Relaxing

Sarah thought for a moment. "Alright. This might spound a little therapisty. Do you know why you wouldn't like it? It has to be for a reason. Every idea and thought has a reason behind it, even if that person doesn't think or know it."

"Don't worry, I would have asked the same." She sighed. "I honestly don't know. I feel like I do, or should, but I don't."

"So your sayibg that I might be right."

"I'm saying I don't know, but I'm not afraid. After what I've seen, it's going to take a bit more than a copy to scare me."

Sarah shook her head. "There is more than one kind of fear. A fear of seeing horrible things is different than a fear of ones life changing."

"I know." She smirked a bit, but it wasn't genuine. "Don't you think it already has? Before my only goal was to stay alive and win the games. Now look, I've someone to look after. So you tell me if I'm still afraid of my life changing."

Sarah sighed. "What I am about to tell you, you will never repeat to anyone. Understand?"

"I swear."

Suddenly Sarah's usual personality was gone. Everything about her was serious. "Before UFO any further I have to ask you a question. Who do you think Riza is?"

"What do you mean?"

"What kind of person do you think he is?"

"A good one at heart. He just can't bring himself to believe it."

"More than that. Details. This is important. It may seem stupid to you now but you will see why."

"I think he really cares about his family. And....I'm sorry, really. I could explain any other time but right now I'm just...." She didn't know how to say it.

"That's fine. The psychopathic, snarky, constantly aggressive, sadistic monster isn't real. Riza is nothing more than a frightened child. He was afraid of the world so he created an impenetrable shell. One tht would murder those who got to close. 'Riza' is a character. And THAT is what I think you are. An act created to hide. I don know what from. Your past, feelings, or maybe even your own insecurities. I just don't think the girl I am looking at is you."

A slow smile appeared. "Couldn't have explained it better."

Sarah nodded slightly. "I can tell..."

"Problem is." She said. "I don't intend to come out."

"Most don't." She said simply

"Yep."

"Riza has been in his forever. I don't think he even realizes it anymore."

"........then it can't be helped. Unless he's faced with something from his past without destroying it and everything else, he won't ever realize it. The difference between me and him is that I know I'm pretending."

Sarah gave a sad smile. "He used to. But after so many years the line begins to blur."

"What made him do it?"

Sarah frowned. "Do you really want to know?"