Firestone Hot Springs Will never know passion, will never know pain

perhaps it would have shaken him completely if he were older, more cognizant of the nature of those around him, but the diatribe only served to further intrigue the boy. he didn't understand most of it, but what he did understand, he identified with. he, too, had felt alone and ignored in elysium by all except his mother. the fact that mal was on the same page. . .it made him feel better, actually. 

they said they couldn't wake mummy up, cam said flatly, scowling. she went to sleep and they put her under the ground. which he thought was quite awful, though they had assured him that was what was best. 

but what if it wasn't? what if mal was right?