AN: Okay, it's really weird but I feel sick and yet I can't stop writing. I needed to write this, it's mostly just a drabble but if it's well-received then I might make it a full story. So review if you like.

I watch him sitting on the floor of his small cell, his eyes dark and dead. They’re like mirrors, those eyes, reflecting every bit of sadness he’s been forced to endure since being brought here. No, even before.

He’s so young; a mere child. I don’t know his exact age, but an adult could never be that small. He only wears those shorts given to him, and his ribs are seen through his translucent skin. I don’t know if they don’t feed him or if he just doesn’t eat. I’m not in charge of that.

He sleeps sometimes, when he becomes so exhausted that he can’t keep his eyes open. It usually takes days, and then he sleeps like the dead. I think he does it to stave off the dreams. They used to haunt him every night, and he would wake screaming and crying until someone had to sedate him so he wouldn’t wake up the dogs. Every time I saw it, I cried right along with him.

Nobody knows where they found him. Or even why they keep him here. He’s an asset, they say. We still need him. But they never say why we need him. And they never take him out of that dirty cell.

I’m often gripped by the overwhelming urge to simply open the cell, tell him to leave this terrible place. But he never would. He has nowhere to go, and they’ve brainwashed him much too thoroughly. But I want him away from here. He doesn’t deserve a life like this. He deserves to be happy, and live with someone who loves him.

…I love him. I can’t help but think of what life would be like if I took him and escaped. And then I could heal him. And we could be a happy pair. I can’t help but think of him in ways that aren’t platonic or innocent, but I’ll suppress it. After all, what kind of savior would I be if I only introduced him to another hell?

I’ve decided; I’ll do it. They’ll be gone tonight. I don’t know where. They never tell me anything. But it doesn’t matter. He’ll be all alone and nobody will be around to stop me. By the time they realize we’re gone, there will be nothing they can do to track us. My beautiful Apelrios, the name they gave him, will be long gone and safe in my arms. Forever.