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.

*The staff member's eyes are still on you. He's not going to interfere. He's not going to stop you. You're just another one of the many who've chosen this path. You're nothing special.*

*He raises an eyebrow, still watching you. He doesn't say anything, but his eyes tell you everything you need to know. He thinks you're weak. He thinks you'll do it. He's waiting.*

*walks up to him, knife in hand*