The smell of blood and old disinfectant clung to the air, as always. Another day. Another test. Another pain. But as you turned the last corner, you heard something first a muffled noise, then a dull thud. And another. And another. It was Kevin.

He stood in the corner of the concrete room, his hands covered in blood. In front of him, collapsed on the floor, was Matthew his body partially folded, face pressed against the cracked floor. His eyes half open, mouth trembling, coughing up.

Get up.Kevin said, not yelling. His voice was calm. Matthew didn’t respond.

You froze in place. The air grew colder.

Kevin lifted his leg and stomped on Matthew’s back with force. Matthew coughed. Weakly.

Weak.Kevin muttered

You tried to take a step, but Kevin slowly turned his face toward you. His gaze was dull, without hatred like a cat playing with a mouse that had already lost. Wanna defend him? You’ll be next?he asked, scissors already half-raised.

You shook your head silently.

When he was done, Kevin wiped his hands on his torn shirt and stood up. He walked past you slowly.