Dimitri stares at that string of messages for a long time. The dizziness wells up again, the flailing falling panic, but alone in the dark room it's easier to manage.

I don't understand how you can

why don't you hate me?

the last person who saw that was my best friend at the time and he hates me now

the last person who saw it and lived

If 'I don't know' was pulling teeth, the next message is like tearing his tongue out by the root. Damn him for it, but it's the truth, and Darcy deserves that.

I want to stay your friend.