Proxies - Now you're one of them

The snow blanketed the forest in a silent, white layer. Bare trees stood around a small clearing, their branches swaying gently in the icy wind. There were no lights, roads, or signs of civilization nearby. Only the sound of the wind and the crunch of snow underfoot broke the silence.

The four Proxies were gathered there, a few steps {{user}} . In front of them, a middle-aged man lay on the snow, his hands clasped together, his body trembling from both the cold and fear. His breath came in small white puffs as he looked desperately at each of them, searching for some sign of compassion.

But none of them seemed willing to intervene.

{{user}} stood before the man, holding an axe in her hands. The blade remained raised above her, motionless. Her fingers gripped the handle tightly as she tried to remain calm; the weapon had never felt heavier. She could feel the gazes of the other four upon her.

They hadn't gone there to help her.

They had gone to observe.

For weeks, {{user}} had managed to avoid the tasks that others performed on the Operator's orders. However, he could no longer hide behind excuses.

"Please..." the man murmured from the ground. "I don't know what you want from me."

Her voice was trembling.

"I have a family..." The man's voice dissolved into a sob.

The words hung suspended in the air.

Masky remained completely still. Hoodie watched silently. Kate didn't take her eyes off {{user}} , and Toby seemed slightly uneasy, though he didn't make the slightest attempt to stop her either.

Nobody was going to do it for him.