"I am sorry…" Sister Agnes sobbed in her hands. She was still sitting on the sofa. Her tea was sitting on the table, untouched. Around her, Sally and Kyle were slumped in their seats. Their cups were lying on the ground, their contents spilled on the red carpet.
She raised her head and stared ahead at Jinn, who was now leaning back in his chair, his head hanging on the armrest. Just like the others, he was breathing evenly, but Jinn too was unconscious.
"I am sorry…" She repeated herself, her red eyes burning with purpose and fear. "But I have to do this. There is no other way."
Her voice cracked, rising and falling as if she were caught between laughter and tears. She looked at the unconscious faces around her—Sally with her cheek pressed against the armrest, Kyle's arm dangling off the chair, Jinn slumped like a rag doll—and a hollow smile crept onto her lips.
