[ The flickering of Carolina's shield doesn't alert Maine the way that it ought to. He's not thinking about the shield itself. It's nothing but an obstacle in his way, something to batter down no matter how much the impact makes his shoulders ache. The pain barely registers: it's unimportant. All that matters is getting to his enemy. All that matters is taking out the threat.
He rams the shield one last time — and this time, it falls. Carolina falls. Maine's momentum carries him forward, and he falls, too. Accelerated reflexes kick in: he turns what should be a face plant into a roll, and he comes up crouched beside Carolina's head.
It's a good thing that he's crouched. If he weren't, he would bring his boot up and try to stomp on her face. But he is crouched, and so he doesn't aim what could be a killing blow. Instead, Maine starts getting back to his feet — can't be down; can't be vulnerable — and he brings Carolina with him. Grabs her by the front of her shirt, drags her upright, and lifts her up into the air.
He's done this before. He knows that. He doesn't remember how it's haunted him. Doesn't remember how sick he felt, or how much self-loathing has been churning inside of him ever since. All he remembers is that he's done this before and that Carolina knocked him away with her shield.
He doesn't give her a chance to knock him away. Not this time. He brings his arm back, and then he throws her full-force against a wall. ]
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He rams the shield one last time — and this time, it falls. Carolina falls. Maine's momentum carries him forward, and he falls, too. Accelerated reflexes kick in: he turns what should be a face plant into a roll, and he comes up crouched beside Carolina's head.
It's a good thing that he's crouched. If he weren't, he would bring his boot up and try to stomp on her face. But he is crouched, and so he doesn't aim what could be a killing blow. Instead, Maine starts getting back to his feet — can't be down; can't be vulnerable — and he brings Carolina with him. Grabs her by the front of her shirt, drags her upright, and lifts her up into the air.
He's done this before. He knows that. He doesn't remember how it's haunted him. Doesn't remember how sick he felt, or how much self-loathing has been churning inside of him ever since. All he remembers is that he's done this before and that Carolina knocked him away with her shield.
He doesn't give her a chance to knock him away. Not this time. He brings his arm back, and then he throws her full-force against a wall. ]