Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Finally have the next chapter up now that my laptop is running again! I'm not going to say much here on the subject, but there will probably be a little note on the Digital Connections forum about it, so take a look if you want an interesting tidbit of info! That note will come later once I have an opportunity to post it!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 273: A Choice Between Loved Ones

Ryoko Ishida

Net, Northern Hemisphere, Digital World

Ryoko Ishida slowly opened his eyes, and letting out a soft groan he blinked at the image of the blurry stone ceiling hovering high above his head. He could feel cold air touching his face, and though the rest of him should have also been freezing, he could feel the warmth of someone's arms propping him up. As hard as he tried, he couldn't seem to remember where he was, but something told him it must be fairly early in the morning.

Did I...fall asleep? I must have. It felt so warm and safe...

The ground felt hard and frigid beneath his legs, and he could feel himself shivering as the cold worked its way up towards his spine. If it wasn't for the comforting arms wrapped around his shoulders, he was sure he would have felt completely frozen to the bone. Why was he so cold when he had fallen asleep feeling so warm? That much he did remember. He remembered feeling warm, and he remembered the light.

It was so bright...

"Ishida? Hey, are you okay?" a sudden voice said softly in his ear, the words catching him completely off guard. "Speak to me, man. Wake up."

The voice was warm and pleasant, and it also sounded very familiar. It was a voice that didn't often speak to him in such a gentle tone, and for a moment he forgot all about where he was. He just wanted to lie there listening to that voice being nice to him for as long as possible because he did not think it was a privilege he would be able to indulge in from here on out.

Not if he wanted to protect Matty.

"Come on, Ishida," the voice repeated, a hint of pleading in that gentle tone. "You're really starting to make me worry here."

Wait...he's worried about me?

Ryoko lifted his hands up to rub at his eyes, and slowly the cavern where he had stayed with Daichi and Alopemon the night before came into focus. Hovering above him was a concerned face with deep brown eyes and dark brown hair, and he could see the goggles on the other boy's head glinting in the dim light.

Ryoko could not recall the last time he had seen that particular face looking so worried on account of him, and he felt something warm stir suddenly inside his heart. He wanted to suppress that feeling, but his natural defences against the goggle-headed leader didn't seem to be working at the moment. All he could do was stare back at his dark-haired friend, and speaking in a voice he barely recognized as his own, he whispered, "Dai?"

He heard a sharp intake of breath, and though there were warning bells going off in his head that were telling him he had done something to give himself away, he couldn't seem to focus on what that something might have been. All he could do was stare back at the goggle-headed leader, his chest swelling with emotion.

He tried to sit up, but as soon as he moved the cavern started spinning, and grabbing onto the goggle-headed leader's coat to support himself, he closed his eyes to settle his stomach and to block out the unwanted visions that were flashing continuously within his troubled mind.

"Here, let me help you," Dai scolded, a disapproving note in his tone.

Despite his reprimand, there was a touch of fondness in his tone that made Ryoko pause, his breath catching in his throat. He could still feel the goggle-headed leader's arm wrapped securely around his shoulders, and with a gentleness that surprised Ryoko, he felt Dai maneuver him into a sitting position.

Now that his vision was no longer spinning, Ryoko was able to sit up under his own power, but despite that Dai's right hand remained on his shoulder while the left hand rested against his upper back. It was only a simple gesture of support, but it felt like Dai's hands were burning his skin right through his clothes, and not only did the sensation make him flinch in pain, it also made him feel uncomfortable. This wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to be on the receiving end of Dai's kindness. He was supposed to be protecting Matty.

I can't do this. I want you to leave. I want you to stay. I...I don't know what I want anymore...

Ryoko's thoughts were a jumbled mess, but despite the fact that he was well aware of his own predicament, he couldn't seem to get his thoughts in order. He knew he was still in the Ice Caverns in the chamber where he had spent the night with Dai and Alopemon, but after that his memory was a blur.

But even though his brain was still fuzzy, he could still remember those amber eyes full of hatred and the feel of his cousin's arm wrapped tightly around his throat.

He was trying to kill me. He wanted me to die because I betrayed him...

Ryoko's hand flew to his throat, and a gasp escaped his mouth as the haunting memories of last night suddenly came back to him in a flash of vivid colour.

Matty had been there, and his cousin had been very angry. Not only could he remember the hatred in the younger twin's eyes, but he also remembered the terrible words coming from his cousin's throat.

Words that had been full of malice.

Matty's voice was usually so light and easygoing, but the voice speaking to him last night had been cold and bitter. He remembered the kick that had bruised his ribs, and now that he was focusing on it, he could feel his torso throbbing with dull pain. There was a similar burning sensation on his thigh, and he unconsciously pressed a hand against the aching spot to dull the pain. Even his scalp hurt, and in his mind he could see Matty pulling painfully on his golden tresses.

Forcing him to look into those terrible amber eyes...

Even now, he wanted to believe he was wrong, but there was no denying that the boy last night had looked, felt, and even smelled like Matty. The contact they had shared had been so familiar, and yet at the same time it had felt so alien and foreign to him. How could something that feels so good also feel so wrong?

And then there was that arm crushing his windpipe. His neck still hurt and his throat felt raw, like someone had indeed tried to squeeze the life out of him.

But what about that light at the end? What about Matty's smile? Had it all been a dream?

"Ryoko! Ryoko, say something!" a new voice cried, interrupting his thoughts.

Ryoko winced as a large quantity of soft fur suddenly leaped into his arms, and holding tightly to his digimon partner, he said slowly, "Alopemon?"

"Of course. Who else would it be? What are you doing over here?" Alopemon demanded, an edge to his tone. "Why weren't you in your sleeping bag?"

Ryoko glanced over his partner's shoulder, and it was with some surprise that he realized the sleeping bags were lying several feet away from them. He must have drifted off in the same place where Matty had intended to choke the life out of him. No wonder he was cold. Thanks to his cousin, he had never made it back to his sleeping bag last night, and now Dai and Alopemon were looking expectantly at him, clearly waiting for an explanation.

There was only one problem. He had no explanation. At least not one that made any kind of sense.

"When I woke up, you were gone," Dai said slowly, looking away from him. "'I...I was worried. I thought maybe you left without me because of yesterday or that something bad might have happened to you..."

Huh?

There was something about the look in Dai's eyes that the goggle-headed leader was trying to hide, and it caught Ryoko's attention. Though he couldn't explain it, his heart suddenly sped up, and there seemed to be something stuck in his throat. He had heard all the words, but he was still having trouble comprehending them.

In the end, only one part of that confession registered in Ryoko's brain, and staring stupidly at the goggle-headed leader, he said, "You were worried about me?"

Dai glanced sharply at him, and quickly looking away again, the goggle-headed leader mumbled, "Don't be dumb. Of course I was."

But you're supposed to hate me. And even if by some miracle you don't, you should...

"What were you doing sleeping all the way over here?" Alopemon asked curiously, looking worried. "You're lucky you didn't freeze to death! These caverns aren't built for humans."

Ryoko shook his head, and unable to make sense of everything that had happened, he said softly, "I don't know. Maybe I was dreaming."

Could it have been a dream, or was he simply lying to himself? His body ached all over, and though the pain was dull, it was definitely very real, not just a figment of his imagination. But if Matty really had tried to attack him the night before, wouldn't there be physical evidence to prove it?

"You're not a sleepwalker," Dai said flatly, his face expressionless. "You never have been."

Even if Ryoko had wanted to defend himself, he knew he would never be able to pull it off. How many times had he shared a room or a bed with Dai over the last thirteen years? Dai knew his sleeping habits better than he knew his own. No argument in the world would ever convince the goggle-headed leader that he had left his sleeping bag while still asleep.

"Ryoko?" Alopemon said hesitantly, touching him lightly on the arm. "Are you sure you're okay?"

The frosty rookie didn't sound at all like his usual confident self, and Ryoko felt a pang of regret for making his partner worry. He tried to get to his feet, but as Dai's arm brushed against his ribcage, he winced and sat back with a gasp of pain.

"What's wrong?" Dai asked, immediately pulling his arm away and looking rather confused.

Ryoko was having a hard time taking a deep breath, and instead of answering, he said stiffly, "Help me out."

Dai looked like he wanted to argue, but instead he merely motioned for Alopemon to move out of the way. The little rookie didn't seem very happy about losing his comfortable perch, but instead of protesting he leaped out of his seat and proceeded to stand there with a frown on his face. As soon as Alopemon was safely out of reach, Ryoko felt Dai's arm go around his waist, and this time Ryoko noticed the goggle-headed leader was trying to be extra gentle. Somehow he managed to get is own arm across Dai's shoulders, and together the two dragged themselves to their feet, Dai bearing most of the weight.

As soon as Ryoko was on his feet, he quickly pushed away from Dai to put some distance between them. Every time the goggle-headed leader would do something that seemed even remotely nice to him, an image of Matty's bitter smile would invade his memories. It was a terrible picture, and somehow Ryoko had a feeling if he had to see that smile again, it would drive him completely insane.

But still...I need to know if it was real.

"Where are you going?" Dai demanded, following after him as he headed back towards the sleeping bags.

Ryoko didn't answer. His thoughts from earlier were still burning through his mind, and though all of them were painful, there was one in particular that wouldn't seem to leave him in peace.

When somebody hurts you, it leaves a mark.

Those words kept playing over and over again inside his head, and he knew if he didn't find out the truth it would end up driving him crazy. And so he did the only thing he could do at the moment. Pushing Dai towards the back of his mind, he stepped up to the edge of the heated pool where warm air was leaking out of the natural vents, and without a word he began to strip off his clothes.

Dai and Alopemon were standing just in front of the sleeping bags, and watching him undress with raised eyebrows, the goggle-headed leader said in a rather dry tone, "What are you doing?"

Ryoko barely heard the dark-haired boy. Once he had relieved himself of his winter gear, he began to strip off his hoodie and pants. He winced as he tried to get the shirt over his ribs, and then the socks came off next. Though it was a struggle, he somehow managed to strip down to his boxer briefs without any help, and gazing at his own reflection in the pool of water, he closed his eyes in despair and choked back a strangled sob.

Behind him, he head a soft gasp escape the goggle-headed leader's mouth, and Alopemon let out a startled cry of outrage.

Ryoko couldn't deny the truth anymore. It was right there in front of his own eyes. He now had the physical evidence to prove that last night had not been just a dream. There were black bruises circling his ribs, and there was another large purple bruise on his thigh.

As he turned to look over his shoulder, he met Dai's dark eyes, and from the goggle-headed leader's expression he could tell that Daichi had also noticed the deep redness around his throat.

There was a moment of shocked silence when nobody spoke, and then Dai slowly came towards him, his dark eyes sparkling with intense emotion. There was a dangerous look in the goggle-headed leader's hard gaze, but Ryoko had a feeling it wasn't directed at him.

It was directed at whoever had given him the bruises.

That look caught Ryoko's attention, and as he gazed back at the goggle-headed leader he saw something in that expression that he had never seen before. It made him feel suddenly vulnerable and very exposed, and as Dai came to a stop in front of him, he had to look away.

"How did this happen?" Dai demanded, his voice wavering slightly with suppressed emotion. "Who did this to you?"

Ryoko shook his head, and staring into the water at his reflection, he said truthfully, "I don't know."

"How can you not know?" Alopemon snapped, looking absolutely horrified.

Ryoko suddenly felt completely defeated, and gazing dully at his own haunting reflection, he jumped as Dai's fingers suddenly began to trace the line of his bruised ribs. "These bruises are fresh. You got these recently."

Ryoko nodded, and closing his eyes he felt Dai's fingers traced the angry redness stretching across his throat. He could feel the goggle-headed leader's hand trembling, and the sensation caught him by surprise. At first he thought Dai's reaction was simply caused by fear, but when he opened his eyes and found the goggle-headed leader staring back at him, he could see it was more complicated than that. The fear was there, yes, but at the same time there was a fire in his eyes that was burning so fiercely Ryoko felt like it was searing straight through his soul.

He couldn't tell Dai about Matty. He didn't want Matty to get hurt.

And right now Dai looked like he really wanted to hurt somebody.

"Ryoko, what happened to you?" Alopemon asked, gazing up at him with wide eyes. "You're hurt!"

Ryoko could feel the heat of the vents blowing against his battered body, but it wasn't enough to ward off the chill of the cavern. And as much as he hated worrying his partner, he couldn't seem to find his voice to reassure the little rookie.

"What happened last night?" Dai said in a low voice, turning to glance suspiciously around the cavern.

"Please, tell us," Alopemon pleaded, moving towards him.

Ryoko felt the little rookie snuggle up to his uninjured thigh, and touching his partner's furry head, he found himself struggling to speak. He felt dead inside, and reflecting on the empty feeling in his soul, his shoulders began to shake with the force of his emotions.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to hit something.

Most of all, though, he wanted to cry, but despite the pain in his heart the tears wouldn't come.

Why can't I cry? Why can't I let go?

Matty hated him. He knew it with a certainty that made him want to disappear forever. His cousin had tried to hurt him, and those horrible words were etched into his memory like an old wound that didn't want to heal properly.

Did he deserve it? Of course he did. He had done the unthinkable. He had tried to take something that was already taken, and now he was suffering for his crime. Dai didn't need him. The goggle-headed leader already had a best friend, one he was happy with. He didn't need a selfish fool for a best friend when Matty was clearly the better option.

And now what do I have left? Nothing. Now I've lost them both...

He didn't deserve either one of them, and if he were to disappear, chances were they'd be better off without him.

Dai, more than anyone, would probably be glad to see me go.

The force of his own thoughts caused his knees to give out from under him, and suddenly he felt a pair of warm arms wrap around his body. His instincts immediately told him to pull away for Matty's sake, but he didn't seem to have the energy to move.

At first Dai looked uncertain, and his grip was awkward, as if expecting to be pushed away, but when Ryoko made no move to pull away, the goggle-headed leader's entire demeanor changed.

The difference was like night and day, and for a moment all Ryoko could do was stare at the goggle-headed leader.

The arms holding him immediately relaxed and pulled him closer, being careful not to touch his injures, and Dai's intense expression melted into a look of deep concern. Ryoko was now shivering from the cold, and he kept his face buried in Dai's shoulder to hide the terrible pain in his eyes.

It was like Matty all over again, and yet it was so different. This boy looked like Dai, felt like Dai, even smelled like Dai, but there was no sense of darkness radiating from his body. This was what it should always feel like when he was with Matty.

This was what had been missing last night. This was what he should have been sharing with his cousin.

And yet here I am, still betraying him. Still wanting something that can never be mine...

"I wish you would just tell me what's going on in your head," Dai murmured, letting out a deep sigh. "Those bruises didn't happen by accident."

Ryoko didn't answer. Instead, he clung to the goggle-headed leader as tightly as he could. He didn't want to let go. He wanted the moment to last forever because he knew the second he let go, he would have to honour his loyalty to Matty. This was the last time he could allow himself to step around the wall that separated him from Dai. As soon as he let go, he would never be able to cross that barrier again. He would have to keep his deepest feelings to himself, for Matty's sake.

Because Matty deserved to have a best friend.

That's something I've never had, but I've dealt with it before. It's been the same my whole life. If I could do it then, then I can keep on doing it now no matter how much it might hurt me...

But to lose this feeling, to lose that warmth, to lose that special connection he had always felt with Dai since the very beginning, was that something he could truly give up after so many years of trying and failing to grab hold of it? Could he do that for Matty, even if it meant losing a piece of his soul forever? Losing a piece of himself?

How do you choose? How do you choose between two people you love with all your heart?

I wonder what Ami would say?

The thought startled him, and sucking in a shaky breath he found himself thinking about Dai's beautiful sister. Ami was not only gorgeous, she was also bold, sassy, and very feisty, and she was every bit as brave as Dai. She would probably tell him he was being an idiot and that he didn't have to choose if he didn't want to.

And if I lose Dai, will I lose Ami too? How can she ever have any respect for me if I treat her brother like he means nothing to me?

If he did that, he would be losing two people instead of just one.

But did I ever have them to begin with?

At least with Matty, they had always had each other, and that wasn't something he could give up. Matty deserved his trust and loyalty. He couldn't lose his cousin. He couldn't lose the one thing he did have to call his own.

And so he made his choice.

He would simply have to care for Dai and possibly now even Ami from afar, like he had always done.

Even if it killed him.

I wish I could tell you, too, Dai. You have no idea how much I wish I could.

But that was no longer an option for him. And besides, it was time to get back down to business.

"Will you just say something already?" Dai said roughly, a hint of worry in his tone. "This isn't like you. You never act...well, act like this. And those bruises..."

With effort, Ryoko managed to find his voice, and rearranging his expression into its normal cool, indifferent look, he said calmly, "We need to keep moving."

"Not until you tell me who did this to you," Dai shot back, an edge to his tone.

Ryoko shook his head, and speaking quietly, he said, "If I had an answer for you, I would. But I don't."

"It wasn't one of...of our people, was it?" Dai said slowly, his face suddenly growing expressionless.

Ryoko froze in the goggle-headed leader's grip, and unable to breath, he whispered, "One of ours, one of theirs. It all seems the same in this place."

Does he suspect the truth? It's almost like he knows...

"Ishida, I-"

Ryoko hugged the goggle-headed leader as tightly as he could, cutting off the words he couldn't bear to hear. He put everything he had left into that hug, knowing it wasn't nearly enough to convey the true depth of his emotions, but it would have to do. It was the last time he would ever have the chance to show Dai his real feelings, and the force of his own embrace was all he could manage to pass those feelings on.

He knew it was going to be painful, but he wasn't prepared for the reality of it. He could feel Dai's heart beating, and his friend's vibrant life force seemed to be the only thing left that was holding him up. Once again he could feel that close connection between them, and he couldn't help wondering if this was the same feeling that Tal and Kenji felt towards one another. Was it the same feeling his own father sensed with Tai? Was it the same connection Davis and Ken shared? He had no way of knowing for sure, but he could not deny he felt like he was giving up a part of himself.

And that made him want to give up.

At this point Dai seemed unable to form a coherent sentence, and it was with a heavy heart that Ryoko had to forcibly rip himself out of the goggle-headed leader's embrace. He was shivering badly now, and bending down to pick up his clothes he put on his pants, socks, and boots in silence.

"Here, let me help you before you hurt yourself even more," Dai said gruffly, blinking as if waking up from a dream and yanking the shirt out of his grasp.

Ryoko allowed Dai to help him put on his shirt, hoodie, and coat, since the effort to do it himself would likely have risked damaging his ribs further, and though the goggle-headed leader was careful to avoid touching his injures, he couldn't help flinching every time he felt the heat of Dai's fingers brush against his skin. He let the goggle-headed leader think it was because of his neck and ribs, but in reality it had nothing to do with his injuries. The physical pain he could deal with. It was the emotional pain of having Dai so close and knowing he had to stay quiet about their friendship, or lack thereof, that was eating him up inside.

It would almost be easier if he stayed away...

Once he was properly dressed, they began to pack up their supplies, and crossing his arms over his chest, Alopemon said, "So, where do we go from here?"

Ryoko was surprised that both Daichi and Alopemon weren't being more aggressive about questioning his injuries, but they seemed to have guessed that he had reverted into a dark place inside himself, and it was probably best to wait until he was ready to speak before trying to get him to talk.

For that, he was grateful, but it didn't make him feel any less guilty.

He could see in Dai's eyes that the goggle-headed leader wanted very badly to know what was going on. Those dark eyes looked almost desperate for answers, an expression Ryoko was not used to at all.

In fact, he'd only ever seen it twice before. Once when they had almost lost Kara, and the other time was when Jestermon had almost dropped Mickey to this death.

Does that mean...he cares about me as much as he cares about the others? This all happened because of me. Because I was afraid. Because I couldn't bring myself to trust him. And now it's too late...

Ryoko tried to focus on his digimon partner, and speaking slowly, he said, "You mean we have to decide whether to go for the Spirit Chip or find the others."

"Well, I still kind of think we should just wait for the others to reach us," Alopemon said slowly, still looking at him with a hint of fear in his eyes.

"I'm thinking we're not going to be doing any of those things," Dai suddenly interrupted, his expression growing dark as he stared at the glowing D-Coder in his hand.

Ryoko was surprised by the goggle-headed leader's sudden outburst, and frowning in confusion, he said suspiciously, "I thought you wanted to go after the Spirit Chip."

Dai didn't answer. Instead, he held out his D-Coder, and uncertain of what to think, Ryoko took a step towards the goggle-headed leader and glanced down at the screen.

At first, he wasn't quite sure what Dai was trying to show him, but then his eyes widened in shock. There on the screen it showed Matty's signal all by itself, and what was even more astonishing was the fact that the younger twin's signal wasn't all that far away from them.

Which meant Matty could very well have visited them during the night and attacked him when he was at his most vulnerable.

No. No! It couldn't have been Matty! He would never do something like that to me no matter how mad he was. He would never be that violent. He...he cares about me. He...he wouldn't...

But Ryoko had the injuries to prove it, and the evidence on the Digivice was enough to back up his theory.

No...

Matty had tried to strangle him, and the younger twin had also tried to hurt Dai. If he didn't keep his distance from Dai, next time the goggle-headed leader might not be so lucky to escape injury.

But for Matty of all people to want somebody dead...

Ryoko felt his knees give out again, and if Dai hadn't caught him he probably would have knocked himself unconscious.

Which might have been a blessing.

"Hey, it's okay," Dai said quietly in his ear, giving him some much needed support. "It seems our decision has already been made for us. We'll go after Matty first."

"It looks like the others have the same idea because their signals are already heading towards Matty," Alopemon commented. "They must have started out really early this morning because they're slowly starting to catch up already."

For once Ryoko didn't argue with Dai. Instead, he forgot all about the Spirit Chip or catching up with the others. The only thing that mattered now was Matty. In that the two of them were of the same mind.

"We'll reach him," Dai said, his tone reassuring. "I'm sure he's fine."

No, he's not. He's not fine at all...

"His signal isn't moving," Ryoko replied, staring at nothing.

The words were dull and lifeless, and he felt Dai shift next to him. "That doesn't mean anything. He could even still be sleeping. Don't give up on me now, Ishida."

Ryoko barely heard the goggle-headed leader. Keeping his head down, he said quietly, "Matty must have been teleported through one of those crystal mirrors. But why? How could he..."

It made sense. Those mirrors were full of darkness. He had felt it himself. And if Matty had gone through one of the mirrors, did that mean he was also a victim of the darkness? Was there a logical explanation to Matty's actions earlier? Was his behaviour the fault of the mirrors, and if so then did that mean it was the darkness that had hurt him and not actually Matty? Was the darkness taking over Matty's body?

But those eyes...

Those had been Matty's eyes. Was it his fault that the darkness was going after Matty, if that was indeed what was happening? Was it all because he had tried to take Matty's best friend away?

"Come on," Dai said urgently in his ear. "We can reach Matty from the path on the other side of the stream. The sooner we get going, the sooner we can reach him."

Ryoko suddenly became aware of the fact that he was letting Dai get too close again, and jerking roughly away from the goggle-headed leader he scrambled to his feet and pointed his D-Coder at Alopemon. "You're going to need to digivolve if we want to get over the stream."

"Right," Alopemon agreed, as the Digivice exploded with light. "Stay close and let me protect you. Alopemon digivolve to, Tirimon!"

Ryoko didn't miss the surprisingly hurt look on Dai's face, and he winced when he suddenly realized he would have to let the goggle-headed leader ride on Tirimon with him.

It seemed even fate was against him when it came to trying to separate himsef from Dai as much as possible.

Why won't he just leave me to my own misery?

Resigned to his fate for the moment, Ryoko climbed onto Tirimon's back, and holding out a trembling hand to the goggle-headed leader, he said shortly, "Come on."

Ryoko could tell Dai had noticed his hand shaking, but the goggle-headed leader didn't comment on it. Instead, Dai remained silent, and Ryoko realized with some dismay that he had never seen the goggle-headed leader looking so uncertain of himself before. Dai actually hesitated before taking the offered hand, and when he did, Ryoko had to fight down the well of emotion that was bubbling deep inside his heart.

As their hands came in contact with one another, Ryoko once again felt that deep connection, and it took all of his strength to harden his heart against the firm grip of that touch.

Without a word he hauled Dai up behind him, and he felt the goggle-headed leader's arms wrap carefully around his waist to avoid injuring him further. Though his face remained expressionless, he had to close his eyes against the pain in his heart.

It all felt so wrong. He should have shared a sense of closeness to the other boy riding behind him on Tirimon's back as the champion plunged his way into the stream, but instead he felt a wall of emptiness that separated them from one another.

Even as he felt Dai lean into his back to block the spray of water from hitting his face, Ryoko could still feel the goggle-headed leader's sense of defeat.

And it was all because of him.

This time, the warmth of Dai's closeness didn't comfort him, and keeping his gaze focused straight ahead so the goggle-headed leader couldn't see his face, the tears finally came as they raced to reach Matty in time.