Monday night. We find her stooped to her knees, shaking. In front of the school's entrance, Jungkook and I approach carefully. We don't know whether the other alliances have stuck around for a day in order to catch our escape. But scanning the perimeters, it's only the girl. She looks smaller than Zion in the moonlight. She must be a few years younger than me. What could've prompted her to join League of Fame?

Something in her posture, the hopelessness like she's on the verge of falling over, prompts me to approach her. I glance at Jungkook to see if it's okay. He simply shrugs and follows along.

I stoop down next to her. She's no older than fifteen, I realize. Almost Zion's age. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Sophiya," she says. "I'm so screwed. I have no one. My partner died just now. She was shot by another team, and I ran as far as I could. But I still feel like they're hunting me." She shakes like an autumn leaf, the tears rolling down her cheeks like twin waterfalls.

I reach out, putting an arm around her. She's so frail, so completely lost that I take pity on her. Jungkook is regarding us carefully, like he's deciding whether to trust Sophiya. But when I glance up at him, a question on my face, he nods. It's like he understands what I'm about to do.

"Join our team," I say. "We have one item already. By the end of the week, I'm sure we can find two more."

Her dark eyes are wide, glimpsing a bit of hope. They match the darkness of her hair, which falls past her thin frame in one long swoop. She reminds me of a younger version of myself. Like the version of me that hadn't yet ventured into the outskirts. Her innocence reminds me of Zion. I've just met Sophiya, but she is someone I feel the need to protect.

Maybe in this competition, I can be someone other than a monster. By saving Sophiya, I can redeem myself. Of course, nothing can bring back the lives I've taken. But I can save this one person. I can bring her out of the clutches of League of Fame.

"Really?" she says. "But I won't be useful to you."

I shake my head. "I'm Cosma, and this is Jungkook. We can help you—all we need is one more clue, then we can make it out of this competition together."

Sophiya smiles through her tears. She can't help but embrace me. With my arms around her, I realize how frail she really is. She's like the human version of a leaf—able to be blown away by the wind.

I gauge Jungkook's reaction. He simply nods. "Let's find a place to sleep for the night."

We travel together southwards. On the way, I try to find out more about the girl we've promised to help. "Why did you join League of Fame?"

Sophiya's spirits have seemed to rise a bit. She stands straighter, and her tears have dried. "I did it to support my family," she says. "My parents owned a restaurant, but it recently went out of business."

"Do you have siblings?" I ask.

"It's just me," Sophiya says.

"Your parents were okay with you joining this competition?" I ask.

Sophiya just shakes her head slowly. "They didn't know about it. I left them a note, and they are probably worrying themselves to death."

I feel a surge of sympathy for this girl. "My parents are probably doubting whether they'll see me again. But they will. And you'll see your parents again too, Sophiya."

She smiles. It's a tentative gesture from her, but seeing her see past her hopelessness ignites hope within me. "Thank you so much. You too, Jungkook."

My partner gives a cautious smile. "Sophiya, you are a very brave person."

Sophiya glances up at him. "I'm not very brave at all. But with you two beside me, I feel like I can do anything. Like I can actually win."

Jungkook is quiet, kind of like the boy I met at the outskirts. "You can repay us by surviving and making it out of League of Fame," he says. "We'll see you to become the biggest star in Seoul."

"I've always wanted to perform," Sophiya says. "You really think I'd make a good star?"

"Why not?" Jungkook says. His smile is tentative but pure.

We find a restaurant that's currently under construction. Jungkook picks the lock, and we head in looking for a place to lie down. Jungkook gathers some tablecloths as blankets. Sophiya makes a comment about using the bathroom and heads off into the dark.

"Are you okay with this?" I whisper to Jungkook.

Jungkook shrugs. "She needs our help. I don't think we have much of a choice. It's the right—"

I look over his shoulder. Sophiya has a plank raised in her hands. In her dark eyes, I sense a murderous spark.

"Jungkook!" I yell.

Sophiya swings once, knocking my partner against the side of his head. Before I can react past my shock, she swings it at me too. My side erupts in pain. I fall against a table and roll off to the ground. The world spins in front of me, and for a few seconds I don't know which way is up.

Jungkook yells, I reach out for him but can't see anything but blurry darkness.

Silence surrounds us, and I know Sophiya has left.

I force myself into a sitting position. I reach out for Jungkook, who's still on the ground and trying to orient himself.

The first thing I notice is his right hand. V's friendship ring is gone.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading! Votes and comments are much appreciated!