Paint

Hershey's usual composure had fled the room as she explained her plight to Colt. 

Her small hands felt cold as they trembled beneath his. He could see her mascara starting to leave a slow track down her cheek. Her eyes stayed focused on the creamer jug and shone with more tears.

Hershey was frightened. 

He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her as much as he could. He wanted to tell her that her parents would not hurt her like that. But he knew what the Aurelia's were like, and they were no better than the Lamprecht's. He heard the murmurings of contract changes and supply issues. He heard that their children were raised to be means to an end.

Colt was conflicted.