I didn't say anything, and he started losing it. "If you don't come back, I'll cancel your card! You'll be out there alone, and if you die, nobody's coming to claim your body!"

That's when I started laughing again. Tears were running down my face, but I was laughing because it was just... ridiculous. After everything they'd done, after all the abuse, that was what we'd end up with: they wanted me back but threatened me if I didn't.

And I finally said it. "What a pity. Sorry, Dad, but I don't save devils."

And I hung up. It was the bravest thing I'd done in years.