Abstinence was driving Seth up a slippery, steep wall.
The small satisfaction when the natural needs of his body were driving him harder the longer they were together, was no longer there.
Melody moved to another room. She wouldn't even look into his eyes or care that he was dying inside for the love of her.
Seth's frustrations built over time and they were getting harder for Tiger to ignore.
Melody grew restless with time too. Still no nightmares but the intense distress whenever she was faced with symbolic reminders of the trauma did not relent. Sometimes they were bearable and swift, other times slow and insidious and threatening.
It was easy to carry on with this self-imposed celibacy but it was better than getting hurt every week and waking up in a hospital bed, probably after being knocked out for two to three days.
