The Quad // The Witcher

drowning // .01

>> "you know when you're drowning, you don't actually inhale until right before you black out"

"and why is that?" 

>> "the instinct to not let any water in is so strong that you won't open your mouth until you feel like your head's exploding"

>> "then when you finally let it in, that's when it stops hurting"

"mmm, and how are you doing, kovirian?" 

>> "i'm fine"

"are you?"

>> "yeah, aside from the not sleeping. the jumpiness" 

>> "the constant overwhelming crushing fear that something terrible is about to happen."

"it's called hypervigilance."

"the persistent feeling of being under threat."

>> "it's not just a feeling though.. it's.." 

>> "It's like it's a panic attack." 

>> "you know.. like I can't even breathe."

"like you're drowning?"

>> "yeah."

"so... if you're drowning.. and you're trying to keep your mouth closed until that very last moment."

"what if you choose not to open your mouth?"

"to not let the water in."

>> "you do anyway. it's a reflex."

"but.. if you hold off.. until that reflex kicks in.." 

"you'd have more time, right?"

>> "not much time."

"but more time to fight your way to the surface."

>> "i guess."

"more time to be rescued."

>> "more time to be in agonizing pain." 

>> "did you forget about the part where you feel like your head's exploding?" 

"if it's about survival.."

"isn't a little agony worth it?" 

>> "what if it just gets worse?"

>> "what if it's agony now and then.." 

>> "then it's just hell later on?"

"think about something that Winston Churchill once said." 

"if you're going through hell.." 

"keep going."