Bile mixes with the lump in his throat, thick and choking, enough to drown him if he lets it. He's been pushing the inevitable back, because he can't deal with it, can't face it. The man's been in his life for so long, for better or worse, the idea of him being gone, for good? It doesn't connect. Doesn't seem real. Munson tilts his jaw to better look at him but Billy avoids his gaze, eyes damp and burning, something heavy trying to claw out of his chest.

"Bullshit. He obviously knew something I didn't. That thing picked me, you seriously think it didn't? So what does that say to you?"