**Chapter 2: Cracks in the Facade**

As the night wore on, I felt myself slipping further and further away, my mind regressing to a state of infancy. The world around me was a blur, and all I knew was that I needed comfort, I needed Hange. But even with him by my side, I wasn't sure if I would make it through the night. The sensory overload was suffocating me, and Hange's exhaustion was only making things worse. Hange's grip on me tightened, and he began to rock me gently, trying to calm me down. His voice was a soothing melody, a gentle hum that seemed to vibrate through his chest and into my body. I felt a tiny spark of comfort, but it was quickly extinguished by the crushing weight of my anxiety. Suddenly, Hange's phone buzzed on the coffee table, shattering the fragile peace. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the device, before letting it go. I knew he was trying to ignore it, but I also knew it was only a matter of time before he had to answer it. As if on cue, the phone buzzed again, and Hange's expression turned grim. He took a deep breath and reached for the phone, his movements slow and deliberate. I felt a pang of fear as he answered the call, his voice low and husky. I couldn't make out what was being said on the other end of the line, but I could sense the tension in Hange's body. His grip on me tightened, and he pulled me closer, as if trying to shield me from the world outside. The conversation was brief, but the impact was immediate. Hange's expression turned bleak, and he ended the call with a curt nod. He looked down at me, his eyes filled with a deep concern. "Baby, I have to go," he said, his voice laced with regret. My heart sank, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I knew I couldn't be left alone, not in this state. But Hange's face was set, and I knew he had no choice. He had to go, and I was left to face the darkness alone. As he stood up, cradling me in his arms, I felt a sense of desperation wash over me. I buried my face in his chest, trying to hold on to him, but he gently pried me loose. "I'll be back, I promise," he whispered, his voice barely audible. I nodded, trying to be brave, but my body betrayed me. The tears flowed freely, and I felt myself shaking with fear. Hange's face blurred as he handed me a blanket and a pillow, and I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling lost and alone. The room seemed to spin around me, and I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the world. But even in the darkness, I could feel Hange's absence, a gnawing sense of loneliness that threatened to consume me. I knew I had to hold on, for Hange's sake, for my own sake, but it was getting harder and harder to keep the cracks in the facade from spreading.