It feels real. Her skin is slick with blood, and the edges of the wound gap slightly with the pressure of his fingers. She sucks in a quick breath of surprise at his touch.

"They eat fear," Yelena says. "Not pain. This is...better than it was before. I think one of the medics got caught here, before I was able to start controlling it. I'm okay with hurting if it means no one has to live the worst of my nightmares. And if it means I can build a trap for the Lullaby Girl."