"You have a flush. "I'm taking deep breaths." He grabbed my wrist, pushed his index finger to my pulse point, and counted the seconds on his watch. "Your pulse rate is high."

I had no notion my wrist was an erogenous zone, but every inch of my flesh felt that way in Carl's hands. I took a deep breath. "I'm experiencing an emotional response to things."

As he led me backwards toward a wall, his face was both corrupt and triumphant. He pretended to be concerned. "Do you know what's causing it?"

He wasn't being honest, but I appreciated it. "No... Doctor," I say.

We exploded into flames the moment...