Ash's Perspective
"Don't you want to find Jace?" I asked.
"Yeah," Yuki nodded softly, "but... I just wanted to say you shouldn't stay like this."
Anger boiled inside me.
"What the hell do you want me to do?!" I shouted.
Yuki froze. Her eyes welled up, then overflowed.
Tears.
Not words. Just tears.
The anger vanished as quickly as it came.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to yell, I'm sorry—please, forgive me..." I said, rushing toward her. "I… I just—"
"I… ju… just wan… wanted to… h-he-help," she whispered between sobs.
I hated myself in that moment.
Fifth Floor – Theo's Perspective
Welding iron bars to the balcony edge.
"Man, where the hell is Jace? And where's Yuki? I sent her to find him!"
I was irritated, sparks flying from my welding torch.
Then I turned around—and nearly dropped the tool.
Jace stood there. Still. Silent.
"Dude! How long have you been standing there like that? You scared the hell out of me."
He didn't answer.
"Anyway, I was thinking—you should come up with a story for Lumi. Something… comforting. Even if it's a lie. We need to keep her spirits up."
Still no response.
"Oh, and maybe we can convince Ash to come with us on the next supply run. Some fresh air might—"
Suddenly, I was falling.
Pushed.
Mid-air. My heart skipped.
Jace… he was smiling.
That smile.
That monstrous smile.
Why...?
I never landed the thought. Just the ground. Headfirst.
Back Inside – Ash's Perspective
Yuki had finally calmed down. She gave me that cute little pout like she was still annoyed. It was… honestly kind of adorable.
My face turned red.
"I'm sorry for before," I mumbled.
Then—
"Someone!!! Come!! Theo's fallen from the fifth floor!!"
I froze. My blood ran cold.
I bolted to the balcony, nearly crashing into the railing.
Below, a crowd had gathered around a lifeless body—Theo.
My legs moved before my mind could catch up. I ran downstairs, pushing past people. Everyone was there... except Jace.
I reached the crowd first. Theo's eyes were open, but lifeless. A pool of blood spread beneath him.
I looked up.
There—on the fifth floor—stood Jace.
"THEO FELL!!" he shouted like he was reporting the weather.
He was… smiling.
No. He was laughing.
His eyes locked with mine.
Something inside me screamed.
"JACE IS THE SHAPESHIFTER! HE'S ON THE FIFTH FLOOR!" I yelled.
I turned and sprinted toward the sealed stairwell. The old man was already locking it up.
"LET ME IN!" I shouted.
"No," he said flatly.
I grabbed his collar. "Let me in!"
Before he could answer—CRACK!
A blow to the head. My world spun.
Darkness.
…
"Why don't you focus on your own survival?"
The voice echoed in my head.
"This blessing is given to you so that you can witness the final outcome…"
Three Days Later
I opened my eyes.
"So you're finally awake," Bram said, sitting beside me.
I ignored him.
"It's been three days," he added. "They're still debating whether to kill the shapeshifter or leave the building."
I got up. Walked out without saying a word.
The common hall was filled with murmurs. Whispers. Stares.
I marched up to the old man.
"Where are Jace and Theo's bodies?" I asked.
The old man stood tall, calm. "Buried. In the park across the street."
"Who attacked me?" I demanded.
"That was me," the girl beside him said.
I didn't even hesitate. I grabbed her by the collar.
"Touch me again and I'll break your arms. Stay away from me, bitch."
Gasps erupted around us.
"Watch your mouth! That's no way to speak to a girl," a woman in the crowd shouted.
I didn't care.
Not anymore.
Yuki reached out to calm me. I shoved her hand away. I didn't want sympathy. I wanted revenge.
Kai and Ryn sat in the corner, silent.
Theo's family was crying.
Kai's family sat beside them, offering quiet support.
I walked into the supply room. A dull silence hung in the air. I opened the locker marked with their names.
Inside were the remnants of my brothers-in-arms.
I picked up the shotgun.
Loaded it.
The weight was familiar.
Comforting.
If the shapeshifter wanted a war—
Then I would bring him one.