His best friend in Behala is Gardo, and unlike many of the others he is always kind to Rat. "He was born seven hours ahead of me, onto the same street, so people say. He's not my brother but he might as well be, beacuse he always knows what i'm thinking, feeling - even what I'm about to say... He can be mean it true - but then again he's taken more beatings than me, so maybe he's grown up faster. One thing I know is I'd want him on my side, always". (pages 7 & 8).