I use that anger, that heat in me, to focus on the task at hand. I go on slipping down, thanking my lucky stars for having been bandaged, which would cushion my fall.

As riveting as this exchange may be, I would rather stop hearing it, stop wondering what Vlad expects to get out of my boyfriend in exchange for my life. Don’t waste time listening to any of that, I tell myself. Just, do something. Anything. Escape. Really, in my present condition? Really. The moment is now. So don’t argue, don’t lose time on debating with yourself. I grit my teeth, straining…