[Blake doesn't look up. He lets his head hang and watches a drop of sweat patter on the mat.

His little dog, worried and lonely...fuck, he doesn't need any more goddamn guilt. Easier to be annoyed at her for getting other people involved.

His voice comes out rough-edged.]

I needed to think about shit, all right? Is it that fuckin' strange to want people to leave me alone for five minutes?

[In the pause, there's just the sound of an old electric fan sweeping back and forth.

The rigidity saps from Blake's shoulders.]

I didn't want anybody else to get dragged into this.

[As he speaks, the Musharna breathes mist. He doesn't look up to see the words that appear on the screen.] I didn't want anyone else to know