He mashed the heels of his hands against his eyes, but it only served to redouble his sobs. He couldn’t shake the image of the raccoon trundling out in front of the car. He couldn’t shake the sick thump that made his stomach heave. He couldn’t unsee the twisted lump of fur squished into the pavement when he looked over his shoulder. “You killed it! It wasn’t doing anything wrong! You could’ve stopped! I hate you!”

"Your voice is pretty." No prelude or explanation offered or given. Nick plunked himself down at Katjaa’s feet, settling down cross-legged in front of her. "Will you tell me a story?"

"Nope. Still no super powers. Gotta get another spider."

"…I think my hair’s longer than yours."

"When I grow up, I’m gonna be as good a mommy as you!" He beamed, firmly attaching himself to Christa’s leg in a bear-hug. "Thank you for being Shel’s mommy."

"Your face is weird too,” he said, impatiently, like the man had asked a very stupid question he, as an adult, should’ve known the answer to. Nick studied him a moment longer, then added, with a small smile. “But… like… a fun weird. Not a mean weird. Will you give me a piggyback ride?”

Nick stared at the man for a long moment before folding his arms across his chest and frowning. “Your face is weird.”