"Honestly, I don't quite remember myself. I simply woke up by an oasis, in a desert. I was given the communication device and told by the Merchant what was happening." roughly; it was a quick and - at the time - unbelievable explanation. But apparently it was almost as if they were waiting for the new comers, although Kaneki decides not to say that out loud.

There is a pause that follows before Kaneki sighs "Some of us disappear along the journey, right?"