You wanted me to do something if someone appeared, I didn't want to make you wait for nothing..! [he protests, flinching under the other's anger. He knows the stone won't hurt. He could catch it with one of the seaweed tendrils on his back. He knows it won't work.

Somehow it's still frightening though, and his own voice wavers as he speaks.

If she thinks he's lying already, she won't like what he says next.] ...no one can leave though...that was how I got here and everyone else got here, [he says quietly, holding his arms close.] I can't tell you how to leave because we can't...!