A mate of mine, [ Hickey explains. ] Man named Billy Gibson.
[ Someone more than a 'mate.' Someone who Hickey viewed as his confidant for the better part of three years, a man who he grew close to, who's company he enjoyed, who he could possibly grow to love (at least, as much as someone like Hickey could love anyone). But he is keeping all that to himself. He doesn't know the mood here. He doesn't know how people would take that admission. Billy's a mate, nothing more. ]
He was ill. By that time, we were weak. Whatever it was that was in the tins, it was killing us, sapping our energy and draining us down to nothing. Fresh game would have helped, but we couldn't find any out on the ice. Billy had it worse. He was barely standing by the end. Joints achey, mind faltering, more of a shell of a man. He was in pain.
So I put him out of his misery and stabbed him in the back. [ There's a pause before Hickey says with absolute seriousness, ] And if you're so worried about hurting people? The moment you go, I'll do the same to you.
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[ Someone more than a 'mate.' Someone who Hickey viewed as his confidant for the better part of three years, a man who he grew close to, who's company he enjoyed, who he could possibly grow to love (at least, as much as someone like Hickey could love anyone). But he is keeping all that to himself. He doesn't know the mood here. He doesn't know how people would take that admission. Billy's a mate, nothing more. ]
He was ill. By that time, we were weak. Whatever it was that was in the tins, it was killing us, sapping our energy and draining us down to nothing. Fresh game would have helped, but we couldn't find any out on the ice. Billy had it worse. He was barely standing by the end. Joints achey, mind faltering, more of a shell of a man. He was in pain.
So I put him out of his misery and stabbed him in the back. [ There's a pause before Hickey says with absolute seriousness, ] And if you're so worried about hurting people? The moment you go, I'll do the same to you.