Too late for bargaining. This doesn't stop Dustin from trying, desperately grasping for something that will divert Wilson's curiosity elsewhere.
"--Water composition! Fascinating." He's babbling. This is humiliating, but he won't have the chance to feel embarrassed for himself if he's dead. Dustin breaks into a cold sweat. "I've developed test strips before, you know? I-I could--I know a guy, he's worked with the local flora a lot, we could talk with him and figure out a good source of lit--Gak!"
Wilson's claw presses against Dustin's throat hard, making him choke on whatever other drivel he was about to spew out, and immediately he knows this is the end. There was so much more he wanted to do with his life - have his own research published, sell his own patents, crack the secrets of his abilities and figure out what happened to his birth parents - you know, normal regrets for a 16-year-old staring death in the face. All of that potential, wasted. Dustin squeezes his eyes shut and waits.
...And waits...
Realizing suddenly that he's been holding his breath, Dustin shakily exhales. It comes out through his mouth instead of the hole that should be in his windpipe. His eyes blink open.
At first he thinks this is a joke - one of Wilson's 'tests' that has been taken to a deranged extreme. But it sounds like the shade is just as baffled by this outcome as Dustin is. His body is boneless as Wilson shoves him, yet in spite of everything, he can't stop the toothy, almost hysterical grin that's splitting his face. Taking credit for this would be the most effective solution to any further problems here, and it would be so easy. However, that would require setting up a lie, which Dustin will not do. Instead, he plays on something that he can't directly prove yet but is still entirely plausible: That the Agrii got involved somehow.
"...Guess I'm more useful alive than dead after all, hmm?" he mocks, unable to stop himself from somewhat copying Wilson's lilting tone of voice.
no subject
"--Water composition! Fascinating." He's babbling. This is humiliating, but he won't have the chance to feel embarrassed for himself if he's dead. Dustin breaks into a cold sweat. "I've developed test strips before, you know? I-I could--I know a guy, he's worked with the local flora a lot, we could talk with him and figure out a good source of lit--Gak!"
Wilson's claw presses against Dustin's throat hard, making him choke on whatever other drivel he was about to spew out, and immediately he knows this is the end. There was so much more he wanted to do with his life - have his own research published, sell his own patents, crack the secrets of his abilities and figure out what happened to his birth parents - you know, normal regrets for a 16-year-old staring death in the face. All of that potential, wasted. Dustin squeezes his eyes shut and waits.
...And waits...
Realizing suddenly that he's been holding his breath, Dustin shakily exhales. It comes out through his mouth instead of the hole that should be in his windpipe. His eyes blink open.
At first he thinks this is a joke - one of Wilson's 'tests' that has been taken to a deranged extreme. But it sounds like the shade is just as baffled by this outcome as Dustin is. His body is boneless as Wilson shoves him, yet in spite of everything, he can't stop the toothy, almost hysterical grin that's splitting his face. Taking credit for this would be the most effective solution to any further problems here, and it would be so easy. However, that would require setting up a lie, which Dustin will not do. Instead, he plays on something that he can't directly prove yet but is still entirely plausible: That the Agrii got involved somehow.
"...Guess I'm more useful alive than dead after all, hmm?" he mocks, unable to stop himself from somewhat copying Wilson's lilting tone of voice.