Danny sniffed and wiped at his face, but then he hid it in his knee again. "Thanks," he said, because he did appreciate someone noticing he was trying so hard not to slip. "I just- God, Cai, if he finds me again- I- I don't-"

He squeezed his eyes shut as more tears flowed out of them. "It'd be worse." His voice was breathless from crying and some of the words came out haltingly. "It'd be worse because, I- I'm older and- And things work now- Oh, Jesus, I'm so scared."