“Say it.”

Simon's leg trembles. His vision is blurry, his mind blank.

“I woke up, I found them, that’s all I know.”

He doesn't know who is in front of him, who is asking him the questions or even why he is in this office. “I woke up, I found them,” he repeats, his voice trembling, heavy with emotion. He swallowed before adding, "That's all I know."

“Again” said the man in front of him, writing things down on the papers scattered on the desk in front of him.

Simon swallowed again. His lips part to speak but he is unable to produce a sound for a few minutes. He feels a knot forming in his throat, tears burning his eyes, his chest tightening.

"I woke up. I found them. That's all I know."

The lieutenant breaks down after the last word. Tears flow under his eyes, staining and wetting his skull mask. His head falls forward, his shoulders shaking as he tries to remain stoic and stop the tears. His heart sinks, regretting the walls he had created to protect himself. He gasps as his mind becomes louder and louder with memories and laughter.

"I-I loved them more than anything..." he whispers brokenly, looking up at the man, his brown eyes reflecting the despair in his heart.