The next morning Chell watched Wheatley get out of the house and go to work. Following beside him.

He seemed sad and that scared her. She didn't wish death on anyone. Even him.

What if he tried to do it at work? What if- What if she lost him?

She let go of him in space, would she let him go again? He had been the closest thing to a friend she had.

Wheatley had rebraided his hair and pulled it up into a sort of braid-bun. Chell was ashamed to admit it, but she found him quite attractive.

Maybe he could take care of himself.

But not alone. Especially after what she saw last night. Chell separated from him after they made it to the library.

"Have a good day, Wheatley." Chell said, waving.

"Ah- yes- toodles!" Wheatley waved before entering the library.

Chell sighed. She knew exactly where she was going.

She had to talk to Mayamintes. Onwards to Town Hall.

The walk was uneventful, but Chell's determination raged like fire behind her eyes .

Entering town hall, she found Mayamintes at their desk doing paperwork.

The ceiling was held up by doric columns, 16 of them leading to the back where Mayamintes was working.

"Mayamintes, I need to talk to you." Chell said, almost nervously.

"Hello Chell! What can I do ya for?" Mayamintes smiled widely.

"It's about Wheatley." Chell said, rubbing her arm. "Can we go somewhere private?"

Maya's expression changed to worry, and they nodded.

Mayamintes brought them into their office, closing the door behind them.

"Alright. What's happened?" they folded their arms.

"Last night, he and I had a... a fight over our past. I knew him a long time ago. He became incredibly upset- and he- he tried to kill himself." She sighed. "I stopped him."

"Again, huh?" they shook their head.

"Again?"

"He's done this many times before. He never tells anybody why he wants to, can't even get him to talk to the therapist. He doesn't trust anyone. He's been spiraling down for a long time." Mayamintes sighed. "It's only a matter of time."

"I know why." Chell said.

"You do? How? He doesn't talk to anyone-"

"I used to know him- he and I had a past- a not good one-"

"Do you know how he got those scars? When he first came here I got a look. Some were still scabbed over, but i hope by now they've faded a little."

Chell sighed. "He was violently abused."

Mayamintes grabbed a file and wrote down what she said. "Keep going. What did he tell you?"

"I think he hates himself for what he did... and I don't think he's going to forgive himself." Chell shook her head. "He has nightmares- and I think they are about me. He said he had a nightmare that made him too afraid to tell me who he was."

"Didn't you recognize him?" Maya asked.

"It's been a long time. He's changed. A lot." Chell partially lied.

"What did he do?"

"I'm not at liberty to say. All I can tell you is that he hurt me. Badly enough to make me have nightmares about him... flashbacks... scars."

"That doesn't sound like Wheatley."

"Because somebody destroyed him. That isn't the same Wheatley I knew. He used to be so- happy- he was so goofy- and now- god." She shook her head again. "He's not my Wheatley anymore."

Mayamintes nodded, still writing.

"Do you know why he doesn't trust anyone? And why did he trust you?"

"I don't know. Whatever GLaDOS did to him..." Chell realized she'd said too much.

Mayamintes froze. "GL-GLaDOS? From Aperture?"

Mayamintes knew GLaDOS. The florist's great grandmother had told the entire town the stories of Aperture. Many others before had escaped and told stories of how their friends and coworkers were killed by the massive AI.

Chell nodded.

"No wonder he's terrified." Mayamintes shut the file. "That thing- killed so many. How did he survive?"

"I don't know."

Mayamintes sighed. "I need you to do me a favor. Keep an eye on him. If he trusts you we can use it."

"But-"

"Listen. I don't want him to die. I think he's misunderstood and a gentle soul. We've all got wounds, and I think you've got them too. Maybe you two can work through your traumas together." Mayamintes put a hand on Chell's shoulder.

"I don't know what he did, but please. Consider. He's not whatever monster he used to be. People change."

"How would you know?"

Mayamintes sighed. "Have you heard about the black war?"

Chell had. It was one of the bloodiest wars ever, over 15 million died. Just on their side.

"Yes. I remember."

"Well I used to be a general. At the end, we brokered a deal, to end the war. The only thing was that the Viks, they were a barbaric people, and wanted blood. In order to end the war we had to send 1000 men without weapons for them to slaughter."

"I sent my men to die. I told them that they were heroes. I can never take back what I've done." Mayamintes stood straight. "What did he do?"

Chell silenced.

"I have nightmares of the faces of my men, men who had wives, children, families. I took that from them. We ended that war, but at what cost?"

"I geuss... I could try to forgive him." She said, sighing. "He only betrayed me once."

"Keep an eye on him. You have my permission." Mayamintes said. "Find out what's been eating him up."