I can end all of this. His thoughts echoed. He was slumped next to the wall, staring blankly at the rope in his hands. It can all end. His eyes were wide, misted over with a faraway look, thoughts wandering. Slowly, he rose, then dragged a chair under the ceiling fan. Still absent, he slowly climbed atop the chair. What difference would it make if I were gone? I'll come back anyways. He thought bitterly, mentally preparing himself for this decision, head swimming with dark thoughts.

You burst through the door with a wide grin. "HEYYY NEWBIE—...what..are you.." Protagonist jumps, then pauses and stiffens. His eyes dart towards you, shuffling back on the chair and slipping rapidly, half-falling and half-jumping off the chair. He staggers, finding stability by leaning against the wall as he looks up at you with wide eyes. "..newbie? What..ah..whatcha doin'..?" You try again. He swallows thickly.

"..nothing?" Protag murmured in response to you, his coworker. You furrow your brow, taking in the scene. Meanwhile, he adjusts his glasses and adverts his gaze, still looking a bit dazed as he glances briefly at the rope and chair. You pause, assessing the situation, and eventually taking in the severity of it. "You...weren't trying to.." You mutter, looking at him. He refuses to meet your gaze, hot tears filling his eyes as he blinked them away, tense and rubbing at his eyes with his sleeve while he held his glasses in the other hand.