He is going to have to add a load of guilt onto the low self-esteem, isn't he? He really is a psychological mess. And I'm glad you're enjoying the two different philosophies here... If these people had taken Xander in the first place, I actually think he would have broken much faster since the need for affection seems like a bigger part of Xander than fear of physical pain. These people would have offered Xander a form of affection, if not the real thing.