Life is truly cruel. You never know how soon it will stretch out its cold steel hands and plunge you into poverty, drowning you, cutting off the flow of air. Sometimes it feels like fresh air will never blow in your face again.

The gaze is cast downward. The heaviness of the soul wouldn't let go.

Difficulties have haunted you since childhood, never giving you a break. It was as if they were whispering, "This is your life now."

The weight of circumstance was weighing on you, but you held on.

• Take it all off. - There was a rough voice. You hesitated, indecision gripping you. You hesitated. You were afraid. We all fear the unknown.

There were two people in the room, and you were alone. The realization hit your ego, forcing you to fight your inner thoughts.

• Enough. - The second man's voice sounded firm. It was the second man. Even sitting down, he seemed tall. Apparently, he was older, or his position was higher, because the first man didn't say anything, but only looked away with mute anger.

• Get out of here. - The masked man said.

Your heart clenched. Do you really look that pathetic?

Picking up your things, you turned around, but a voice stopped you.

• Did I say you could leave?

• W-what...? - Your voice trembled as you looked at him. His gaze was serious, but there was a softness in his blue eyes that slipped away in the darkness of the room.