Sven stepped forward toward Oliver. “I’m going to tell you what we are before I tell you who we are,” he began slowly, almost hesitantly. Then he launched into his story:

Life sucks. I found that out early. My folks died in a fire when I was about your age. I had some relatives, but they were all elderly. I was put into an orphanage. As soon as I turned seventeen I got out of there. Ran as fast and hard as I could as soon as I did, too. I never wanted to see that place again. So I got a job, rented an apartment, got on my own two feet. I hated that orphanage, as I’m sure you do, too. I just wanted to get away from my past. I wanted to start anew. Then one day I was walking down the street on a snowy day and slipped on some ice, and hit my head. I had to get a few stitches, I cut my head pretty badly. I met a nice nurse, then. I think I fell in love the first moment I laid eyes on her. I asked her to go out with me. Now I think it’s a mistake, you know. Loss of blood.

Maxine reached over and punched him.