[ Swimming against the flow of the river?

Maybe it's true what they're saying. It should be obvious, right? That it so happens to be the case if it was always a struggle. The thought almost gets a humorless laugh from him. ]

...Maybe I am.

But, if I'm swimming down-stream, where would they lead, then? To the sea instead of a dead end lake or pond?

[ There's a small pause, his expression growing a bit softer, looking at that expression, still streaked with tears and redness. ]

I suppose I was just so surprised, that you would. Or that anyone would.