'Help me?' Nick repeated in his mind.
He became agitated when he thought about that short phrase.
Help?
Did he even deserve help?
'I don't deserve help,' Nick thought as his emotions calmed down again. 'I have done too many terrible things.'
'The time of receiving help is over.'
'I can only give help from now on.'
Nick slowly shook his head.
"I don't want any help," he said.
Albert raised an eyebrow.
"Want or need?" he asked.
"Does it matter?" Nick snapped back with some annoyance.
Albert just silently looked at Nick with a worried expression.
The more Albert looked at him, the more Nick felt guilty for his outburst.
"Sorry," Nick answered. "It's fine. I can manage on my own."
Albert took a deep breath but hid it from Nick.
