[ He can't help the smile gets away from him when she says that. He knows she isn't kidding and as much as he doesn't want it to come to that, as much as it stirs up some things he doesn't want to cloud over their relationship in this place, of all places, it's a comfort that she'd do it. ]

I coulda been more careful. [ Because of course he blames himself. ] I was drinkin'. I knew somethin' could happen to me eventually.

[ But Carol had only just arrived and until she had, his outlook had been, 'why not?' What's it matter what happens to him if no one he cares about is here?

But that's not true, now. ]

I shoulda found a way not to drag anyone else into it.

[ Even though it seems impossible to avoid people completely here, he could have tried harder. Fought it more. But he has no strength left to fight the instinct, both animal and human, to turn into Carol's touch and seek it out rather obviously. He's silent for a long time, then appears to be feeling for something in his mouth with his tongue.

Then he lifts his upper lip to show her fangs where his canines should be, much smaller already than what he'd been biting with during the day. ]