#pr verse

4. Your character is trapped somewhere, and mine can’t save them, try as they may.

"HERC!  HERC, TRY HARDER!"  Erik beat down on the hatch, trying desperately to get it open.  Striker was sinking, taking on water, but Erik could still hear the dull thud as the other pilot tried to throw the hatch open.  It was futile, the logical part of his mind said, the damn thing is melted shut, they couldn’t open that without a heavy duty welder, and they didn’t have one—

Shut up and TRY HARDER.

Salt water was creeping up around Erik’s knees and wrists as he beat that damn hatch with his helmet, furious and desperate, not ready to watch another close friend DIE because he couldn’t save them.  ”HERC!!”  

When it had came down to five minutes, Jared finally got up from the bed. He grabbed his jacket and pulled it on while heading out of the door. There were people going up and down the hallways, rushing to get to Point A and to Point B. They avoid Jared as he slipped past them, not wanting to touch or bump into them either. It didn't take him very long to reach the platform. 

He changed into the suit as they started piecing together the armor on him. Jared was quiet as they worked. Honestly, he wished he didn't show up. Things weren't getting any better, then he found out the man had been the one to climb into the pit to find him still hanging inside, with his brother. Jared didn't speak to him after that. Even when they were testing he didn't speak to him. No reason. 

They had to lead him into the driver's pit. He felt like a child. The techs were setting everything else up rather than letting Jared do it himself. He was refusing to. Maybe if he messed up they wouldn't have to send it out or maybe they could find someone crazy enough for it. Why they were forcing him? They knew he wasn't going to be any help? 

He was at least eating in the cafeteria even if it was by himself. Jared ate and then left back to his room. Not like anyone wanted to talk to him anyways. Why even bother to make an effort to make friends with these people. They were either cocky pilots or newbies who thought they were going to get somewhere with this. 

Most of the time he ignored the conversations around him, yet this one had him actually turning his head, stopping to listen. She wasn't even being considered as a possible Drift candidate and she sounded awfully confident to just die in a metal can. Why was he here again? Ah, yeah the food was a bit better than what his painting was being able to afford. Healthcare was another good point as well. Jared actually sat his fork down to turn towards her direction. 

"You just want to send yourself out their to die? Have you even seen one up close or the only thing you know simulators?" His hand was on the table, gripping the side of it. The man's knuckles were turning white. See, things like this were what the doctors told him not to do. Getting worked up and stressed wasn't good for him. Bet they were having a shit fit with him stationed here. 

Jared shouldn't have even came if he was just going to be telling the newer people who were willing to save mankind to turn around and run. It wasn't a good idea. They could easily throw him back in his shit hole of a apartment and rot away. "You're just letting yourself die. Don't be stupid." He hadn't even spoke to anyone since he had been here and this was the first things coming out of his mouth. 

His facial expression was nothing but stotic. What he was saying wasn't even effecting him. Ever since it happened this was how he was. There wasn't anything left to feel. Hopefully one of those Kaiju's would finish the job off if he got inside of one of those war machines again.