[Stop saying that stop saying that stop talking don’t talk about it anymore (it will be okay) you can’t (it won’t) stop stop stop—

[And the ruminaiton only stops because, in just a flicker, Basil sees it. Can Kel see it, too? He’s so rarely slow with his words. He’s supposed to have bright, bright eyes. He’s not supposed to bleed.

[Basil stares at him, rigid and unblinking.]

Y…

You…

[He’s stopped tying his fingers in knots. That’s worse.]