprised and saddened her.
She had come to her lover's side, yet it seemed to push the distance between them further.
But at least they could feel each other, sitting silently, holding each other's hands.
Anna broke the silence in a whisper, "How's your leg? Does it hurt?"