their words made sense individually , but not as a whole . each one was doing its own thing , while at the same time they all served the will of the whole . angrier than she 'd ever seen anyone in her life . she stood off to the side with wet hair , bruised and cut , but otherwise okay . `` many thanks , '' said the old man . i '' i dug my fingers into his neck . as he started to get up , she tightened her hand on his , keeping him in place . 