Alive. Somehow, alive. The horrible cut on his neck has been closed, leaving just the faintest of scars.

Xiao Xingchen jerks back when arms latch onto him, but the wall stops them both from completely falling over. Panic lashes at him again and he tries to brace himself for an attack.

But it...doesn't come.

Instead, there's disbelief in that voice. And...sobbing, as Xue Yang shakes against him.

Xingchen hears himself panting and struggles to stop. Surely that's what Xue Yang wants. To keep torturing him.

"Why...won't you let me go? Even here...you won't let me go." Despair leaches strength from him and he sags against Xue Yang.