"Does it matter? There are scientists on the island who have created marvelous things so I hear. Ones who understand engineering, medicine, and things do have the habit of showing up. you say that, but have you really explored the option?"

I let my fingers dig a little deeper, looking for the knots in the stressed muscles. "I understand the need for pain, you know I do. The reminder that we live, that we exist, that we feel. But the ending of that pain is a reward of its own. There's no shame in admitting you've had enough, you need it to stop. There are some pains even I can't take for long." The image of the Mahgrkagir's little toys and how they made me scream, begging for mercy in a game in which I knew there was none to be had made me shiver a bit as I spoke. "You have the option of ending yours."