For one awful moment the noose was pulled tight, biting into flesh and cutting off precious air. Then the killer's muscles relaxed and the wire let up. It still remained in place, posed to finish what it started.

"You were tha only one that weren't tainted... forced... by unnatural ways ta have a connection. Yer tha only one-" He was still angry. He couldn't keep it out of his voice if he tried. "-that I have ta wonder why instead of fightin' ta keep tha realities straight."