the nagging voice in the back of her head did n't ease her worry that this entire plot could blow up in her face . swan was helpless but not yet hopeless . i get up from the floor , stepping across the game board to join her at her desk . a long , long time had passed since a man 's anything had been near them . `` please , '' the boy said , his voice ragged and scratchy , still high pitched due to his youth , `` no more . '' 