"I felt the same way," Skulduggery admits. It's silly in hindsight, of course -- if anything like the Battle Royale occurred, he'd just be one more body on the pile. "Now I just feel silly for worrying. Which is probably the point."

Ugh. There really is no winning, sometimes. Especially not in this situation. "I'm sure that when the next sign-up sheet will be labeled 'Severe Distress' and I will, again, foolishly sign my name to the line."

What other choice is there?