Those words were like a physical slap on Abel's face. He actually retreated a few paces back, looking at Ben like he had suddenly grown a Death Eater's mark on his face.
"The fuck are you saying?" he wondered as he tried to decipher whether Ben was mad or purposely pulling his leg. This wasn't a good time for either of them.
Seeing the petrified look on his friend's face, he quickly decided it was no joke, and neither did he look mad. At least no mad person would begin by questioning his sanity.
Ben began pacing even faster, with his head clasped in desperation.
It looked like his shock grew even more when he saw the questioning look on his friend's face.
Now he was even talking to himself.
"No... I can't be mad... I am not mad... I can't be..."
He was fervently reciting this mantra like it was now the only thing grounding him to reality.
Looking at his friend, Abel found himself pitying him.
