Ch. 19
The ice overtook him so quickly his feet almost gave beneath him. Jak watched in pure horror as Kanith's smile widened as the man watched Jak come to realization of what was about to happen. And his grin kept growing as he watched Jak realize he'd never be able to get there in time.
And suddenly the beginning came back to him in a more painful memory than he preferred to remember. The first time something like this happened. The first time Jak couldn't save him. The first time in a long line of events where he couldn't protect the person who was always with him. Who'd never left. Who'd never blamed him, for any of it.
And it was all about to end with the same thing. Funny, how history likes to repeat itself.
Kanith licked his lips slowly, as if trying to savor the helplessness in the air. "Jaaaak..." he murmured. "... Should I just... drop him in? Or... Let him in nice... and slow...?" The arm in which Kanith held the ottsel lowered slightly and Jak jumped forward.
"NO--!" Kanith suddenly burst into laughter dripping with acid.
"JAK! He's an animal now! You can't possibly see him as anything more..."
"Please--" Kanith's smile faltered. "--Don't drop him!" Kanith's smile returned. Jak was begging. And he was loving every minute of it. Unfortunately, time wasn't on his side, at this point in time.
Kanith shrugged. "Sorry, Jak. I just don't seem to have the time to humor you. Time to say you goodbyes, Jak." He suddenly looked at the dangling animal in his hand and smirked. "Goodbye, Daxter. It was nice knowing you for the short time I did. Would have been fun sifting through the Eco and seeing what you'd become on the other side." He shrugged again. "Oh well."
And he let go.