Chapter 117
"Vince." I hear someone say softly. I don't want to turn round. "Vince, it's me. It's Howard." I close my eyes and count to ten, hoping he'll go away. After I've finished, I open my eyes and look around. He's still there. He's standing in the doorway, looking…sad? Disappointed? "Vince, have you…" He trails off as his eyes drift down to my leg, and I turn my head away.
I hear him sigh softly as he approaches. Feeling his hand on my shoulder, I jump away. "Vince, It's alright. It's only me." I remember earlier in the evening. He called me Vincent. He's like Naboo. He'll tell Naboo. "Vince?"
"No." I choke out.
"What?"
"No. Just go away, Howard, please."
"Vince, let me help."
"Don't tell Naboo, please."
"Vince, you're hurt. Let me help."
"Just leave me alone."
"No." He crouches down behind me. "Let me help."
"I don't need your help."
"You do, though."
"I don't." I look up at him, silently begging him to just go away and forget about it.
He doesn't, of course.
But this time, he doesn't try to do anything straight away. He just sits down opposite me and watches me. I don't look up at him, but he keeps watching.