"Are you seriously not just looking for an excuse to enjoy her?" one of the other men said.
"She is not needed," the first man replied coldly. "There is nothing left to squeeze out of this city. This place will soon turn into rubble. Even its city lord has abandoned it."
He then sat down heavily on Laura's stomach and grabbed her jaw, forcing her head still so she could not move.
"You know, Laura," he said mockingly, "your life would have been better if you had accepted the offer to go up there, to the floating island. You would be protected there. You could still heal those weak people you care so much about. Why did you choose to stay down here? You really are a foolish and naive woman."
Laura struggled with all her strength, her eyes red and filled with tears. She tried to fight back, but she was held down too tightly.
"People need me," she forced out through her pain.
