Cade glanced at River, but for the time being, he focused on Cole. It was the Commander he was worried about, on some level: but more than that it was the state of things in general, how he could keep himself busy, how he could keep his head above water in the ocean of shame that threatened to swallow him. If he couldn't do his job, he was worse than useless; he was just a mad animal, worthwhile only in what he could contribute to his betters.
Cade watched Cole warily, his heart nonetheless giving a pang at his clearer view of the youth, so thin and pale that he resembled a corpse. He glanced again at River. The pair of them, he realized, weren't much older than he was when-... no. He pushed the thought back and looked away abruptly, his fingers tensing into fists on his thighs as he fought back waves of panic and revulsion.
"..um.." he stammered, but couldn't collect his racing thoughts well enough to tell them to leave.