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Emma let herself be taken by the soldiers.

She let herself be taken into the APC.

She let them drive her back to USARILN.

That’s what she wanted more than anything. To go back. To be done. It was too dangerous for them out here, they’d barely survived Wisford and they’d barely survived DC. Well, some of them did. She didn’t feel like she did. But at least they’d get to go back, back to the relative safety of the school. At least, that’s what she thought until it became evident that they weren’t. Her heart sank, the sense of impending doom within her growing. What could possibly happen next? The ever-present question still rested on her mind: Who was going to die? Marcus? Callan? Hazel? Herself?

She knew who she’d pick.

Emma filled up the journey with a combination of sulking and texting back and forth with Riley. Riley, after all this time it was still Riley. It hurt to think about- the promises they made, how things ended, and the fact that they still couldn’t let each other go. As for the others, well, Emma proved aloof during the ride over. She maintained her usual politeness, talked if they wanted to talk, but it was clear she’d rather be left alone for the moment. 

When they arrived at the mansion Emma had little reaction to their surroundings. It seemed like another place for them to die in. She was ready to sleep, if sleep would come for her, although she doubted it would. After half listening to the butler’s spiel she readily followed the maids, heading to her room as soon as they were done talking, favoring the rest of the group with a weary nod. 

She was quick the lock the door behind her. Finally, she was alone. She thought that she wanted to cry, but now the feeling wouldn’t come. Instead, she just stood there for a long moment. Maybe she was [i]trying[/i] to cry. She found that it helped, but it wouldn’t now. 

Instead she just waited for something to happen, but of course nothing did. 

The form of Determination grew before her.

[color=8A3DFF]”You’re still here, huh?”[/color]

She started at him. But of course, the creature gave no reaction. She reached out tentatively, softly laying her hand on the creature’s chest. It was cold and smooth, distinctly unhuman.

[color=8A3DFF]”We’re so weak, aren’t we? Well, I guess that’s my fault.”[/color]

She felt a little silly talking to something that she knew wouldn’t talk back.

[color=8A3DFF]”Can… can you…”[/color]

Emma hesitated. How sad was this? 

[color=8A3DFF]”Can you hold me?”[/color]

The creature extended its arms, wrapping them around her. She felt the tears rolling down her cheeks, or maybe it was a tear, she wasn’t quite sure. Determination’s embrace felt wrong, lifeless. She wanted warmth. But… this was all she had, wasn’t it? Or maybe it wasn’t. She didn’t fucking know.

Another long moment passed.

And then, suddenly, she was back on the cliff. The water stretched before her, waves crashing against the rock wall far below, suddenly morphing into the field of stars. It was the same vision as before this time, with the same drip of power.

And suddenly she was back just as quickly as it begun. She pulled away from Determination, looking the creature up and down. [color=8A3DFF]”What's changed now…?”[/color] she said idly to herself.

It started before she realized what was happening. For a moment the creature shuttered, before doubling over as if it was in great pain. It took her a second, but she realized that Determination was doing something she’d never seen it do before. A split was appearing in its previously blank face, as if it was always there and now struggling to be opened. It was right… right where a mouth would be.

Suddenly she became very aware of what was happening and it terrified her. 

The words came through the creature's stuck together mouth. [color=580ACC]”I…”[/color] Determination’s voice was heavy, guttural, rough. It sounded like a monster, and it also sounded like it was in pain. [color=580ACC]”I don’t…”[/color] Emma backed away, tripping over her own feet and landing ass-first on the floor. He wasn’t moving towards, but she was still scared. This was too much.

[color=580ACC]”I don’t… don’t want… don’t want to die…”[/color]

And then he was very suddenly gone. Emma didn’t move.

[color=8A3DFF]”F-fuck.”[/color] Emma stammered out between hurried breaths. [color=8A3DFF]"Fuck, fuck, fuck."[/color] came out in quick succession. She looked at the spot where he was standing before. He was still there, she could feel, ready to be called on. But... what did he mean?

What had she done? Of course, Emma didn't end up sleeping that night.