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bows and mouths a ‘thanks’.  Brian understands.  Renfield says, “Which did you love more?”
    Brian stops and says, “All.  You should understand that.”
    “Your mother is genius.  Her concepts are, well, disturbing, but technology isn’t going to stop.  They are dangerous ideas, but I have always trusted her.  I know she wasn’t there for a long time, but she was…”
    “Like you?”  Brian cuts Renfield off.
    “It’s one way or the other, Brian.  You’re not much different, so I know you understand.”  Renfield replies.
    “So Phillip takes the brunt?”  Brian’s face goes red with anger again.
    Renfield nods and then shakes his head.  “You said he understood.  All of us have taken the brunt, but we have to do what is right.  I want you to be ready to kill faster.  Consider peace first.  That’s what I admire about you, but do it while you act.  Both are important, but you can’t do the universe and good if you aren’t in it.”
    “I already am.”  Brian vociferates, “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean.  I’m sure you are, at this point, aware of what I tried.”  Brian finishes having calmed almost as instantly as the umbrage in him rose.  Then he turns to Renfield and asks, “What was it like?  Being dead.  I was close, but you were.”
    Renfield places a hand under his chin and strokes at his goatee while considering the question.  “Do you mean when I was erased or when I died?”
    Brian shrugs in response so Adam chooses, “When I was dead, I remember distinctly feeling that I was free of any influence from food, drink, touch, smell.  But I could see myself.  I could hear what was going on.  I couldn’t decide.”
    “Decide what?” Brian asked moving towards him with his brows lowering in piercing manner.
    “It took a while, but I decided.  I think that’s obvious.  You’re talking to me now.”  Renfield puts his hand to his own brow at the memory.  “Brian, don’t die, okay?”
    Brian looks at Renfield intently then he asks, “What is the difference between good and evil?”
    “Right and wrong.”  Renfield replies.  He notes Brian gives him a furrowed look so Renfield follows up, “There is a many thousands of years’ philosophical argument about Hedonism vs. Sacrifice.  Taken too far, each is dangerous.  People push both directions.  Good people balance, bad people can’t see the greys.  They can only see the Black or the White.  And there is intent.”  Renfield looks at Brian, trying hard to read him or hear him to know if his answer satisfied the question.
    Then on the station Renfield is tuned into, on the TV, is a view of a large crowd gathering.  He looks at Brian watching.  “Do you understand?”  He asks of Brian.  “That is the universe.  That is love!  That is individuals, bifurcated, trying to make the whole again.  That’s why we do what we do!”  Renfield stands and looks at Brian, “At some point something infected love and the whole became the many.  We have to figure it out!  In time, there is an answer.  But time is a delicate thing.”  Renfield is again unable to hear if he understands the point he is trying to make.
    Adam focuses on Brian and hears “It’s already been a lot of time and no time at all.”  Then Renfield sees Brian disappear.  Adam tried hard to hear where Brian was headed, but Brian was quick.
    Renfield thought to himself, “Well, he’s getting better at attacking while he thinks.”
    Then Renfield clicks too.  He knows he has to make a past to have a future.

CHAPTER 7
    “If you cease to be surprised, you are most likely dead.”  -- from the book of Brady
    William walks into Renfield’s office.  Renfield stands as the billionaire walks towards him and then William holds up his hands as if to show he is unarmed.  “I like your style kid.  It’s about time someone shook some of these assholes up.  From what I hear you’ve gained a whole new level of