“I saved you because I love you!” The words echoed around the empty room in the profound silence that followed. “I love you,” Kira continued, slowly rising in volume, “and I know you’ll never love me back, and it fucking kills me to see you with him, but it’s better than seeing you dead.” “Kira…” Aurelia said softly. Kira shook her head miserably. “Don’t. Just… don’t.” She jerkily wiped away the tears that had begun to form in her eyes. “I can’t deal with this right now.” Aurelia opened her mouth, but was cut off. “And it isn’t your fault, so don’t you dare apologize. It’s just Fate, being a fucking bitch, as usual.” With a sound that was half a laugh and half a sob, Kira started for the door. She hesitated as she reached the threshold and looked back. “See you around, I guess,” she said uncertainly. With that, she disappeared from the doorway.

Aurelia watched her friend leave, unable to recognize the swirl of emotions flooding through her body. She leaned against the rough stone wall and slid down. The cold floor was grounding as she took a few measured breaths. “Fuck.”

The wind whips at my hair and I peer over the edge of the platform. The height of the drop takes my breath away, and I feel my breakfast start climb back up my throat. I force it back down and take a shaky breath. “This is for him,” I remind myself. “It’ll be worth it.” I pat my harness and double check the bungee cord clip again in reassurance. Everything seems secure, almost suffocating in its snugness, but the knowledge doesn’t take away my fear. “You ready?” James asks. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Brandon wanted this, I remind myself. After this, only three more items until his bucket list is completed and his soul is finally laid to rest. “Let’s do this,” I mutter. Out of the corner of my eye, I see James flash me a thumbs up. Then, before I have time to chicken out, I leap into the void awaiting below.