Assumption shifted so he could sit, still hugging Wolf. He spoke honestly. "I'm still sorry. Walter told me...he always told me that Henry would one day kill him. And he still wanted us to protect him anyway. I just really, really didn't like it...and I still don't. I'll still hurt him if he hits my trainer again." He extended a paw, so Warden could come closer if she wanted.

"I tried to call you all but I got so scared. I thought you wouldn't like me. For what I did or...or now that I'm evolved..." Although that fear was more about Wolf's reaction than Warden's, he was still worried about how they might see him now.

Walter didn't know what to say. He wanted...He wanted a lot of things that he didn't have names for. He wanted to be better. He wanted to be free. He wanted to forget everything that had happened to him, forget who he had been before. But none of those things seemed very likely.

He wanted to talk more about the Order. How Heather got away, what had happened to them. But now wasn't the time. He didn't hide his relief, that Assumption's friends weren't shunning him. Henry had been lying after all.

Eileen looked up at Walter, touching his arm. Assumption had said that this was Saint Alessa. Walter held Saint Alessa in high regard. She took his hand and tried to push his sleeve up- Walter quickly drew his arm away. Her worry and disappointment was clear.