A/N: Spoiler for The Mermaids Singing.
His fingers grab uselessly for a weapon; this is his only chance. If he cannot get out now then Angelica will kill him. Earlier, as he regained consciousness, he'd immediately accepted that he would do whatever it took to survive. The strength of his will to live had been somewhat surprising.
He turns as Angelica attacks; behind her, his rescuers swarm in but all he sees is Carol. Then her arms are around him and he realizes he made it after all.
And she's holding him tight, so tight it hurts to breathe, but that doesn't matter.
Because he's alive.