Somehow, by some miracle, Whisper maintained her footing, desperately climbing up the bridge- a ramp now that the end was weighing it down. I slung off my backpack and searched around in a frenzy, finally pulling out a small, compact rappelling hook. I shot it down towards Whisper, and she grabbed hold with one hand, wrapping it around herself and cinching it tight before giving me a thumbs up.

I pressed the button, and the rope started retracting, pulling them in. I was leaning back with all of my weight, and I felt Peter wrap his arms around my waist, combining our strength. They were just mere feet away when disaster struck.

Dean was stumbling up the ramp, the liquid fire only feet below. He threw Grimbane in one final effort, and his efforts paid off. The blade cut through two of the cables, and the ramp jerked to the left, turning completely vertical. I screamed as Dean, Whisper, and Hannah fell off of the bridge towards the inferno.

The rappelling hook jerked forward, and I was dragged towards the edge. I saw that Whisper was still attached to the end of the rope, Hannah in her arms. But Dean wasn't so fortunate. I locked eyes with him as he fell towards the fire, and I could only see hatred, greed, pain, and anger there. He reached a hand out to me as if begging, but I shook my head softly.

That was all it took. He glared at me one final time, then disappeared into the fire forever.

I sighed, a sound of relief, then pulled back on the hook. But it wasn't rising. I felt Peter grab my legs, pulling me away from the edge, but it wasn't enough. Whisper and Hannah were barely moving, even with the rope retracting and Peter pulling me. I looked down to see that Hannah was telling something to Whisper. I couldn't tell what they were saying, but from the way Whisper began shaking her head violently, I could tell something was wrong. I pulled back with all my strength, but they only rose a few more feet.

I glanced down again just in time to see Hannah place her hand on Whisper's cheek, then let go of her. I shrieked, and so did Whisper. I saw her clinging to Hannah's leg desperately, straining under her weight. I felt myself sliding forward ever so slightly, and I realized what was going on.

Hannah was weighing us down, and she knew it. She was trying to get Whisper and the rest of us to safety... by sacrificing herself.

Whisper obviously knew as well, because she only tightened her hold on the little girl. I was far enough over the edge to see the liquid fire mere feet away from the two. I saw Hannah curl up to Whisper, say something in her ear, kiss her cheek, then pry Whisper's fingers from her leg.

I don't know who was screaming- me or Whisper or Peter. But I do know it wasn't Hannah. She was falling towards certain death in flames, bu the look on her face was one of abounding peace. I felt the rappelling hook loose tension, then slowly begin to retract again. I felt Peter pulling me back, but I wanted to be there for Hannah. I locked eyes with her, and she gave me a sweet, innocent smile before disappearing into the fire.

Then I was on the landing, Peter and Whisper with me, running. We ran away from the hall, away from the liquid fire, away from the remains of Dean and Hannah. I could hear Whisper sobbing between us, and every sound sent shards of fear into my heart. Whisper never cried. She rarely showed any emotion at all. Losing Hannah had broken her.

We ran through the halls at a breakneck pace, not stopping for anything. I had a stitch in my side and was gasping for air, but I forced myself to keep going until we reached the entrance to Corrupt HQ.

I had Void Reaper in my hand, expecting a fight, but it seemed that the guards had evacuated long before we had reached the door. We ran through the pitch dark hall, past the air vent, past Hannah's little home, until we reached the trapdoor that led out of the hall and into Shifu's building.

Peter led Whisper away from the trapdoor, and I slammed it shut and bolted it. Then I sank to the ground, shaking like mad. I couldn't stop. I couldn't think. I couldn't breathe. It was impossible.

Hannah was gone.

Dean was gone.

The Corrupt had been defeated.

But none of that made me feel better.

I crawled over to Whisper's side and held her, the way she had held me all those days ago, when Dean had dared to return. She sank into me, and I saw tears leaking from behind her mask. I gently brushed them away, then held onto her for dear life. I felt Peter come and hug us from behind, wrapping us in his warm, strong embrace.

I don't know how long we sat there together, but all I know is that I would've gladly stayed there for eternity. In that moment, we were the only three people left in a broken, battered world.