"They knew he was guilty." Raju's voice is still intent but his expression is almost confused; even as he needs Francis not to blame himself, he's thinking it through. "We thought that would matter, that surely anyone would want to stop him from doing it again— but we won't make that mistake twice. They knew everyone was guilty, they didn't care. Little was practically asking to be punished, for rules and consequence, and no one cared. There's something else they wanted more. We have to think about it differently."

His grip over Francis tightens, hopefully reassuring, and he doesn't look away from Francis' eyes. "We aren't helpless until it's done. We keep trying." Raju pauses, sighs. Smiles a little, wryly. It's odd to be in this position, the one who isn't pushing forward, who would step back and stop if someone else gave him the word to. He isn't really used to it. But these aren't his people, and anyone who might have been has made it very clear where they stand on protecting the vulnerable, forming a real community, doing what's difficult to keep everyone safe. Everyone who's his is very far from him, except the one in front of him now. "If you're sure that's what you want? To keep everyone safe here, whether they want to be or not?"