... It's a long story. I did some things I really shouldn't have. It was a long time ago.

[And yes, he knows now how many of those things were manipulated precisely for the very purpose of making him succumb to despair, but it still does not excuse everything.

he excuses himself for just a moment to get some clean water, and when he returns, unravels the blood soaked bandages and sets them aside and starts gently dabbing at the wounds. It looks liek some kind of beast had a field day here.]

Ah, no, he isn't. Well, he was, but he isn't anymore. He is a ghost.