"But this is a homeless person... It's kind of course. It's just..." she shook her head. "Sometimes I feel you're trying to save the whole world. And you can't. You can't save Alice."

"He's not homeless! I've seen his home and..' he frowned and looked down. "I know. I hate it, but I know. So I have to try to help others. Maybe help another girl like Alice before she ends up in the same situation. Or another Simon before he has fallen too far. I want to help people and try to figure out the mistakes of the past so they don't repeat for others. It's.. all I can do."

The mention of Simon had her close her eyes and frown for a moment. Even now, almost three years after, she still missed him so much and felt like a part of herself had been cut off and killed. "That is a noble striving," she said. "But there is so much suffering in this town. You can't save everyone. And Alice... well, she was lost as soon as she got pregnant. Simon... we were all trying to save him in our own ways, but no one could... I just fear you're going to get frustrated..."

Elijah frowned. "I understand but.. if I gave up.. when do I help? When is someone worthy of being helped? There is a lot of suffering, a-and I know I can't help everyone. Maybe I can't even make a dent. But I have to try. Maybe I can turn one person's life around. I don't want to stop trying. I understand frustration all too easily.."

Rose nodded. "Just... look after yourself. It seems like... your new friend is a lot of work, no offence."

He put down the tea and folded his hands together. "He.. isn't normally like this. He's usually a rather easy going guy. But he is rather not good with other people. He is happy to be here normally.."

Rose frowned. "You mean... you think it was my fault he was like that?"

Elijah shook his head quickly. "No! I don't know what caused it. Perhaps it was something medical the doctor didn't catch. I can't imagine you'd caused it. " He'd ask him when he woke. "Don't worry about it.."

Rose nodded. "You seem to really care about him, even if you've only met him recently."

Elijah blushed clearly embarrassed. "I know. I guess I've been getting easily attached to people lately. Perhaps I have been getting lonely even though I don't want to marry."