By his fourth month in The Hole, Goreng had grown touch starved. The closest he'd gotten to a friend was Trimagasi, and Trimagasi tried to eat him. Even before The Hole he'd been a solitary man. Goreng had only dated once, a woman who didn't stick around long. Something about his smoking habit.

But now Goreng was on Floor 6 with his newest roommate. He sincerely hoped this one wouldn't die, as he was a good man. He ate only what was necessary rather than just taking whatever food he could each day, and he always tried to engage Goreng in conversation. Even though Goreng knew he must appear to be an unfeeling lunatic by now.

Goreng was shivering under his thin bedsheet one night. He stared blankly at the cement wall and tried to avoid looking around the dark room that was bathed in the red glow of the facility's night lights. He swore he could still see the outline of Imoguiri's hanging body.

"You're reaching the end of your rope, my snail," Trimagasi's voice echoed in his head.

"Shut up," Goreng snapped, curling into a ball. He soon felt his cellmate's hand on his back. He was whispering to him but Goreng couldn't comprehend what was being said.

"Lay down with me," he said quietly, eyes misting over. Goreng had never laid with a man before. He'd rarely laid with his girlfriend. But he was desperate to make his demons go away.