But there was something worse about the silence.
The way Michael stared at the child like a living ghost.
That stare twisted something in Thor's developing mind—made him quiet, too scared and self-conscious to show off his talents. Iris, sharp and cold from the start, took it all in silently. She cleaned Thor's wounds.
She taught Rudra how to move quieter. She stared at Michael sometimes—not with fear, but with hatred building like frost on iron. She never cried in front of him. Not once.
But Rudra bore the brunt of it.
He was the first.
The strongest.
The one Michael's fists and guilt landed on hardest.
Michael hated what Rudra reminded him of—Pandora's defiance, her wild passion, her strength.
He saw all of her in Rudra's dark eyes, and that made the blows come faster. When Rudra was old enough to fight back, Michael beat him harder for it.
