"You're never gonna give up on me, are you?"

Jinx's voice is soft, almost too soft, as if she doesn't really want an answer. But she doesn't need one. The silence between them says everything, heavy and suffocating, pulling tight around them like a noose.

Vi's hands tighten on her shoulders, trembling. Her grip speaks louder than words ever could. She holds on as though holding Jinx closer can make up for every time she hasn't been there──every time she's failed.

Jinx stares at her sister. A part of her wants to believe, to cling to this moment, to Vi. Her fingers twitch, hesitation flickering across her face. She almost reaches out. Almost.

How long has it been since she's felt this? Since the bridge, since they were kids and the world wasn't so cruel? When there were no sides, no betrayals, and their only battles were against the monsters under their bed?

She aches for it. For her sister. For what they've lost.

But it hurts. Everything hurts.

The memories.

The voices.

The hope she doesn't dare trust.

Her fingers curl into fists, nails digging into her palms. She fights against herself, against the part of her that wants to hold on. The part of her that wants to stay.

And then, without warning, she strikes.

Her punch lands in Vi's stomach, a calculated blow that sends her stumbling back. Vi's grip breaks as she gasps, doubling over with a groan, clutching her side. Before she can recover, Jinx moves in a blur, reaching the cell door and slamming it shut. The deafening clang echoes through the space, and the lock clicks, trapping Vi inside.

"Hey!" Vi's voice shoots up, sharp and alarmed as she stumbles toward the door, gripping the bars with frantic hands.

Jinx stands just out of reach, the keys cold in her hand. For a moment, her gaze softens, a flicker of regret passing through her as she looks at her sister through the bars. "You don't have to worry about me anymore," Jinx says softly, her voice breaking just slightly. "You don't need to feel guilty about... being happy. You deserve to be with her."

Vi freezes, her breath catching in her throat. "Wait──" She rattles the bars, her grip so tight her knuckles turn white.

The keys slip from Jinx's hand and hit the cold stone floor, the sound slices through the silence. She takes a step back, then another, retreating into the shadows at the far end of the cell block. Her voice is barely above a whisper now.

"There's no good version of me."

Vi's voice cracks, fear and anger blending into one. "What are you gonna do?"

Jinx's figure disappears into the darkness, her violet-red eyes the last thing visible before they too fade. "Break the cycle."

And then she's gone.

"JINX!" Vi's scream tears through the air, raw and desperate. She slams her fists against the bars, tears streaming down her face. "JINX!"

Jinx keeps walking, even as Vi's cries echo down the hallway. The sound of fists pounding against metal chases her, but she doesn't look back.

She can't.

She won't.