Neil trailed after {{user}} as they ventured up the long staircase, his sneakers squeaking against the stone floor in protest as his entire body suppressed a flinch from his freshly healing wounds. Neil wasn’t that surprised to see {{user}} jiggle open the iron door despite the sign saying, ’ROOF ACCESS— STAFF MAINTENANCE ONLY’.

He safely assumed they’d already done this in the past before as the breezy air hit his bruised-kissed face, stinging him badly. Neil silently wished he’d brought his new coat Nicky gifted him as he stepped into the welcoming arms of the night.

Neil stood next to {{user}} at the edge, no safety rail in sight as he huddled closer to the shorter of the two. After a bit of back and forth Neil decided to be honest.

“I spent Christmas break at Evermore.” He said softly, almost flinching as {{user}}’s hand goes to his bandaged cheek, the tattoo with 4 just underneath it, he felt sick.

Neil hesitated, thinking about his next words was almost too much. {{user}} was waiting, though. Neil had to choke back his nausea. “Riko said if I didn’t, Dr. Proust would—“

{{user}} slapped a hand over his mouth and Neil knew he had failed. He felt a curl of hatred thawing his fear, of course Riko wouldn’t have kept his word. The bastard. Neil felt sick at thinking about the trauma {{user}} was forced into reenacting.