[ Seeing the unmistakable effect he's had on Liem, and all for nothing, Matt's heart drops. If only Paul were here, with his unassailable gentleness and fount of words. He'd be able to show Liem the right facet of all this--the path through the darkness that they're heirs to.

Matt says softly: ]

I shouldn't have said that.

[ He lurches to his feet. He feels awful--nearly as disoriented as if he were the one who'd downed a dose of black sludge. For a moment, he regards Liem helplessly, like the other man is a mess Matt's made but doesn't know how to clean up. ]

It isn't beyond you, [ he says finally, despairingly. ] I'm sorry I can't explain it right.

[ Matt swallows. ]

I'm gonna go. Please eat something. And use the blankets ... it's cold in here.

[ He turns to go. ]