A question for TTATTelder:
If you let them think they've saved you, won't that just re-start you back at square 1? When you continue to fade, you'll be right back on their radar again, so I guess I don't see what the advantage is to staying off the radar for a little while now, when it might be better to establish a pattern of not meeting with them. I would think (but could be completely wrong, and that's why I'm asking) that the elders would get to the point that they know you won't meet, so they won't try very hard when the CO comes by or whatever. If you let them think they've saved you, it seems like they'll be more likely to keep trying later on as you continue to fade.