***
{Inside The Projection}
The interview was already over.
If Malik had to be honest, he'd already approved of him.
Still, he kept playing along, needing to at least put up a front.
"I'm sure you're telling the truth, now—"
"I am telling the truth!"
Azeem almost shot out of the chair, hands slightly raised like a man on trial.
"Believe me, my Lord!"
Malik raised a hand, a slow palm facing forward.
The boy sat back down, cheeks still pink, looking like he wanted to crawl under the rug and vanish.
Malik nodded once, trying to appear understanding.
But in his mind: 'Oh, this kid'll be fun to tease.'
...Or so he wished.
That flicker of amusement vanished quickly, replaced by the same blank weight he always carried, a result of his always active internal defense mechanism.
There was no joy behind his eyes anymore; even the smallest sparks fizzled before they could become anything.
