"****... can I not go back?" His voice sounded small and exhausted within the quiet space around him. "I don't want to see them...nor experience those things again for now... I'm really at my limit..."he pleaded desperately, shoulders trembling slightly as he lowered his head. "It's so peaceful here..." The surrounding area remained silent. Calm. Empty. Unlike the constant chase,life and death situations,the looks of hatred and insults,this place almost felt comforting in comparison. Then suddenly. A black panel with glowing red edges materialized directly in front of his face. The dim crimson glow from its sides faintly illuminated his tired expression. "..." But nothing appeared on it at first. No words. No response. Only an empty black screen with dots. Then,after several long seconds of silence,white text slowly flickered onto the panel. At the same time, a mechanical voice echoed throughout the space. "You know it is still angry at what you just did,right?" The moment those words were spoken, his expression immediately tightened with guilt and uneasiness. "I-I know..." he answered quietly. Then more desperately this time. "B-but please, ****... I really don't want to go back." His hands clenched tightly together. Almost pleading. Almost terrified. Like the mere thought of returning filled him with exhaustion far beyond just physical tiredness. "..." Silence. The white text on the panel slowly disappeared again,leaving behind only the empty black screen and the soft red glow surrounding its edges. For a moment,nothing happened. Then finally. new words slowly appeared. "Fine..." A brief pause followed before the mechanical voice spoke once more. "It will help you." The moment those words reached him, the tension in his body loosened slightly. Not fully. But enough for a shaky breath to finally escape him. ___________________ What could have happened? 🤔 Come and take a look to find out! (⁠ ⁠╹