Hair clung to them as they moved, but in ever-thinning quantities, until the strands were easy to break as they dashed for the exit. It might have been encouraging for the patients: except that the reason it was disappearing was because of where it was disappearing, thick wads of it clawing down Alphonse's throat and into his body, strands seeking entrance even through his nose and eyes.

By the time the patients escaped, it would all be gone: but the darkness had found its place in a victim, even if he could breathe again, and it would not be gone for long.