Jack's head was in his hands as she came in, but he looked up when she entered. "Avice, what are you doing here? You should be in the infirmary."
He watched her for a moment before returning to his desk, leaning over to continue his work. His back was to her and his posture was closed to her, reserved.
She glanced at him, a feeling of sadness and loneliness washing over her. "Please don't be cross with me.. I didn't mean for it to happen."
"You couldn't... You couldn't just listen to me. Just this once," he said, quietly, shaking his head.
He turned in his chair today to face her, his gaze cold. "You died today, Avice. You died because you were too damn stubborn to just listen to me for once. Am I not supposed to be upset about that? What if Natalia hadn't been there, huh? I would have lost you."
She covered her mouth to stifle a sob, staring at the ceiling. " Please don't be mad.. I didn't mean.. Please don't hurt me."
He stopped, looking stricken. "...hurt you?" His words came out in a rushed breath and he sounded choked, standing up.
She stuttered something incomprehensible, her hands still covering her face, before she blinked, her eyes teary. "Not you, Jack. You would never hurt me. Not you. The other people. The other ones."
He stared at her, disbelieving. His mouth was slightly open as he struggled with what to say. His expression was conflicted between worry and frustration before it solidified and he shook his head, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.
"The other ones," she muttered quietly under her breath, her fists clenching and unflinching before she stood up, her legs shaky, and returning to her room, her eyes wide with fear.
