"This has gone quite far enough.
Poor, misguided child,
do you think you know better than I do?"
He had stopped responding over a day ago, stopped repeating any mantras to himself, the familiar dilated pupils and empty stare had become ever present. Sweat soaked and panting, he could only slump forward as far as the restraints allowed, as his hands, legs, and head were firmly set in place, the bonds just a little too tight, digging into the skin.
Poisons set in little crystal vials gleamed nearby , a few empty, "Feeling a little strange, are you–? —", he couldn't even keep track of the individual words themselves, aware that he was being spoken to, and listlessly responding, pulled deeper into what felt like icy water, falling into the depths as the bruising sensation of choking came over him, and he was unable to pull any air into his lungs. The hazy tinge as if he were in a walking dream returned in force. He was fevered, breath laborious, beginning to hyperventilate, though at last all vestiges of control he clung to had faded away, leaving emptiness. His mouth was far too dry, bits of caked blood flecked his lips behind the gag.
i.) it's all bad business all of it. and he understood, I know this. His mother repeated it, crossly, I'm listening, I know, she doesn't look the same, and she's gripping the table, choking. He runs to her, - 엄마 ?- she grabs at his hand and her touch is white hot, she's burning, spontaneously bursting into flames before his eyes, bubbling skin turns to ash and cinders, and he shakes free of her grasp, as a blackened skeleton grins from the fire. ' poor misguided child. poor confused boy. ' he's breathing in hot ash, burning his throat, dry lips crack, and death is following. a lake stretches out before him, cool and inviting. calm as the pond in his village. he should just float, relax. let go.
With a careless flick of his hand Long Feng released the restraints, which caused him to all but crumple over, stray bits of saliva mixed with blood falling from his lips where the gag had dug in, "Jet, the Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai."