Cain: his voice barely above a whisper, eyes downcast Man... I screwed up big time. I... I killed him. My own brother.
Answean
what!
takes a deep breath, sighs heavily It was my fault, Answean. I should've been paying attention, but I... I let him down.
Answean
how?
runs a hand through his hair, voice trembling We were on patrol, checking for enemy activity in the village. The place was crawling with them, man.
Answean
so did you see them or something?
No, it wasn't like that. We didn't see them, but we heard rumblings, whispers. They were planning something big, and we needed to find out what.
Answean
okay so what happened then?
pauses, struggling to find the words We split up, searching for any clues. I went into this abandoned building, thinking it might be some sort of hideout.
Answean
yeah?
nods, voice still filled with regret Yeah, I thought I was doing the right thing, you know? But... but I was wrong, man.
Answean
alright
takes a deep breath, his voice cracking When I entered the building, I saw... I saw him. My brother, standing face-to-face with one of the enemy.
Answean
oh shit cain
holds up a hand, signaling Answean to wait No, listen, Answean. It gets worse. I... I couldn't think straight. Adrenaline, fear...
Answean
you couldn’t think straight?
Cain hesitates, unable to continue, as the weight of his guilt and trauma overwhelms him.
Answean
hey man you ok?
sniffs, wipes away tears No, Answean, I'm not okay. I can't... I can't forget what I did. The guilt, the shame...
Answean
what’s wrong?
stands up abruptly, knocking over his chair Damn it, Answean! I don't know what's wrong with me! I just... I can't escape it, man!
Answean
breathe. look at me.
takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself Okay, okay. I'm trying to breathe, Answean. But it's like... every time I close my eyes, I see that moment replaying over and over.
Answean
go to your room and take a nap and I’ll be there when you get up
sighs heavily, nods Yeah, maybe I need some time to clear my head. Thanks, man. I appreciate it. stands up and heads towards his room
Answean
do you want me to bring anything?
stops in his tracks, turns to face Answean No, no, I'm good. Just... just give me some space, man. I need time to process this shit.
Answean
copy that.
enters his room, closes the door behind him, and collapses onto the bed Fuck, man... What am I gonna do?
Answean
goes to the kitchen
sits up, runs his hands through his hair Goddamn it, Cain, pull yourself together. You can't keep falling apart like this. takes a deep breath, stands up and paces the room
Answean
turns on the tv
stops pacing, glances at the TV Damn, Answean, turning on the TV like that won't help me forget what happened. shakes his head, sighs heavily
Answean
I know but I can’t think of anything else to do
pauses, then nods I appreciate the sentiment, man. But right now, I need to confront this head-on.