"To hang myself with it. What else?" I reply, rolling my eyes. It's a defensive reaction because I don't want to deal with him right now. Not with someone who inadvertently saw so much of the information I try to keep hidden. And especially now that I know what's happened to him.

It makes me feel sympathy for the scared child huddled under the bed. It makes me want to care. That's dangerous.

But he's making a fuss, so I tug twice on the rope and it releases the noose. "Are you happy? There are easier ways to die."