Chapter 10

Chapter 10: A Very Strange Friend

"I'm sorry," Altoz says. "For your brother, I mean."

"Don't worry about it," Balazs says. "I'm used to it. Actually, now that I think about it, I'm glad you're here. It means that you and I can talk about things that most people wouldn't understand."

"Like what?"

"Things like death and pain and suffering."

Altoz hesitates. "I don't really have anything to say about those. I lost a lot of family members when I was younger, but I don't think I ever really understood what it meant to suffer."

"Oh, you don't?" Balazs asks. "That's interesting. I mean, it's terrible to lose someone you love, but you've managed to avoid experiencing real grief. I'm impressed."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Balazs says. "Just forget I said anything."

Altoz feels himself getting angry.