*Hell changes everything. There was a time when when Beauty would have thought the touch of any young man scandalous. To be so bold as to touch a princess without even so much as a by your leave. But here and now she is grateful for the contact and the compassion that accompanies it. She can feel her strength fading, feel her death looming and somehow knowing that it is only temporary does nothing to make it less terrifying. Hal has put her into a more comfortable position even as he is beset with his own forestation. But even so she can feel the stalk growing again, determined to find its way to the light. She has been pulling as best she can at the rest, but it is this one that truly terrifies her. The shoot continues pushing up her trachea even as the roots are splintering her lungs.*

Do not leave me promise, nothing is permanent here not even death. Only torment is eternal here and to be alone and wandering is the worst torture of all.

*She is choking again the plant is more than visible making its insidious appearance as she begins to gag and claw at the ground. It continues until the shoot has grown enough for her to take hold of, she has ceased to give attention to the rest of the the thicket issuing from her chest and torso. She grasps it firmly and yanks with all her strength. Resistance, then a horrid tearing sound and a long stalk breaks free with a hint of root attached accomponied by a gush of blood. She collapses onto the dirt, her eyes wide, mouth open and trickling blood, her body still.*