He shook his head, too, putting a hand up in a vague and awkward way. Maybe he was trying to wave the apology off? "Don't be sorry. I've had a...long time to make my peace with it. And I've already had more time than..."

He trails off, unsure how exactly to finish that sentence. He certainly expected to be dead and gone ages ago. "But you understand why I feel so strongly, right? I have to believe- it's possible to save everyone."