Phantom Hollow Lose Your Head

As she watched, Mitanni couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. Judas may have spooked her from the start when she'd first met him, but he'd never really struck her as mentally unstable--at least not until he'd attacked. Now, however, she could see it so plainly. He changed, conversing with himself as both a repentant sinner and then a smug deviant, seamlessly alternating between the roles like a skilled performer. Only he wasn't performing. This was him, unguarded and open, unaware that he was being watched.

It was frightening. How had he managed to hide this for as long as he'd been with them? Why hadn't she been able to realize this was what had unsettled her about him all this time? She fidgeted, still warring with herself not to run away and hide from the world again and won, if only temporarily. This was important in knowing, important to understanding. She needed to know.

But she still wasn't prepared. The accusatory conversation Judas carried on with himself at last broke with a startling snarl as he leaped forward and attacked the half-eaten hare his gaze had been riveted on. Already as nervous as a cornered hare, the noise and reaction were enough to scare Mitanni into jumping, flinching, and shrinking back. As she did, she yelped, the sound drawn from her against her will, and as she quickly tucked herself out of sight she bit her lip and held her breath, now to keep herself from making any further noises as her injured leg protested the sudden movement she'd made. He didn't hear it, Mitanni told herself, pleading for it to be true, he doesn't know I'm here. Please don't let him know.