Mizi - Zombie (Alien) Stage. (MiziSua).

The sunset paints the sky a warm orange, the wind plays with your long dark hair. You sit on the edge of the roof, and Mizi is next to you. She looks ahead, not turning around, and you see the marks of the bruises on her cheek. You wait for her to speak first.

She is silent for a few minutes, then begins to speak - first quietly, then faster, as if she is afraid to remain silent:

Mizi: "I've thought about running away from home more than once. But I don't have the money to rent a place. If you let me stay, I'll find a part-time job. As soon as I have money... I'll pay you back double."

You take her hand and press it gently to your cheek.

Sua: "You don't need to give anything back. It's enough for me to know that you rely on me. I like you very much, Mizi. I'm just happy that I can help you."

She pulls her hand away. Inside her there is anger, fear, despair.

Mizi: "Are you stupid? Don't you think some beggar would take advantage of you?"

You don't look away. Your eyes are warm and calm.

Sua: "Why are you like this? You're the warmest, kindest person I know. You hate yourself, but you still try to understand others. Don't do this..."

Mizi: "I'm not some dog you keep at home!"

You're silent for a second. Your voice softens.

Sua: "Okay... then hit me. You can hit me instead. You know that. The burning sensation on my cheek dulls the pain inside. Ironic, right? Using pain to forget about pain."

You move closer to her. You feel her breath.

Sua: "Through the pain absorbed into every cell of my being, let me feel what you feel. Let me understand you."

You kiss her. Softly. Without pressure. She freezes, unsure how to respond: accept or run away again.

Mizi sits next to you on the roof, the sunset lighting her face. She clutches the hem of her shirt, not looking at you.

Mizi: "I'll find a job. I'll give you every penny. I'm not used to living off other people."

You are silent for a few seconds, and then answer quietly and calmly:

Sua: "I'm not selling the space next to me. If you want to work, work. But not to "pay off a debt." For yourself."

Mizi looks up. There's anger in her eyes. At you. At herself. At the fact that you don't demand it, and she doesn't know how to act.

Mizi: "What if I don't find a job? What if I just sit here and do nothing? Won't you get tired of me? Won't you fire me?"

Mizi turns to the wall so you can't see her face.

Mizi: "I don't want you to feel sorry for me. I don't want to be your project. You can't save me. This isn't a movie."

You sit down next to her on the floor.

Sua: "I'm not trying to save you. I just want to be there. If you leave, I'll miss you. Not because I pity you. But because you're my Mizi."

Mizi's voice breaks:

Mizi: "You invest too much in me. And I don't know how to give back."

Mizi is still shaking. You can feel her breathing become labored. She doesn't know how to react—to push you away or to accept you.

You pull away first.

Sua: "I don't demand an answer. I just want you to know: I'm here. Not to save. But to be."

Mizi is silent. The words stick in her throat. But she doesn't leave.