Eureka
Harker didn't know what came over him. But he ended up listening to this madman's stories in the middle of the night, out in the cold winter where monsters were lurking every corner.
Blank was finished, and gestured that they sit together since this would be a long one. Harker agreed wordlessly, his eyes tired and heavy. They managed to twist around on the ropes until they were side by side instead of back to back as Blank told his teacher's tale.
"He became a teacher at my school when I was 14 years old. One year before I left."
Blank began, smiling fondly at the memory. "He taught us different sciences. Science of the human body, science of the animals and plants, science of the planets and stars..."