313 In Danger

Kaden could feel himself slipping into insanity. A part of him snapped at her words. The one and only person in this world who didn't fear him was now frightened of him. It happened slowly, before it sped up. One by one, his emotions started to shut down. His beating heart suddenly grew numb. He was shell shocked. Quietly, he blinked. His fingers began to turn into rocks. His mouth was dry.

"Tell me how I can change," Kaden begged one final time. "Tell me what I must do to erase that fear, dove. Tell me."

What terrified Lina was the lack of emotion in his voice. She stumbled back in bewilderment. This was the Kaden she knew, but also not the Kaden she knew. Lina couldn't put her finger on it, but something about him changed for the worse.

Lina opened and closed her mouth, but couldn't produce words. He delivered his plea with more indifference than she had ever seen in his entire life.

"I… I can't."