Chapter Text
“No.”
Niko bites their lip to keep from…whatever such strong emotions would make them do. Cry, yell, scratch up their sleeves, but they feel like they’re going to break soon.
“I don’t…know if I believe you..” They murmur guiltily. “I know you’re not controlling anything. I KNOW that. But I still feel mad at you for bringing me back. AM I real? AM I just the product of some kid’s imagination? It’s like I’m back to wondering if I’m just a line of code again. They’re saying I’m real, but if I’m just in your head-” They take a deep breath, suddenly realizing they hadn’t been taking in breaths between sentences. They’re silent for a second afterward, thinking. “It’s scary. It’s making me wonder if I’m only there when you want me to be. Like the rest of my life isn’t real.”