[He makes a wheezing sound against his pillow that might just be a laugh.]

Not from this, I think.

[He is more clever than she thinks he is. He knows this, and closes his eyes.]

A modicum of mercy often seems better than none. You must feel-- [He gasps silently to fill his lungs, muscles turning taught with the pain that shudders through him.] --much less the monster for your show of compassion.