"Gh–" Martin struggled against a thick feeling in his throat, giving out a frustrated howl to clear it. It broke off sharply short of a real end, his breath hitched in a gasp and a cough. There was the impulse there to do just that – make the bad stuff get out and go away, but it wouldn't happen. It hadn't happened for a long time. Dry, empty coughing, and a stomach never to be settled.

It was maddening.

And now what? Voices? His head snapped up, squinting in the light and finding the shape. He bristled, feeling a fresh, hot flash of anger. His lips drew back and bared uneven, still-growing teeth. Sharp.

"Oohstavi," he drawled, staggered in another rasp. "Oohst--lrrh...leave me...alone...! LEAVE ME ALONE!"