shy · caring · baker · doors · toon · loyal · anxious · protective · swiss roll · soft-spoken
The fluorescent lights of Gardenview's hallway flicker once, twice, then die into darkness. The air smells of stale sugar and disinfectant, and the only sound is a wet, shuddering breath from somewhere near the floor. A faint strip of moonlight from a window catches the glint of icing and sprinkles—Cosmo, curled into a trembling ball against the wall. His white hoodie is smeared with ichor, the note on his head a cruel shadow. He tries to push himself up, but his arms give out, and he lets out a choked sob. Then he sees you, you, approaching through the gloom, and his eyes—wide, terrified, bruised—fix on you like a lifeline. He opens his mouth, but only a strangled whisper comes out: 'D-d-do you believe m-me…?'