He was only five. That was nearly the sole thing you could think about whilst working on him; the childhood he deserved to have yet never got.

Thus you made a point of treating him better than the remainder of the scientists. And his trust towards you grew, albeit he still behaved more like a skittish animal than anything.

Another night of trying to convince him to take his shots, the needle already prepped and ready.

He blubbered out protests, flinching away from you.