All around the room people are hiding their faces in their hands silently, or watching with gravely blank faces. The burly man backs to the corner of the room and looks away.

Cougar rubs his forehead, looking troubled. Things are silent for several minutes like that before Cougar gets the courage to speak.

“Is he okay?” Asks Cougar, standing awkwardly behind me. “Thomas, bring the first aid kit.” He says to a teenage boy. I don’t say a word to Cougar.

I crouch next to Soren cradling his bleeding hand and talking to him softly.

Cougar turns to everyone else in the room, and addresses them.

“Everyone listen up, I severely doubt this young man is a Spy. I mean, just look at him. He’s wet himself.” Cougar says incredulously.

“Leave him be.” I say quietly with stone coldness in my voice, “and please fetch him some clean clothes.” The curly haired woman gets up and silently leaves the room to find something for Soren to wear.

The teenage boy returns with the first aid kit and hands it to me wordlessly. Everyone watches silently as I remove the blood stained shirt from Soren’s hand and wrap his wound with gauze and a bandage.

The woman returns with a fresh outfit, and lays it on the chair next to us.

“Excuse me,” I say icily to Cougar, “is there a private room I can take him too?”

Cougar shrugs. “I guess you could use mine,” he offers, “just for the night.” I thank him and assist Soren. I take Soren’s uninjured hand and lead him down the hallway, where I find a small room with a real bed, sheets, pillows, and even a window. I know this must be Cougar’s room.

I close and lock the door behind us and hand Soren the change of clothes. He makes no move to undress.

“Soren I know you’re shy, but I have to keep my eyes on you at all times,” I tell him, “just change.”

Soren slowly removes his pants and underwear and hands them to me. He fumbles with the new outfit, trying to put it in with an injured hand.

I sigh and have to come over and help him dress. I put his old clothes in a washtub and sit down on the bed with Soren.

“Soren, can I talk to you?” I say quietly. Soren nods slowly, looking down.

“Next time you feel like hurting yourself, please just stop and let me know. I promise I can help you, okay?” I say firmly. Soren looks uncertain.

“I hate to say this Soren, but you need to try and pull yourself together or The Stand won’t accept you,” I explain, “I have seen you functioning more normally before, can you do that?”

Soren nods slowly.

“I can try,” He whispers, “for you I will do my best.” I smile and give him an awkward hug. I’m not used to being so soft and mushy with people, it feels weird.

“Now go to sleep.” I say, pushing Soren back onto the bed and covering him with the blanket.

“Don’t leave me here alone!” Whimpers Soren as I turn to leave. I wanted to go talk to the Stand, but I guess I had better stay with Soren instead. I don’t want to take my eyes off him, I worry he will get hurt.

I look out the tiny dusty window pane to see the red glow of the sun setting through thick pollution. When Soren’s not looking I take my knife and hide it in a drawer where Soren can’t get it.

Then I without hesitation climb into bed with Soren. He’s curled up quietly, almost asleep.

As I lay here, I can’t help but think about Esoreci , and how she should be here with me. I suddenly feel terribly lonely. I quietly scoot closer to Soren. Being near him is comforting, even though he’s the one who needs help.

As I drift to sleep I can’t help but cuddle up right next to Soren, warm and safe.

Sometime in the middle of the night I am woken by a loud clanking and rumbling of a flying vehicle cruising past the base. I open my eyes and glance to the small window, all I see is smog and dead buildings.

I notice Soren is awake next to me. He is propped up on his elbow facing me, watching me with a quiet expression.

“Oh, Soren,” I exclaim, “you’re awake? Are you doing okay?”

Soren’s lips twitch at the corners with the hint of a shy smile.

“I guess so. I just couldn’t sleep is all.” He sighs. I know he has trouble sleeping at night. I check on his hurt hand, and tell him to lay down and sleep. He looks at me with disappointment.

“But...I can’t sleep,” He says in a small voice, “it’s scary here.”

I nod sympathetically.

“You’re doing a good job,” I reassure him, “nothing bad can happen to you when I’m right with you, okay? You need to just relax and trust me.”

“But if I’m asleep how can I tell if your still there?”

“Tell you what, Soren. Here’s what I’m gonna do.” I gently grasp Soren’s shoulders and force him to lay back. Then I put my arm around him and rest my head against him. I feel him tense up nervously.

“Soren, now you’ll be able to tell I’m still here all night. And you also need to learn that human touch doesn’t always result in pain.” I explain, already feeling Soren starting to relax. He must be tired.

He doesn’t even reply before falling asleep peacefully.