Mathew finished speaking.
For several seconds, Calum said nothing.
He simply stared at him.
His mouth slowly fell open.
Mathew noticed the change in his expression.
"Calum?"
Calum turned toward him.
His eyes were wide.
"You…"
He swallowed.
"You're talking about me."
Mathew frowned.
"What?"
"The boy."
Calum's voice had become barely audible.
"The boy in the bathroom."
Mathew stared at him.
Calum shook his head slowly, almost as though he couldn't believe the words coming out of his own mouth.
"That was me."
Mathew's expression changed.
"No."
Calum nodded.
"Yes."
"No."
Mathew shook his head harder.
"The boy I met was really thin."
Calum remained silent.
"He looked nothing like you," Mathew continued. "You're not thin. He was…"
He stopped.
He didn't know how to finish the sentence without sounding cruel.
Calum understood anyway.
"I know."
Mathew looked at him.
"That was me."
Calum lowered his eyes.
"My father used to starve me."
The room became quiet.
