[-][1x1][L-N+] Walls and Silence (with Rent_junkie)

[BrokenScreamBox]

Olan gave no response and just resumed staring at the sky through the window. Perhaps he was getting the best life he could get with the circumstances he was in, but was it so bad to wish to get out?

"Being in here drives me crazy sometimes," he signed, though slowly to express his sadness. "How much longer do I have to be in here?"  

[Rent_junkie]

"For the rest of your life most likely." He signed sadly back.  

[BrokenScreamBox]

He turned just in time to see Marco's response, and then he curled up. That wasn't the answer he wanted. He expected some kind of time limit or something that would give him even an inkling of his upcoming freedom. To be told that he would most likely never get out, he wasn't sure if he could handle it.  

[Rent_junkie]

"You could have been dead though. Or out there."

He pointed out to the other prisoners.

"But you don't have to do that work or get beaten like them. You're here and safe."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

Olan took a glance outside, and once again he saw the laborers. He caught sight of some with scars and bruises, amd he remembered why they were miserable. They were often beaten for reasons he had yet to know, though he was sure it was from even taking a moment's rest. How could he have forgotten that this whole place was a prison? How could he have not seen them before?

"Why am I here and not out there?" Olan signed, though he should probably know the answer by now. "Heck, why am I even alive?"  

[Rent_junkie]

"The reason you're alive and here and not out there is the same reason. It's me. I chose to save you. I chose to protect you. I don't want you out there getting beaten."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

"It doesn't seem fair that you let others get beaten or die, though. I feel bad that they have to work and suffer while I stay here. I feel terrible that I'm probably the only 'unfit' person here. It's just not fair for the others."  

[Rent_junkie]

"And I think it's unfair you're here in the first place. Don't worry about the others. Just worry about you."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

By now, Olan was getting a little frustrated. Was there something wrong with worrying about the others? "There isn't much for me to worry about when I'm here all the time."  

[Rent_junkie]

"And you'd have me do what? Release everyone and then have us all killed or sent to the death camps. It's not like I woke up and decided to start doing this. There isn't a happy option." He signed to him.

Marco moved away and started to leave.  

[BrokenScreamBox]

As much as Olan wanted to reply, he knew Marco had had a point. It was impossible to save everyone, and any attempt to do so would have resulted in death. "I'm sorry."  

[Rent_junkie]

He turned back to him. "It's ok. I'm sorry that there's nothing we can do."  

[BrokenScreamBox]

Normally, there would be an awkward silence, but he could no longer hear, so for him there was an awkward aura. It was after that bit of awkwardness that he decided to start a different conversation. "Can I go outside today?"  

[Rent_junkie]

Marco simply nodded and opened his cell. "Let's go." He signed.  

[BrokenScreamBox]

Olan got up now, and quickly walked through the door of the cell. It felt good to actually walk outside the small place.