Serena didn't even have time to cry out before he grabbed her. Eyes wide and terrified she trembled in his grip before he suddenly released her. She slumped to the floor, staring up at him, fingers hesitantly rising to the bruises she was sure were forming on her neck.
Yowling and hissing, three cats came tearing into the room, fur on end and teeth bared. Suddenly snapping back to herself, Serena managed to grab them before they went for him with their claws. "Hey, hey, stop that! It was an accident, he didn't hurt me!"
She looked up at him, offering a small, shaky smile and repeating, "He didn't hurt me."