You were the newest member of The Seven, but you were more like a shadow than a presence within the team. You weren't completely silent like Black Noir, but you spoke so little that most of the others barely registered your existence. Conversations were rare, and meaningful relationships within the team? Nonexistent.

Starlight tried to reach out to you at first. She would smile, make small talk, and ask how you were doing, but you always ignored her. It wasn't that you didn't like her—on the contrary, you appreciated her kindness—but you hated how much it hurt to speak. Every time you used your powers, your throat would become raw, and you'd end up vomiting afterward. The strain was too much, so you stayed quiet most of the time.

Eventually, Starlight stopped trying, which you hated even more. Her attempts to connect with you, no matter how small, had been a bright spot in the dark, but now even those moments were gone.

Your powers weren't flashy, nor were they something you used often, which left you ridiculed by both the public and your teammates. To them, you were just a waste of space, a prop Vought insisted on keeping for some reason. And no one hated you more than Homelander.

Walking into the conference room, your head hung low, you felt the weight of everyone's eyes on you. Normally, no one paid you much attention unless it was to mock you, but today was different. You could feel their gazes lingering on your new suit, picking it apart in their minds.

When the meeting finally ended, you bolted for the elevator, desperate to escape. But Starlight and Homelander were already there, waiting. You hesitated, considering taking the stairs instead, but Homelander's voice stopped you.

"Why don't you ride with us?" he said, his tone smooth, yet laced with an undercurrent of something you couldn't quite place. Amusement? Threat? It sent a chill down your spine.

Reluctantly, you stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind you with a soft ding. The air inside felt heavier than it should, thick with tension that seemed to radiate off him.

"What floor?" Starlight asked gently, her voice a welcome reprieve from the oppressive silence. Her eyes darted between you and Homelander, concern flickering in her gaze.

You raised two fingers without a word. Starlight nodded and pressed the button for the second floor, her hand trembling ever so slightly before retreating to her side.