--I know. I do intend to try. And I... know I cannot do that if anything happens to me, but I still...

[he shakes his head, takes in and slowly exhales a long breath to steady and center himself. being emotional won't get him anywhere.]

You may be right. I might be able to claim an attack-- I can ask the person who helped with these injuries to say I have trouble walking because of that instead. If you or someone I trust checks me privately, we can claim there are no suspicious wounds... and I can also try faking the chill I received last week to remain covered up. Past that, I... do you have any other suggestions?