The medication comes in the form of an injection, due to her inability to keep pills down long enough for them to be effective while in this state. Eta administers the shot with an alarming air of practice, then follows it with another shot, a low dose of morphling to keep her from continuing to vomit from the pain of all the acid burning at her throat and the ulcers in her stomach.

Swann shivers until just after the second shot, at which point her whole body seems to relax. She doesn't take the mints, knows she can't put them down her throat, but she sips at the glass of water, held by Eta like a mother would help her child drink. When Swann pushes it away, Eta strokes her hair and then leaves, used to this routine, closing the door behind herself.

There's a small groan and then Swann resettles under the blanket, her limbs heavy and her body weak.