[Lin – 5:47 a.m.]
The first sun in days paints the sky pink.
The wind is still.
Even the fire's smoke curls like it's too tired to rise.
Everyone's asleep.
I wish I could stay in this moment.
But I can't.
[5:50 a.m.]
The bandage around my waist is soaked.
I checked it three times before dawn.
Still spreading.
The bite's turning black.
No more pretending.
I stand slowly.
Every muscle aches.
But the ache in my chest is worse.
Not because I'm dying.
But because…
I didn't get more time with them, afterall I'm just 17.
I walk past Palm first.
He's holding Win's jacket like a blanket.
I smile.
I hope they get to confess someday.
Emily and FahFah are curled up together.
Dean's eyes are open—but he pretends to be asleep when I glance his way.
He always knows.
[5:58 a.m.]
Kao's the last one I check.
She's sleeping on her back, head turned slightly toward me.
Her face looks different in peace. Softer. Sadder.
She stirs as I sit beside her.
"Hey,"
I whisper.
Her eyes flutter open.
She blinks.
Then frowns.
"You're up early."
I nod.
"Baddream."
It's not a lie.
We sit in silence.
Then she says, too softly:
"You know you don't have to hide it."
I freeze.
Then laugh.
"Of course you'd notice."
She reaches for my hand, finds it cold.
She doesn't speak.
But her grip tightens.
"I was bitten,"
I say.
"Back when we were fightingthose things on our way to rooftop."
Kao doesn't move.
Her fingers twitch.
"I can save you,"
she whispers.
Her voice is shaking.
"I have a method. It's not easy, but I know it works. I—"
I pull away.
"No."
"You don't even know what it is—"
"I do,"
I cut in.
"Not the process. But I know the result."
She stares at me.
Her jaw clenches.
"I don't want to be like that, Kao."
"Not if it means killing the part of me that cries, or laughs, or loves."
Tears gather in her eyes.
But they don't fall.
Was she capable of crying?
I lean in, forehead touching hers.
Her hands are trembling.
I press one kiss to her lips.
Soft and maybe.....
Final.
"I loved you,"
I whisper.
She shakes her head, voice breaking.
"Don't say 'loved'. It's not over."
I don't correct her.
[6:10 a.m.]
I rise.
Kao doesn't stop me.
She watches me walk to the rooftop door.
The morning sun paints the stairwell golden.
It feels too beautiful for a goodbye.
But I step into it anyway.
I don't look back.
Because if I do, I'll never leave.
___________________________