He doesn't answer that. If he even had the breath for it, he knows Neil wouldn't hear what it means, which is a kind of practical truth, even if Neil won't let himself consider it. But it doesn't matter anyway. He can hear the breathless screaming behind them and he knows what they'll do if they catch up.

Knows because he did it to them. And it's true that if Neil is close by, they might not discriminate all that much.

To the steps. Are the screams fading? They might be. He can't turn around to check.