“aren’t you afraid?” he frowned, peering into her face. “they’re always afraid. they always beg, always plead. why is it that you do not beg?”

she looked up at him through her blackened eyes. “you want me to beg?” now something resembling sympathy danced in his pupils as he stared at her.

“please,” she whispered, leaning closer to the blade. “do it.” his eyes then raked over her face as he stepped back, pulling the blade away.