[Ack. Yeah, Cole just read him like a book; he's definitely afraid of Cole looking too deeply into the source of Sorey's anxiety and pain and it hurting him somehow. That's just how malevolence works back home, and though he's pure now he's still not on stable ground. It's taking a lot of emotional and mental gymnastics to keep himself from slipping back into it.

Sorey leans forward, elbows on his knees, and scrapes his teeth over his lip. Will Cole feel better if Sorey gives him more detail? Anyone would, probably, if they've already said they want to help.]

Thanks, [he starts, fidgeting.] Uh, well...mostly I'm blaming myself, a lot. I know doing that won't help anybody in the end, least of all my friends, but it's very hard to stop myself. And...

[mine you're mine and I'll have you get back here don't go DON'T LEAVE ME

Sorey winces.]

I'm...trying not to think about what happened too closely. I'm afraid I'm- that I'm not ready to look at it yet. But if you need to know what happened, I can tell you.