Frank's smile was not unkind, but it could hardly be called a smile. Jim put the knife aside, and that soft brush of lips ached through him for a moment. Alright. One more step, and that was it.

He would have preferred exchanging hideous memories.

"Yeah, you can say something ridiculous when I'm done with you," he assured. He didn't want to pick up the knife, but he knew it was the only way out. For a moment, at least, it was just the searing pain. That was easy to tune out.