Ash's Perspective
The click of the shotgun echoed in the room. The weight in my hands was heavier than metal—it was grief, fury, and the kind of broken resolve that makes people dangerous.
The door creaked open.
It was Bram.
He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, his usual smugness gone. "What are you gonna do? Shoot that old man and his granddaughter?"
"Stay away from me," I warned, voice low. "Or you'll be first before them."
Bram stepped closer, unfazed. "Bro… look, everyone out there's grieving Theo and Jace too. But they're not waving around loaded guns."
I scoffed. "I don't want advice from someone who didn't even care about his parents' safety before coming here."
He grabbed my collar.
His voice trembled. "Do you even know what I've been through? You—coming from a perfect little family—you wouldn't understand pain if it bled on your shoes."
Tears welled in his eyes.
"There's something that's always bothered me. How did you know your parents weren't your real parents? Was it luck? A hunch? Or…" He looked straight into my eyes. "Are you a shapeshifter too? But nothing happened when you were sprayed. So what are you?"
I gritted my teeth. "Let. Go. Of. My. Collar."
"Or what?" Bram spat.
"LET GO!"
I shoved him back.
Bram's Flashback
Before the apocalypse
The smell of stale alcohol. That was my morning. Every morning.
My father—if you could even call him that—was sprawled drunk across the couch. My mother had left years ago. I never blamed her.
I went to school because my mom used to be a teacher there. They took me in out of pity. After classes, I worked—cleaning offices, replacing bulbs, bringing tea—just to eat at night.
Ash's dad worked there too. He was kind. Sometimes, when he didn't have food, he'd take me out to eat. I didn't know he was Ash's dad. If I had, maybe I'd have hated him sooner.
Jace joined our class in 9th. He was cool. Confident. Always with Theo. I wanted to be friends with them—so I watched what they watched, listened to what they liked. It worked for a while… until my grades slipped and I had to quit.
We moved to 10th.
Then came the school function.
I watched from the side while the rest of them stood in a group—Ash, Jace, Theo, Kai, Ryn—laughing with their families. My chest ached.
That was the day I truly started hating Ash.
Present Time – Ash's Perspective
"We need to trust each other if we're going to survive," Bram said. "Let's share something we've never told anyone. Build trust."
"Fine. You first."
Bram looked down. "I'm in love with Yuki. Ever since she helped me up that day in front of the computer lab. But with my life… it's impossible."
I nodded slowly. "Theo was secretly dating my childhood friend. He thought I didn't know."
"That sucks, man."
I took a deep breath. "I can return from death."
Bram blinked. "What?"
"I don't know how it works. But when I die… I come back. Somewhere in the past. It's not a dream. It's real."
He stared at me like I was crazy. "You're serious?"
"Yes."
"So that's how you knew your parents were shapeshifters…"
"Exactly."
There was silence. Then—
"If that's true…" Bram said slowly, "you can go back and save Jace and Theo?"
I nodded. "That's the plan."
Bram sighed, and for once, he looked… hopeful. "Alright. Then let's do it."
The Hall – Seconds Before Rebellion
We stepped out of the room, armed.
"What the hell are you two doing?!" Silas snapped, stepping between us and the gate.
Bram raised his pistol and pointed it at Tessa, who stood frozen beside her grandfather.
"Hand over the keys to the fifth floor," Bram said.
Silas hesitated. "She's just a girl. Don't do this—"
"The keys," Bram growled, his voice cold.
Reluctantly, Silas pulled the key ring from his belt and threw it to me.
We climbed the stairs, stopping just outside the barricaded fifth floor.
"I'll stay here," Bram said. "But listen—if you die and the timeline resets, I need proof it's you. So here's a secret—one only I would know."
He leaned in and whispered it.
"Just say that, and I'll believe you."
I nodded.
Then I turned, and unlocked the fifth floor.
Fifth Floor – Ash's Final Walk
The hall was quiet.
The shotgun was heavy in my hands, but my heart was lighter than ever.
This time, I wasn't scared.
This time, I didn't come to fight.
I came to die.
Not out of hopelessness.
But for a chance—the smallest hope of undoing everything.
Of bringing Theo and Jace back.
I stepped forward… into the darkness.
And met death.