Or a crutch, an escape. I don’t know if that stupid man thought of it as either - maybe he was just too blind to see that he was drowning in place.

[ chained to that dingy apartment, where everything had started for yoru. and ended, too. yes… it had ended there. the old life locked up, and the murderer had been creditless because he hadn't had a name then. ]

But you’re saying people drink this to say, “see you later,” like a good thing.

[ he takes the offered glass and, after a moment’s rueful hesitation, takes a drink. a little bitter, he thinks, not unpleasantly so. it doesn’t taste like escape. ]

… Do you think our bond will stay?