It's been a week.

The cave has become a real refuge for us.

Elliot is doing much better. Still weak. But better.

I'm doing well too.

I've gotten used to this feeling.

The feeling of being...free. Not having to do what you're told.

No constant threats. There aren't thousands of eyes staring at you anymore.

Well, yes there are...

Those eyes.

Those red eyes. That laugh.

I can't get it out of my head.

I don't think it's...? Or is it...?

After that night. I decided not to tell Elliot anything.

I can't. I just can't.

The NEDS have helped us so much. They've given us water, food, and a place to stay.

I never thought I'd be so grateful for these things.

I never thought they existed either.

They surprised me more every day.

There's something very comforting about their silent presence. Always attentive, always willing to help.

  "I want to go home, Rabbit..."

That sentence brings me out of my thoughts.

We eat outside the cave, appreciating the sun.

  "Are you sure?" I ask him, not expecting that.

  "I've never been more sure..."  he answers, finishing eating a tree branch that is actually very good. "I need to go back to my camp. They need me and I need them..."

I sigh.

I know he's right. But a part of me doesn't want to leave here.

  "I'm going to miss the NEDS..." I say.

He looks at me, confused.

  "Will you come with me?"

  "Yes..." I laugh. "After all, the truth is that I appreciate your company..."

He laughs too. 

  "So... will you be my bodyguard?"

I nod, smiling.

  "Well, let's go then..."  he stands up with difficulty.

He tries to cover it, but I know he's still in pain from the grimace he makes.

  "Wait, today?"  I get up too. "You're not okay yet..."

  "I'm okay..."  he walks into the cave.

I grab his arm, so he doesn't keep walking. He looks at it, our black spots united like a shared shadow, and he gets rid of my grip abruptly, as if he were afraid of them.

As if he were scared that he might do something to me for having them.

  "I said I'm okay..." he repeats, in a hard tone, turning around and following the path.

  "Elliot..." I call.

But he doesn't answer me. His silhouette disappears as he enters the cave.

I stay still, watching him walk away. Then, I start to observe the entrance of the place that has become our refuge.

I decide to stay outside for a while longer.

I go to the river. I wash my face. I reflect for a long time.

What's out there? What will we find?

Will we be okay?

Will those red eyes come back?

I don't want to even imagine what it will be like.

I enter the cave after a while.

The NEDS are still there. They've finished eating too and now it seems like it's time for free time.

Some are sleeping. Others are dancing and singing.

They're pretty funny.

Elliot is in our corner. The place where we've slept every day.

He's sitting, his back against the wall. He's rubbing his hands, as if trying to make those black spots go away.

But I know they won't.

There's still sadness in him.

A sadness that overflows. One that will never go away.

I know this because those spots are spreading.

Every day that I see the evolution of his hands, I can understand the reason why I have them too.

When I came to DEMA they appeared out of nowhere.

When I came to DEMA I started to drown in sadness.

I approach him slowly, with no intention of overwhelming him, and sit down next to him, hugging my hands with my legs.

Neither of us speak. He keeps rubbing his hands.

  "I don't like this..." he murmurs, breaking the silence.

I don't answer him, but I know what he's talking about.

He hates them as much as I do.

  "I'm sorry, Rabbit...for talking to you like that."

I look at him. The tiredness on his face, the way his eyes struggle to stay firm, to not collapse again.

  "It's okay..."  I smile at him.

We spend more minutes in silence, until he finally speaks.

  "I'm leaving tonight,"  he says, looking at me. "I can't stay here any longer. I'll take advantage of the darkness, it's safer, they won't see me."

I nod, although a part of me feels the same knot in my stomach as before.

Outside of here it's dangerous. Outside of here, everything can go wrong. I want to believe him, but a part of me is still very scared.

But I know we can't live in hiding forever.

  "Will you come with me?"  he asks, glancing at me. "Decide now, or I'll leave."

I sigh. I have no other choice.

  "Of course..."  I smile. "We're like a team now, aren't we?"

He smiles back.

The most genuine smile I've ever seen.

  "Yeah..."