He grasps my wrist once more and drags me a few steps aside. There's a bench near by, and it's in the shade, so I don't resist to sitting down beside him.

His question gives me pause, though, and I stare at the ice cream for a moment, trying to collect my thoughts, and the correct explanation.

"It's just something I can see. I spent a long time alone in the Deep Darkness... The pure Dark that gathers and deepens when humans undergo stress or sadness... Not just when caused to by my kind, but naturally."