Vence was honestly doing everything he could from appearing scared. In reality, he was terrified and just wanted to go home. He couldn't go back, though. A group of scientists destroyed it and his family was lost. Humans and predators are to blame.... Even though Jason hadn't done anything wrong to him, he was still one of them.... so Vence just glared. He hated them.

Jason sensed a wave of fear wash over the borrower. He looked back at him to see the little guy glaring down at the table, tears dripping from his face and onto the wooden surface. He hated them.

His eyes softened. He knew that the man just wanted his life back. Yet, he knew that couldn't happen. The men from the lab had destroyed the poor guys home. He cursed the men in his mind, taking a step towards the table. Vence didn't do much, just curled up ever so slightly more. He hated them. He hated them.

Then another wave of fear met Jason's senses.

"Hey..." he started, catching the man's attention. Vence's head snapped up at him, that cold, hard glare not leaving his face, despite the inside of his green eyes showing just how terrified he truly was. He hated them. He hated them.

"What do you want?" Vence snapped, trying to keep his tough act up. He had to fight back a shudder as the giant, unaffected by his tone, stepped closer. He hated them. He hated them.

"You're scared, aren't you?" Jason asked actually kind of sadly.

"What gave you THAT idea?" Vence scoffed in reply. He was on the verge of trembling, the sheer horror tearing away at him. He hated predators. He hated them. He hated them. He hated them.

"I can sense the fear pouring from you..... I know you're afraid of me," Jason said blankly. That broke through Vence's act. He began to shake like mad, his chest heaving with quick, frightened breaths. He thought that this was the end, that he was just about to be killed without a second thought. He hated them. He hated them. He hated them.

So he was surprised to find that the giants hands had cupped around his frail form. They weren't rough and tormenting like he had imagined, instead, they were soft, steady and gentle. One huge thumb came up and softly wiped away Vence's tears. He glanced up before a gasp caught itself in his throat. The predator had crouched down just in front of Vence. He hated them. He hated them. He hated them.

"Calm down, Vence, please. I know that you have a hatred for predators and humans, but not all of us are out to get you. I won't do anything to you or anyone else. I'm not like those scientists... I'm not a monster..." Jason spoke softly as he gently rubbed Vence's back. He hated them. He hated them. He hated them.

Vence didn't know what to say. He was speechless. He had let down his tough side, but was still being treated like a person. Maybe this predator really was different... He hated them.

But not anymore.