'He's just trying to survive', she said, eyes asking, pleading. 'Please understand—you've got to.'

He slowly tipped his head, so his gaze could meet hers. Then he began to send her a message through his eyes, containing more than he had the strength to say.

He intended to convey a lot: scrolls and vinyl records of pain, and anger, confusion, and emotions which descriptions were unavailable for.

But then he coughed hard.

Conveyance broke, and his face melted into a puddle of capitulation.

'At the expense of another?'