Theresia.

Cliiiick. Cliiiick. Cliiiick. Cliiiick. Cliiiick.

Charlotte wound up the small music box in her hands, her grip gentler than usual. The box was light and felt fragile, as if the smallest movement could break or crush it. She set it back down on the table and sat down, legs criss crossed and clipboard in her lap. By all accounts, she was pretty relaxed, as relaxed as she could be.

The music sputtered to life, a tune that felt almost nostalgic to her, despite it being entirely new. She supposed this was the power abnormalities had, although she'd never felt a pleasant feeling during work before, not like this. Even though the skips in the music would drive her insane any other day, she felt bright and nourished and so much lighter than she had before.

She thought back, considering her old home. Her small house, small family, small self. Would mother like this tune? Maybe she would. Maybe she should take this box home with her, to mother. But in a few… She was getting sleepy, oh so sleepy… 

...How many hours have passed?

"Oh god. Oh fuck." Charlotte looked up. She sat up from where she was now sprawled out on the floor. Had she fallen asleep in containment? She vaguely recalled a horrid nightmare and the dread slammed into her like a bus. She could barely breathe. She had to get out of here. She scrambled to her feet in a horrified frenzy, whipping her arm into the music box and slamming it off the table, with no results but a scratched and bleeding hand and the music box harmlessly winding down. It took Charlotte a few seconds to remember how to operate the door past her terror and hyperventilation.

"I need to go!" Charlotte screeched as she ran out of the containment room, not even bothering to close the door. People shuffled out of the way, shaken by the sight of their captain screaming and terrified, of a TETH, no less. The scariest hardass in the facility, and she was sobbing and yelling.

But Charlotte didn't care. She wanted out of this damned facility. She wanted to go home. Screams for help and to be let out turned to incoherent sobbing and shrieking as she reached the door to the facility. If the manager would just open the door, let her out, she needs out, I need out right NOW MANAGER LET ME OUT LET ME OUT—

---

Tess smiled as she finished her work, stretching and sighing with satisfaction. It was scary working on ALEPHs, but it sure was satisfying when it was over! And she was never in actual danger, right? Just like going through a haunted house. Skipping her way to her next task, she spotted the familiar green-blue ponytail and magic bullet coat of Charlotte! Lottie, her best friend since her first week there. But something seemed off… She was huddled on the ground, twitching and sobbing and clawing at the walls and floor with rough and bloodied hands. The skin was worn away at her fingertips, leaving trails of bright, sticky red.

"H-help me… I need out… Let me out… M-manager… Manager can you hear me? P-please, l-let me out…" Charlotte murmered, just loud enough for Tess to hear as she approached the crumpled form of her friend. Charlotte's voice was soft, softer than Tess was used to— Charlotte usually kept her voice deep and intimidating— and hoarse from crying and hollering.

Tess knelt down, laying a soft and comforting hand on Charlotte's back, causing the woman to jolt and begin to shake in fear. A pang of sadness struck through Tess's chest and stomach. She'd been so used to seeing Charlotte as strong and beautiful and untouchable, but this was so far from that image. It reminded Tess that even this woman she'd grown so close to and looked up to was only human. She hoped she could help. She was useless at everything, in her opinion, but she'd try, for Charlotte. It's the least she could do, and what precious Lottie deserved.

"Lottie, Lottie calm down, it's just me, it's okay." Tess whispered softly, running her hand down Charlotte's back, the same way Tess's own mother used to when she was sad or scared. "I'll help you, okay? Can you listen and trust me?"

Tess got no response other than a slow, hissing exhale of breath and a hiccup. Charlotte looked up at Tess and locked eyes, Charlotte's deep Prussian blue eyes holding no light when matched with Tess's glimmering hazel. Concerning. Tess could see for an eternity in those fearful, unfocused eyes, but she couldn't see what was hurting Charlotte.

"What was that?" Tess asked, wrapping an arm under Charlotte's chest in an attempt to support her, preparing to stand.

"H-happy birthday…" Charlotte mumbled, barely audible. "But I want to go home… I want out…"

"Hey, hey, it's okay, Lottie. I'm here now, I'll help you." Tess replies, hoisting Charlotte on unsteady feet. She was sweaty and her whole left arm was bloody. If she took Charlotte to the Welfare Department, they could patch her up there and help her, maybe.

"Tessie… I'm… I'm so scared…" There was that pang of hurt in Tess's chest again, as she led Charlotte back into the facility, deeper in, away from the outside world. Away from where Charlotte wants to go, she thought to herself. She felt almost cruel doing this. But taking Charlotte to the doctor was the right thing.

What was usually a small trip took a considerable amount of time. Charlotte's unsteadiness and occasional unresponsiveness made it hard for Tess to lug the taller lady around. But they made it to Welfare all the same. A molehill of a task, turned into a mountain.

"Hello, Um, I need assistance for V-level Agent, um, Charlotte Eager!" Tess called as she reached the small infirmary. She set Charlotte down softly in a chair, and crouched to be eye to eye with her. 

"It'll be okay, Lottie. I have other work to do, but I'll check up on you once I'm done, okay?" Tess reassured, putting her hand on Charlotte's shoulders. It seemed that Charlotte was beginning to come to her senses, just a little bit. She nodded and held up her arms to the green-haired girl.

"Tess… Will you hug me for just a second…? I'm sorry but I… I just need one…" Charlotte asked softly.

"Of course."

Tess warmly wrapped her arms around Charlotte, running her hand through the woman's hair and patting her on the back softly. As the hug concluded, she planted a small kiss on the top of Charlotte's head.

"I'll see you soon, Lottie." Tess said with a small smile, hoping that even just the smallest tell of happiness would help. And then she left.

Once she was well out of the Welfare Department, Tess began to cry.