Chapter 4

"Robert." My voice was hoarse from my injured throat, but flat and lifeless as a stagnant pond. "Do you really think that unless I die right in front of you, it doesn't count as suffering?"

Robert froze for a second, clearly not expecting me to talk to him like this. "What's gotten into you now? Didn't I tell you to wait right there for me?"

He raised his voice, trying to hide how uneasy he felt. "I'd already sent a second rescue team down there. How was I supposed to know you'd take off like that?"

I didn't bother arguing…