Title: Like Slow-Spinning Repression
Fandom: Xenogears
Characters: Fei, "Coward", Id, Karen
Rating: PG
Length: 100 words
Content notes: Character death, spoilers.
Author Notes: It has been way too long since I played this game.
Summary: There's no putting rhythm to the shifts in Fei's thoughts.

Left, middle, right. Right, middle, left.

Rage, guilt, delusion. Trust, hurt, rage.

Mother's cross swings like a pendulum as she walks, directing the strangers who hurt Fei. He's learned to train his eyes on the pendant, its rhythm gentler than the despair a young mind can't grasp.

Left, right: is this my fault? I'll be good.

Right, left: I did my best, so why? Why? Next time I'll hurt you!

It trembles when his anger finally explodes and hits her dead center: This is why mother hurt me, because I-- because you're bad!

There's a snapped chain at his feet.