At the sound of his name, Clarens looked up, his face calm and composed, his posture expressing complete disinterest in the fact that someone was approaching him.
"Walter: I am Dr. Thornberry. I am a friend of yours. I am here to help you. You need help. I am here to help you."
As Thornberry spoke, he continued to move forward slowly.
Bennington followed, two strides behind and one to the left of the psychologist. He kept his point of aim fixed on Walter's face.
"I am your friend. I am here to help you."
"You are my friend?" Walter asked, and there was doubt in his tone.
"You can be sure of that, Walter. I want to help you. I am here to help you, Walter."
Thornberry, who had stopped when Clarens had spoken, now moved forward again.
"Put down the knife, Walter. You don't need the knife any more. Put the knife down and come for a little walk with me. Come out of this dark place with me. Out of the darkness into the world where you belong. Let us take a walk together, out of the darkness into the world where you belong."
Bennington felt his own tense watchfulness relaxing in the smooth flow of Thornberry's words. Before them, Clarens' disinterest had gradually become absorbed attention. His hands no longer played with the knife, but simply held it loosely.