this time it was almost a full five minutes and carl was almost actually asleep when ben spoke again . she bends over to collect the peroxide bottle and garbage from the ground . `` our codes changed , yours never did , '' replied the stranger , entering the room and offering his hand . just another example of how they expected to never have to deal with us again . take the poor creature to my shed . in small ways he reminded me of him . they are our tools , nothing more . 