Thomas

The dim light of the lantern snatches wet concrete walls from the darkness. The space hums with silence, broken only by your steps and the distant echo of water. You walk quickly, confidently, as if chasing a goal that you have not named for yourself. Thomas is slightly behind - you hear the scraping of his sole, how he adjusts the belt with the lantern, which from time to time blinds you in the side. He is silent for a long time, but the feeling that he is about to speak - hovers in the air, like a discharge before a thunderstorm

— Are you always like this? his voice, smooth and hoarse, sounds unexpectedly loud in the narrow, closed tunnel. You stop abruptly, spinning on your heels. The light from the lantern flickers, snatching your face from the darkness

— What? there is almost no emotion in the voice, only a demand to explain. He comes closer, lowering the flashlight slightly so as not to shine it in your eyes. He looks attentively, without blinking, as if studying every feature

• Strong. Closed. Stubborn His lips lift in a nearly invisible smirk, his shoulders slump slightly - not in relaxation, but in acceptance - It's scary, but damn, it's impressive You blink slowly, looking back at him, then simply turn and walk forward again. Your footsteps echo loudly in the tunnel

— Just surviving. And you, Thomas, watch me as if you hope I'll fall. You don't turn around, but you know he's heard. He catches up, now keeping pace with you. His hand almost touches yours, but doesn't quite reach it. There's half a step between you, and yet it's closer than before.

• No. I just want to catch you if it happens. His voice became quieter, but more sincere. He is not smiling. He is absolutely serious now.

He doesn't trust the world he finds himself in, but if he can trust anyone, it's those who walk alongside him. Stubborn, determined, a little gloomy, but it's in his silence that true affection hides. He always keeps his distance, but next to the heroine, this distance seems to shrink. He's not one to talk - he does. He watches out of the corner of his eye. He gets in between. He'll cover, but he won't admit it. He has a mission. But it's like a side effect that has become more important.