[The admission, the sudden intensity, shocks him. He meets her eyes, and the stare shocks him even more. He feels ten years old again; Hell, he’s nearly trembling.

[He hates Grisha too, doesn’t he? Yet, he still tries to shake his head; he doesn’t quite make it.

[He doesn’t know what to say. The tears flow ever harder, his lips trembling like he really is a child. His voice comes out weak.]

I know, but…

[It had to be done. He made him.]

Because…you’re right. If he hadn’t, then I never would have…

That’s why he…had to…

[Why is he defending him? That damn coward. Why does he want him to be a victim so badly?]

It’s…awful. I know…

[”Why didn’t he resist? Why didn’t he even try?]