[ it gets him square in the cheek, rooted as he is. he saw it coming. he could almost feel the movement of displaced air, but nothing could've made him budge at that moment. it hits with a resounding 'snap', and it's only then that he moves.
he staggers, stumbling back an extra few steps. a hand rises to press against the rising mark, and this time his immobility is more from the indecision whether to run or retort rather than from fear. ]