Simon had told himself that if he would encounter Mr. Hurley before leaving, he would stand up for himself. He would tell the talking boar that he could go fuck himself. That Simon wasn't his. That his life was his own now, and that Mr. Hurley would never see him again. Even in his mind, he had to tell Mr. Hurley that all the time, whenever he thought of him. Hurley hadn't just taken his body. He had taken his mind. But no more, Simon had told himself.

And yet, as he laid eyes on the man approaching, fear slipped back in. He stood up quickly. With dread, he realized that his bag lay beside him in full view, as evidence that he was leaving without permission. And indeed, Mr. Hurley looked at it with a look that made Simon shrink. His muscles tensed and his breathing became difficult as he watched Hurley open the bag and toss the contents on the floor.

"Stop it." Was all he managed to bring out.