[Anger dissipates. Outrage fades. Concerns and fears cease bubbling and boiling - his spirit and energy both satisfied by the presence of his first friend. It is difficult to marshal his thoughts on living again. Harder still to confess the truth. This man has borne enough misery without him throwing his own body onto the heap.

It is a stark truth he is better off lying to protect. He frowns and imagines ways to deceive and mislead - and promptly looks disgusted with himself. How is this any different from the deception he had fooled Hendrik with for years?]

Do you think you might feel generous enough to leave that question another day? You seek an answer I hardly know myself.