I think it is time now.

Your fingers grip tight around the throat. Joints tense, hard. Tighter. Tighter.

The pulse you feel under your palm and along your fingers races. There is a sharp jabbing pain spread over the back of your hand and wrist, but it is quickly dulled, dimming, dimming like the pulse, then gone.

You release your hold and it falls. A soft sound. No echo.

Your hand is red.