[Vander considered that, and he had seen starvation enough in his lifetime to know it was an unpleasant death. It was an excellent way to make someone feel weak, to feel their body slowly dying all around them. It also verified something he had been wondering.]

I wonder who he pissed off to earn being chained up and not just fed to the desert. Of course, that strengthens Aurora's concern that death is permanent here, so we had best stay in the land of the living.

[He flicked ash off the end of his cigarette out of habit, following her gaze towards the desert. He tilted his head and closed his eyes, listening intensely.]

What weapons did you bring with you? [In case this came to a fight.]