Sean's POV
I trail behind Ajax as he pushes through the back door into the crisp morning air. The sun has climbed above the treeline, throwing long shadows across the yard, but the warmth hasn't found us yet.
Ajax moves restlessly along the edge of the woods, his jaw clenched tight, hands buried deep in his hoodie pockets like he's fighting to keep himself from falling apart.
He won't meet my eyes when I stop next to him. Instead, he stares into the forest as if it might offer him sanctuary.
"You holding up okay?" I ask.
A bitter laugh escapes him. "Why wouldn't I be?"
I stay quiet, letting him choose whether he wants to open up.
The silence doesn't last long. Ajax lets out a heavy breath and shakes his head. "I can't keep doing this, Sean. I can't keep acting like everything's fine when it's not."
"I know," I say gently.
His bloodshot eyes finally find mine. They look like he hasn't slept in days. "Do you really?"
"Yeah. I've known for a while now."
