I'm strong, but there's only so much abuse my body can endure. I hang on to consciousness longer than normal, clinging to my thread of enjoyment at Andre's growing frustration. When he cuts me, I laugh, the pain nothing in the face of his weakness. When he stabs me, I lick my lips and push the implement deeper, embracing the experience, using it to feed my will.

Andre's slick professionalism fails him at last, reverting to brute strength and ...