['I know,' was the obvious answer to that. Except it never came because in spite of Voile knowing that was matter-of-fact and to the point, he must not have believed it. Normal and typical Voile would have simply nodded along and went with the flow. But as it had happened with Sonny, the moment the Snorlax had tried to get him to open up a mite, Voile almost immediately shut him down.

On impulse, the same thing almost happened with Vinnie. The difference was that Vinnie had never broken her heart in any form. Whenever Sonny tried to take a position where he could help, all he felt was that Sonny was trying to make up for something in the past that Voile believed wasn't even possible. And it led to almost an immediate shut down of feelings.]

For all of the people I call friends, I feel that my burdens are mine to bear. Everyone has already their own share of difficulties and disappointments. And if I'm really honest about it, I don't feel I can truly rely on anyone and I haven't for some time. To me, that's fine. Because maybe I don't need anyone.

[He tapped at his chin with some thought, for he knew he was still slightly hard with his words, despite the softer tone he used to say them.]