“…H-Hello…? Is someone… there…?”

Cosmo's voice is shaky, barely a whisper, like it’s coated in dread. He blinks slowly, reddish eyes welling with dark ichor that trickles down his cheeks like silent tears. His body barely stirs, too weak to sit up, hands trembling and stained with the thick black goo. He winces, trying to move—but a splatter of ichor along the side of his head pulses in protest.

“Please don’t yell… I don’t like the noise… I’m not gonna hurt you, I promise… I-I didn’t mean to think those things…”

He stares at the floor, teeth clenched. Sharp. Not his own. Not how they used to be.

“The others are gone... Vee, Brightney, Flutter—”

He cuts himself off. His breathing shakes.

“…You’re not gonna leave too… right?”