🎀!!

[ The pain is getting worse, tightening, sharpening--coming to a head outside of his head. Can he feel it because of the way Harlan's brought it to focus? Or has Harlan's focus drawn the attention of the creature stitching him back together, speeding the process? Whichever feeds the other, the edge is brighter and clearer, and closer by the moment. ]

Harlan. [ Reedy thin. He's in control. He has to get control. He has to wake up. ] Harlan, Harlan-- [ At the far reaches of his consciousness, he can feel his fingers. Quentin wavers. ] Harlan, I'm waking up.

[ In the final swell, the line drops dead. When Quentin wakes up, his hands are shaking. ]