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‘What are you saying?’ said Garovel, abruptly more seriously. ‘Hector, are you saying you don’t regret hurting that man?’

‘What? No! Of course I regret it! That’s what I was trying to say!’

‘Good. That’s the way it should be. Shit, you really had me worried for a second.’

‘What’re you--?’

‘Hector, listen to me. You’ve been through a lot. You made a mistake. You’ve acknowledged it. Now just don’t do it again.’

He furrowed his brow, blinking. ‘I mean, ah... of course, I’ll try, but what if I can’t? That’s what I’m worried about.’ He looked at his hands. ‘Honestly, I’m kinda scared of myself right now...’

‘You’ve been far too high-strung, lately. You know you have. Are you so surprised that it ended up affecting you?’

‘But... I didn’t think I’d hurt an innocent person...’

‘Well, you did. And don’t forget it. Remember this as a lesson. You have to take care of yourself, too. You’re not invincible. I know sometimes it might seem like you are, but you’re not. You have to keep a clear head.’

He gave a slow nod. ‘Is this... because I’ve been neglecting my meditation?’

‘I wouldn’t blame it all on that, but I do think meditation would certainly help you relax. As would some fucking rest.’

‘I, ah... I guess you’re right.’

‘Duh. Don’t you know by now how ridiculously wise I am?’

Hector tried to get some sleep. It did not go smoothly. Even after the enhancements wore off and the exhaustion kicked in, his brain still wanted to stubbornly hold on to consciousness. With nothing else to do, he just started to meditate right there in the backseat. And after a time of forcing himself to empty his head, he was finally able to fall asleep.

When he awoke, Stephanie and Thomas were both fidgeting in his arms. Then the smell hit him, hard enough to make his eyes water. Someone needed their diaper changed. Perhaps two someones.