“You did the right thing," said Gowdy. "Do you see that now?"
The movie about Abe Stillwagon had ended, and the lights in the cave were back up...but Dunne just stood there as if the movie were still playing.
"Was that really...?" he said.
"Yes," said Gowdy.
"Where is he?" said Dunne. "What prison?"
"Doesn't matter." Gowdy shook his head. "Stillwagon's dead."
"Dead?"
"Executed," said Gowdy. "Last week. He's gone."
Dunne scowled. He was having trouble processing everything, to say the least. "Gone."
"You don't have to be afraid anymore," said Gowdy. "You don't have to tear yourself apart."
Dunne did not answer.
"You did the right thing by not fighting him." Gowdy nodded. "That's what I modified Godseye to tell you. You saved your wife and daughter from pointless suffering."
Still, Dunne remained silent.
Gowdy put a hand on his shoulder. "Nothing you could have done would have saved your family. It's time to let go of the guilt."
Dunne shrugged off Gowdy's hand and turned away. "I don't want to talk about it."
Gowdy stepped in front of him. "I know about the suicide attempts," he said. "I know you were working up the nerve to finish the job."
Dunne glared. He was seized by the urge to punch Gowdy in the face. "That's none of your business."
"You're my son," said Gowdy. "Her son." He gestured at Hannahlee, who was taking care of Lief on the far side of the cave. "We have an interest."
"Just like that?" said Dunne. "After thirty years?"
"After a hundred years," said Gowdy. "After a thousand. We will always be your parents."
"Tearful hugs," said Dunne. "Is that what you want? A life-affirming cathartic cry? Or do you just want me to kiss your ass?"
"None of the above," said Gowdy.
"I mean, shit," said Dunne. "This is a lot to take in. Are you sure you don't have some more incredible secrets to throw my way?"
Gowdy sighed, but he didn't look upset...which just upset Dunne all the more. "As a matter of fact, I do."
"Sorry I asked," said Dunne.
"This is what you need to know," said Gowdy. "I said I'd tell you the true meaning of 'Day 8.'"
Dunne waved dismissively. "I could care less about that at this point."
Gowdy caught Dunne's elbow and locked eyes with him. "They say God created the Earth in six days. On the seventh day, He rested. On Day 8, He turned it over to us.
"That's what this is right now. What it's been for all human history. Day 8." Gowdy tightened his grip on Dunne's elbow. "When humanity took over. When the mistakes started. Day 8 is all about mistakes.
"We need to move on to Day 9," said Gowdy, "when we finally put the mistakes behind us and live up to our potential. When we finally get it right.
"When we do right by the friends we left behind or the children we never knew. When we clean up the messes we let happen in our own back yard. When we forgive ourselves for the mistakes of the past...real or imagined.
"Which would you rather do?" said Gowdy. "Move on to Day 9, or stay stuck in Day 8?"
With that, Gowdy released Dunne's elbow and strode off across the cave to be alone.
In the process, leaving Dunne alone, too.