n. clinches (plural noun) 1. a struggle or scuffle at close quarters, especially (in boxing) one in which the fighters become too closely engaged for full-arm blows. "breaking from a clinch, he crossed with his right" 2. an embrace, especially an amorous one. "we went into a passionate clinch on the sofa" [Chapter 190]

Both his hands are a shaking circle around its throat. He can't kill it, but he wants to. (Chapter 63-centric, character study.)

To what depths must one sacrifice for the greater good?