I wanted to answer in anger but I was frightened and knew it wouldn’t do me any good. I didn’t know how many people were on the train but all of their deaths were my fault. Val had tried to warn me.

Yes I did.

You keep telling me to leave, but where would you have us go? I don’t know where we are or where we could hide. They said they could help!

Val’s voice went flat. They lied.

I’m tired of being responsible for everything!

Death walks with us and she will be with us every hour of every day until we deal with our shit. That’s only one of the reasons we need to be alone. She doesn’t have the capacity to care about the damage she inflicts- rage and terror are all she knows.

Can’t you keep her under control?

You’ve seen what she’s capable of- no one can. Everything I’ve tried has had as much success as paper walls in a thunderstorm. Heavy sedatives might work but that would affect all three of us- to one degree or another. You’d likely end up in a coma.

Fine. We’ll try it your way.