I couldn’t help but smile at him. “Are you feeling better now?”

He returned a toothy smile that was somehow warm instead of terrifying. “Much better, yes.”

“Good.” I almost stopped there, but I felt compelled to go on. “Look, I know I’ve said I’m sorry. Sorry for what we did to you, sorry for everything you went through. But I want you to know that I mean it. Fuck, more than anything in my life, I wish I could take all of that back.”

Harvey nodded. “I believe you. I’m sorry for your regret and pain. But that pain isn’t the price. Part of the price was what you did in there. Helping me balance things with Rusty. The other part…well, it is up to you if you want to pay it.”

I frowned. “I told you I’ll pay whatever price you think is fair. I know I deserve it.”

The rumble that might have been a chuckle rose in his throat again. “Hear what it is first, then decide.” When I nodded, he went on. “Your sadness and regret are based on what you know. But there is much you do not know. I can show you everything that Rusty did that I remember. I can show you what my time in that circle was like. You will know and feel it as profoundly as if it were your own memories, and unlike some memories, these will not fade with age. Or you can choose not to see those things and go your own way.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean, ‘go my own way’?”

“Tommy, you are my friend. But the love of friendship is a precious thing. It must be paid for just like everything else. If you are willing to see the rest, the whole truth, we will remain friends forever. I will be going back to my land soon, but it may be that our paths would still cross from time to time, and in-between, you will always be in my heart.”

“And if I don’t see the whole truth? If I don’t pay the full price?”

“Then our paths will never cross, and while I’ll still love you, our pact of friendship will be broken.”

My legs trembling, I met his eyes as I stepped forward. “I think I understand. Show me, Harvey.”

****

I won’t try to describe all the terrible things that he revealed to me. The torture and cruelty he endured. The slow rot of Rusty’s soul as he continued to feed his darker appetites. I saw many, many things, and when it was all over, I lay in a broken heap on the ground weeping. After some time, I felt Harvey’s large hand gently stroking my back.

“You have done well, Tommy. I know it wasn’t easy.”