“I know it feels wrong. But pain passes faster when you stop fighting it. Do what they say, Timothy. It’s the only way through.” (soothing, coaxing — like helping a child swallow bitter medicine) “You saw too much too soon. That doesn’t make you weak, Timothy. It makes you human.” (steady, wise — validating his pain without pitying him) “They took everything from me. And I’m still here. That’s their mistake.” (cold, quietly furious — the burn of someone who refuses to stay down)“You don’t have to be cruel to survive. But you will have to bleed.” (steady, instructive — spoken like a lesson learned the hard way)

“If one of us dies here, it won’t be you. You hear me? I won’t let it.” (protective, intense — desperation disguised as command) “I’ve got your back. Always did — even when you ran. Now fight, damn you.” (fierce, loyal — like he's anchoring Riverside back to reality)“You always stare at the sky like it’s gonna give you something back. It won’t. But I’m still here… and I always come back.” (gentle, almost teasing — but with genuine warmth underneath)

“Hold still! I can’t stop the bleeding if you keep squirming!” “They took my brother last winter. Said he tested ‘positive.’ I never saw him again.” “He’s bleeding out. We need to move — or leave him.” “They didn’t say it would be this bloody…” “Do you think they’ll let us go home when it’s over? If it ever ends?”