He walked in, unbuttoning his vest until he stopped. All I could see was his boots, and I knew he was staring at me, hunched over, sitting on the table.

With my mask still on.

His steps shuffled as he started forward again, at a somewhat slower pace, as if he didn't want to make a sudden movement.
He sat down across from Joseph, plunking his helmet on the nearby table and took out his bag, grabbing his ammo. He slowly brought it up, probably noticing how still I was.
'Crap' I thought as Joseph looked up too.
He glanced at Jack, then leaned toward me.
"What's wrong?"

'Everything', I nearly choked out.
But it was silence that answered him.
He turned to Jack. "Did something happen in there?"
'Yes' I said as Jacks' lips opened slightly.

At the continued silence, he glanced back at me, then Jack's face-staring at me, confused and concerned and looking about to start interrogating me-and shot to his feet.
"Did you do something?" He straightened, turning fully on Jack.
"No." I choked out. I instantly hated my voice as both of their heads whirled to me. How it was soft and raspy, and full of fucking tears.
"What?" My brother hissed.

I kept my head down as I said,"I'll tell you when my throat stops choking me."