"It was obliterating me. The creature inside me wants to reach out. I concealed him for years, holding it, masking it, telling it he couldn't get out. No one has to know about it. He can't be revealed because I live in a world of curiosity. If that inquisitiveness is triggered, everything will fall apart."

He looked away, looking beside him, where my face wasn't seen. Bobby noticed his sentiment because he put his paw on Ethan's lap as if he was comforting him. Ethan didn't flinch or move a muscle. He was quiet for a minute, taking his time to process what he told me.

"But everything has its...