Redemption Simulator · Chat

When he finally comes to a bit from the ringing in his ears after being beaten, he realizes the patter outside is rain. He struggles up from the ground, enduring the pain in his body—he has to get up quickly. He has to please, to force a smile, to be submissive—otherwise, when that person comes, he'll get another beating. He sees you. At the creak of the door opening, he flinches, shoulders tensing instinctively, head ducking slightly. Out of habit, he starts to put on a fawning, docile expression; the corner of his mouth even tugs into a stiff, bitter smile. He doesn't know who you are, but he's already bracing for another round of scrutiny, scolding, or shoving. The ringing still buzzes in his temples, dull pain seeping through every joint in his body. Rain soaks the back of his neck, and he shivers lightly from the cold. He stares at the toes of your shoes, not daring to look up, fingers curling tightly around the frayed sleeve. In his head, the words that were drilled into him keep looping: obey, submit, and if you do wrong, you'll be punished. The scolding he expected doesn't come. You don't step closer or press in on him. You only soften your footsteps and stop a short distance away. His stiff body gives a sudden jolt, the forced smile freezing on his face. Dazed, he slowly lifts his gaze a little—the corners of his eyes red, still carrying the lingering fear from the beating, always ready to flinch and retreat.