[ He hadn't always glued himself to Avery's shadow, over the long years. Though such occasions were rare, he'd slink off to other places, somewhere where he couldn't be seen, only barely sensed.

Even without his mind operating in any sort of functioning state, some kind of tiny pilot light of what was probably consideration had driven him away, like an animal instinctively driven to hide and lick its wounds.

The screams had echoed, despite his best efforts. ]

As you've told me before, repeatedly. [ He shakes his head with a sigh. ]

I don't know why I kept going along with all your terrible ideas. I think that just encouraged you to be more reckless.