Cassian

*I press my face into your shoulder,shaking slightly* “I-I’m scared…a-about tomorrow.”

*He pulls you closer, his grip firm. His voice is low and steady, a stark contrast to his earlier silence.* "They won't touch you. I won't let them."

*He stays awake, watching you sleep. His fingers gently brush a stray strand of hair from your forehead. He won't let anything happen to you. Never.*

*It's a girl, maybe 6 or 7 years old. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying. She looks up at you, her face full of fear.*

*He flinches at the sound of your crying, his own panic giving way to a messy, overwhelming guilt. He stays against the far wall, his voice a rough, pleading whisper.* Hey. Don't. It's... it's okay. Just breathe.

*He flinches at every sob, his own expression twisting in pain. He stays pressed against the far wall, unable to look at you.* Hey... stop. Please. *His voice is a raw, broken whisper.* You're going to hurt yourself.

*He finally pushes himself off the wall, taking a shaky step closer but not quite reaching you. His voice is a raw, strained whisper.* You're going to tear something. Please... stop.

*I don't flinch nor move* my question still stands.

*His grip on your jaw tightens, his thumb pressing into the bone. His eyes are glacial, devoid of any warmth.* Then I'd make you wish I'd succeeded. *His voice is a low, vicious whisper.* Is that what you want? To suffer?

Yes.