He's a little surprised when Melanie puts her hand on his shoulder, but she seems to be more comfortable around him now if still a little hesitant. But her next words just make the care she put in the action worse. He shakes his head, adamant.

"I'm sorry, but I don't believe that." Daniel nervously reaches out to mirror her gesture from before, one hand gingerly brushing her shoulder. "There's always an alternative, another way, something. We just, we'll have to find it."

It makes sense, if she's been locked here for a long time, that she never would be familiarized with alternatives. And it's probable her captors haven't thought to try anything else when the system they have now works for their purposes, Melanie's mental well-being be damned. And Daniel doesn't find that acceptable.