Philip Shaw opened his eyes and glanced at her: "Go and get me a glass of water."
Aldana Candi groped her way into the kitchen.
Philip Shaw watched her back, then slowly raised his hand to look at his injured wrist.
The wound had clotted, and the blood had stopped flowing.
He sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
After a while, he reached out and forcefully tore at the clotted wound until fresh blood oozed out again. Only then did he lean against the sofa, waiting for Aldana Candi to bring him water.
His thoughts drifted in the lonely darkness. The soft sound of boiling water came from the kitchen, and he imagined Aldana Candi bustling around to boil water for him, a warmth gradually spreading in some part of his body, thawing the coldness that had gripped him for years.
He leaned back against the sofa with his eyes closed, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
*
Aldana Candi came over with a cup of warm water.
