[How twisted is that, telling her that her suffering was over? What kills him the most is that she had been suffering and he hadn't even noticed. Sure, he'd known something was up, but he'd been too willing to take her words at face value. Maybe if he'd been less preoccupied by the fact that she was actually talking to him like someone she could stand to be around, he might have been able to do... something.

It's too late for that, now.]

Fuck. I'm sorry. I just thought you were on edge because of what we were doing.

[The question isn't one he wants to answer. Eddie shakes his head and squeezes his eyes shut, as though doing so will banish the memory from his brain. But he realizes he's being selfish. It's unfair to her to ďeny her the truth just because it's unpleasant.]

I wish I could have helped you! Like maybe if I'd have known it was more than just you worrying about being caught buying drugs- or being seen with the freak... I don't know. Maybe I could have done something.

[The words come out in a rush, as though the question flipped a switch, and now he just can't seem to shut up.]

But I didn't... and now you're gone. Because of me.

[That last part is quieter, just barely loud enough for her to hear. Eddie can't even bring himself to look at her now.]