Zack noticed Matthew was walking toward Max, he sighed.

  When will he ever learn?

  Shadow approached him, he too was looking at Matthew. He sighed.

  "Got to let him learn the hard way I guess..." Shadow said.

  Zack tsked as he shook his head. "He doesn't know what it's like to lose someone you love, you know?"

  Shadow looked at him with interest. "You never told me how Matthew ended up living with you."

  Zack shook his head slowly. "He lost his parents a long time ago, he had no family to turn to, my....my pa told him he could stay with us."

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  Shadow nodded.

  "How we met, you ask....um....he lived in the Village with me....I don't know how to best explain it, but basically, he was the first kid I grew up with.......then we me Max a little over a year ago."

  "I see."

  "Yeah.....Matthew lost his family too early, he barely knew them. So he doesn't understand what it's like to feel grief for someone he loves so strongly."

  Shadow nodded again.

  A sudden thought about his father rejecting him slipped his mind, before it could take a toll on him, Zack immediately changed the subject.

  "Seems like you've been calmer, less.....angry." he pointed out.

  Shadow smiled as he looked at the blue sky. "What can I say? It's been peaceful!"

  Zack folded his arms. He knew there was a different reason.

  Shadow looked back at him, then sighed. "I've been forcing it down.....I'm trying."

  Zack smiled.