Shadow Theo smiles.
Genuine. Sincere.
"Free. It's such a beautiful word, isn't it?"
He twirls on his heel, arms loose, almost playful, like the weight of the world does not touch him.
"Free!"
He stops abruptly and points one finger straight at Theo.
"You want to be free."
He nods once. Slow. Thoughtful.
"I understand. And I agree."
Then his expression shifts. The smile fades, replaced by something sharper, heavier. Serious.
"From what?"
The words hang in the empty space between them.
"Do you know, Theo?"
Theo blinks several times. His heart begins to pound faster, louder in his ears. He swallows dry saliva. His lips twitch, the beginnings of a reply forming and dying before it can escape. His breathing turns ragged.
"From… I don't…" He shakes his head slightly. "I don't understand your question."
His gaze drifts away, anywhere but Shadow Theo.
"Ah." Shadow Theo tilts his head, studying him with unsettling familiarity. "That's unfortunate."
