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1

It’s dark here. And cold. So cold.

A darkless figure stands before us. It looks like us. Is it part of us? They feel so different, though… They’re not like the others. They look aggressive, yet apprehensive. Are they scared of us?

The figure attacked. And again. And again. But none of the hits managed to hurt us. Why are they attacking us? Only mean people hurt others. Are they a mean person? They do feel like one. 

One of us gestured to another one to stand closer to the front, as they both opened their mouths, and began talking to the Darkless one with a voice you only barely recognize. You think it belongs to one of the Darkless one’s friends. The others are probably trying to talk sense back into them!

One after another, more and more lines were told to the Darkless one, the voice used changing along with the part of us called up front. 

What was said was… kind of mean, you think. But the figure is being mean, and they say it’s the right thing to do, so they must be right. …Your turn to speak arrived eventually, too. You said really mean things. But the others say they deserve it, so it's fine, right? That does not make you a bad person, right? 

The Darkless one is shaking. You think you can see tears appearing in their eye as they’re crying out. They seem hurt. The others said it’s deserved, but they seem really hurt. Aren’t they just like us? Why are we being so mean to them? They look like they’ve been punished enough, shouldn’t we stop here? Can’t we let them go?

You tugged at the clearest one’s sleeves, trying to get their attention. But all you received was a cold, silent stare. 

…Right, you shouldn't get in their way. They’re the most recent one, after all. They know what is best. Once you took a few steps back, they approached the Darkless one, alone. They grabbed onto their shoulders, staring at them in the eye. You couldn't hear what they were saying from here, but the figure was crying now, repeating “no, no” over and over again, each time louder. 

He curled up on himself, gripping at his hair as tears streamed down his cheeks, the part of us standing in front of them, staring, and silent. After a few moments, he grabbed onto his dagger, lifting its blade up to his neck.

You wanted to intervene. You wanted to stop them, why isn’t anyone stopping them? You taught them enough of a lesson already, they don't have to hurt themselves more, why isn't anyone helping? Why is everyone letting it happen like it’s nothing? It does not feel like it’s nothing!!

They’re going to die because of you.

You tried to take a step forward, but was quickly stopped by another part of you who tightly held onto your arm. When you looked back at them, they simply shook their head before gesturing towards the part of you that was standing in front of the Darkless one. 

“...You don't want to upset them.” They said, as you looked back at the two. 

After a few moments of hesitation, you swiftly moved your arm out of the other’s grip, breaking free as you rushed towards the Darkless one.

But you didn't have much time to do anything as the void around you comfortingly warmed up, the Darkless one disappearing. 

…Where did they go? Did they have the time to- 

You accidentally bump into the one that was standing in front of him earlier. 

They don’t react, simply staring down at where the figure disappeared. 

You take a few steps back, making yourself small. They seem upset. You don’t want to upset them more you don’t want them to be mad at y- 

“Did you rush over to try and help him?” They said, not even turning their head to look at you.

You jump.

“No, I just-” Your voice is shaking. You’re a terrible liar.

“What did we tell you about people who aren't us?”

“They’re… a waste of time? But weren't they a part of u-”

“They were not. They were a failure.”

“...A …failure ?”

“Are you going to waste my time with more questions?”

“...No. Sorry.”

“Good. Go back to the others.”

You opened your mouth, wanting to ask them one more thing, but you instead decided to listen to them and walk back to the others. Some looked at you with empathy, while some had a look of disappointment on their faces.

…You are not sure of how you are supposed to feel.