Forrest just smiled faintly. “Just curious about your culinary skills.”

“There's plenty in the pot," she replied, heading towards her room.

“But I just want to try this bowl," Forrest countered, his gaze fixed on the bowl. "It seems especially.. inviting."

Annis ignored him, heading towards the room.

Forrest, frustration simmering, followed close behind.

“What are you doing?" Annis shot him a glare.

"Merely assessing if Alick has gained weight thanks to your doting.”

With one hand tucked into his pocket, Forrest extended the other.

“Allow me to open the door for you.”

Annis' mouth fell open.

What had gotten into him?

“If you remain silent, I'll take it as consent." Without waiting for a response, Forrest pushed open the door.

Alick's bare back was exposed, a web of red welts crisscrossing his skin, stark against his pale flesh.

He fumbled with a jar of ointment, his face contorted in pain.

Without a word, Forrest stepped forward and took the ointment from Alick's trembling hand. The doctor in him taking over.

As he cleaned a particularly nasty wound on Alick's shoulder, a weak hand clamped onto his wrist. “Annis.."

Annis and Forrest both froze, equally stunned.

Alick twisted to look back... only to find Forrest behind him.

Realizing whose hand he grasped, his expression hardened.

With a violent jerk, he flung it away, as if brushing off something foul.