Until it hurts

It was like

   yanking on a pulley rope
   pulling a threaded seam
   drawing back a bow

trembling
taut
uncertain

he drew up the corners of his mouth to try a smile.

and again.
Hold fast, damn you.

so afraid that

   the rope would slip
   the thread would break
   the arrow would fly

his image would rip.

Nothing underneath but

damage
destruction
death

Dean.