"I see," Mikhail said before he ran off. "Now I remember." He felt a little ashamed of his earlier speculation, although his final guess turned out to be right. "Rob and I only spoke a few times, but he was always someone who can give hope to others; a really strong-hearted person." [i]And now he's gone.[/i] A sadness and yearning filled Mikhail's heart, then.

As he neared Fred, Mikhail didn't know what to say. He didn't mean to replace Rob? Rob was a good person? He would forever be indebted to Rob? Or even, sigh...he [i]loved[/i] Rob? Not that he would admit to that last sentence. Finally, he settled for:

"Fred?" Mikhail asked when he was in range. "I'm sorry. For not saving him."

[@Ikthaias]