Rorschach was having a terrible day, miring himself deep in self-loathing and guilt. Yesterday, at the carnival, he had done the unthinkable. He had fornicated with the very girl he was supposed to protect. Even though she had written messages imploring him to come back, saying that it hadn't been rape, even saying that she loved him, he needed time to get his thoughts back together.
He was not wearing his mask, today. To wear Rorschach's mask would be to sully a hero's name. It would profane what Rorschach stood for. He was not worthy of being Rorschach, with what he had done. Walter Kovacs was a dog, just like the rest, just like the filthy maggots of society.
However, old habits died hard. He had spent the night faithfully patrolling Vas Captio, and he was heading back to the clocktower to go to bed and at least apologize to Merope in person. Though Rorschach was not good at apologizing, he had to say something to the girl. Men who slept with women and then left them, Rorschach had realized around 1:00 AM, were terrible people. He didn't want to be a terrible person.
He passed the thrift store, thinking about stopping inside for a moment and picking up a new pair of slacks. His current pair was filthy and worn, and they felt dirty for having fornicated with them nearby. Once inside, though, it didn't take the red-haired man long to notice that he wasn't alone.
"Have not seen you before," he said, in his typical gruff voice.