[ Benny will very much appreciate that attitude when the truth inevitably comes out. For now, he's relieved to be free, even if he's soaked and basically just had a full on baptism in a kiddie pool. ]

Probably. [ Benny follows after him, boots squelching with every step, which frankly is the most uncomfortable feeling in the world. The second they’re out the door, the tension in his shoulders eases - not all the way, but enough for him to relax just a smidge. The shadows roll back like a tide, and he finally exhales for real. ]

I’ll take straightforward any day. Least you know where you stand when a thing’s tryin’ to rip your throat out.

[ That's part of what made Purgatory so easy for him. There wasn't any in-between, there was no grey areas. It was all black and white, no room for error. All survival, no time to think. ]

Appreciate the save, by the way. Lotta folks woulda left me to drown.