"Jesus," he says, realizes the irony, and flicks a smile at the other man. Humorless, but a smile.

Neal turns the doll foot in his pocket over between his fingers, trying to imagine that world. It makes him feel sick. It makes him think of the avatars in Wolf Pen, trying to bring about the end of this world.

"It won't be restful here," he says, almost an apology. "I mean, you don't have to work at helping people, you're not required to, but even if you keep to yourself, this place... Things happen here, and they'll get to you."