[No, she'd be much kinder if he were an animal. As it is, she simply can't see the point. She doesn't know him, he doesn't matter to her, his only value (such as it was) was being sentient. So? Better not to be, honestly.]

[And here comes the conflict, because despite everything that's happened, freedom of the mind doesn't come instantaneously. Anthy's instinct is to pull back, to smile apologetically and turn her eyes to the ground, to defer and to make herself small until her social transgression is forgotten. Until her role as acceptable burden or convenient punching bag is cemented once again.]

[At the same time, she's afraid of Connor. Not because he's threatened her, but because he's been kind to her--because he's shown interest--because of this empathy, which is spat across his entire periphery like a cobra's poison.]

[She wants him to fear her too. Or at the very least, she wants him to hate her.]

[Her gaze is cold and distant as she stares at him.]

He's not in there now. It's a body. That's all. Does it make you feel better to pretend this isn't for your benefit?