FLASHBACK
Ethan leans back slightly, watching her again.
Noticing the small changes.
The way she reacts now.
Less sharp.
Less immediate.
Still careful.
Still guarded.
But softer.
Just a little.
"You're getting used to it," he says quietly.
Jay looks at him.
"…to what?"
"Being here."
She pauses.
Because—
He's not wrong.
And she doesn't like that.
"…temporary," she says.
The word comes out slower this time.
Less certain.
Ethan nods.
"Of course."
He doesn't argue.
Doesn't correct her.
Just lets her say it.
And that—
That makes it easier to breathe.
The light shifts again.
A little further.
Time keeps moving.
Slow.
Steady.
Jay sits there.
Still.
Watching.
Listening.
And for the first time—
She doesn't feel like she needs to leave immediately.
Not running.
Not planning.
Just…
Staying.
The room doesn't stay quiet for long.
It never really does.
Daniel is already talking again.
"…I'm just saying, if we had a proper system, none of this would happen."
"We do have a system," Cora replies.
"It's a bad system."
"It works."
"It barely works."
"It still works."
Jay leans back slightly in her chair, watching them.
Her eyes move between them, slower now.
Less alert.
Less sharp.
Still aware—
But not on edge every second.
That's new.
"…you argue a lot," she says.
Daniel looks at her. "It's called bonding."
"That's not bonding."
"It is for us."
Cora rolls her eyes. "Ignore him."
"I am."
"You're literally talking to him."
"…unfortunately."
Daniel grins. "See? She likes me."
"I really don't."
"Denial."
"Reality."
Jay exhales softly, shaking her head.
Her fingers tap once against the table—
Then stop.
She notices it.
Stillness.
That's… different.
"Alright," Alex's voice cuts through again.
The room shifts.
Not tense.
Just focused.
"We're moving in twenty."
Jay's head lifts slightly.
Moving.
Again.
Cora stands immediately. "I'll get ready."
Daniel groans. "Already?"
"Yes, already."
"This is too early."
"It's not early."
"It feels early."
"Move."
He sighs dramatically but gets up anyway.
Luna follows quietly, already organizing things.
The room empties quickly.
Too quickly.
Jay watches them go.
Her chest tightens slightly.
Not panic.
Just… something else.
Movement.
Action.
Her body remembers that feeling.
Too well.
Ethan stands.
Jay looks up at him.
"You're staying," he says.
Not a question.
A statement.
Her jaw tightens slightly.
"I can help."
"No."
"I said I can—"
"You can walk without falling. That's your current achievement."
She glares. "That's rude."
"That's accurate."
"I'm not weak."
"I didn't say you are."
"Then why am I not going?"
He holds her gaze.
Steady.
"Because you're not ready."
There it is again.
That word.
Ready.
Jay exhales sharply, looking away.
"I don't need to be ready."
"You do."
"No, I don't."
"Yes, you do."
"I've handled worse."
The words slip out.
Too fast.
Too real.
Silence.
Ethan doesn't react immediately.
But something shifts in his expression.
Small.
Subtle.
"You're not handling this alone," he says quietly.
Jay freezes slightly.
Her fingers curl again.
She looks away.
"…I wasn't planning to," she mutters.
Lie.
Half lie.
Something in between.
A few seconds pass.
Then—
"What if something happens?" she asks.
The question comes out lower this time.
Less defensive.
More… real.
Ethan leans slightly against the table.
"Then we deal with it."
"That's not a plan."
"It is."
"No, it's not."
"It works."
Jay shakes her head slightly.
"That's risky."
"Yeah."
"You're just okay with that?"
"No."
He pauses.
Then—
"But we still go."
That answer sits heavier this time.
Jay looks down at the table.
Her reflection stares back faintly.
Blurred.
Unclear.
"…someone could get hurt," she says.
Ethan doesn't answer right away.
Then—
"Yeah."
Simple.
No avoiding it.
Her chest tightens again.
A little stronger this time.
Her fingers press into the edge of the table.
Unconsciously.
For a second—
The room feels different.
Not the same as before.
Not calm.
Not quiet.
Just…
Closer.
Tighter.
Her breathing shifts slightly.
She notices it.
Tries to ignore it.
Doesn't work.
"Jay."
Ethan's voice.
Steady.
Grounding.
She looks up.
Her focus snaps back.
The room settles again.
Slowly.
"…I'm fine," she says.
There it is again.
Automatic.
He exhales quietly.
"You always say that."
"Because it's true."
"It's not always."
She doesn't answer.
Because—
He's right.
Again.
Footsteps return.
Fast this time.
Cora reappears first.
"Let's go."
Alex follows behind her.
Luna right after.
Daniel last, still fixing something on his jacket.
"Everyone ready?" Alex asks.
"Yes."
"Yeah."
"Obviously."
Jay watches them.
One by one.
Moving.
Focused.
Like this is normal.
Like this is just another day.
Her chest tightens again.
A little sharper.
Ethan notices.
Of course.
He steps slightly in front of her.
Blocking her view just enough.
"Stay here," he says quietly.
She looks at him.
"…be careful."
The words slip out.
Unexpected.
She didn't plan to say that.
Didn't mean to.
But—
They're real.
Ethan pauses for a second.
Then nods once.
"We will."
They leave.
Just like that.
Fast.
Efficient.
The room feels bigger immediately.
Quieter.
Too quiet.
Jay sits there.
Still.
Her eyes fixed on the door.
Waiting.
For what?
She doesn't know.
Her fingers start tapping again.
Faster this time.
She stops them.
Forces them still.
Her breathing isn't steady.
Not bad.
But not calm.
Just… uneven.
"…this is stupid," she mutters.
Sitting.
Waiting.
Doing nothing.
Her body doesn't like it.
Not at all.
She stands.
Slow.
Careful.
Her legs hold.
Better this time.
She walks.
One step.
Then another.
The room feels too empty.
Too still.
Her chest tightens again.
No.
Not this.
Not again.
She exhales slowly.
Focus.
Control.
Normal.
Everything is—
A sound.
Sharp.
From outside.
Jay freezes.
Her body reacts instantly.
Her breath stops.
Her fingers lock.
Her eyes snap toward the door.
Silence follows.
Heavy.
Too heavy.
Her chest tightens harder.
Faster.
Her breathing starts to break again—
No.
No no no—
She presses her hand against the table.
Ground yourself.
Stay here.
Stay—
The door opens.
Jay flinches hard.
Her body jerks slightly—
Then—
Ethan.
He's back.
She blinks.
Her breathing stutters.
The tension doesn't disappear immediately.
It lingers.
Slowly fading.
"You're okay," he says.
She exhales sharply.
"…that was fast."
"Nothing serious."
He steps inside fully.
Closing the door behind him.
The room settles again.
Bit by bit.
Jay leans back against the table.
Her shoulders drop slightly.
"…I hate that," she mutters.
"That reaction?"
"Yes."
He nods once.
"Yeah."
No judgment.
No surprise.
Just—
Understanding.
She looks at him.
Really looks this time.
"You always come back fast?"
"Yeah."
"…good."
The word is quiet.
But real.
And for the first time—
She doesn't try to take it back.
The silence doesn't last.
It never does.
Ethan barely takes two steps inside before—
"Change of plan," Alex's voice comes from the door.
It swings open again.
Fast.
Cora steps in first. Focused. Sharp.
Daniel right behind her. "Okay, now it's interesting."
Luna closes the door quickly.
Jay straightens.
Her body reacts before her mind does.
Something's wrong.
"What happened?" Ethan asks.
"Complication," Alex says. "Small. But we need another set of eyes."
Jay's chest tightens.
Another set.
Her fingers curl slightly.
Cora's eyes flick to her.
Just for a second.
Then away.
"No," Ethan says immediately.
Jay looks at him.
Then at Alex.
Then back at Ethan.
"I can help," she says.
This time—
She doesn't hesitate.
Ethan exhales sharply. "No."
"I heard everything."
"That's not enough."
"I can still—"
"You're not ready."
There it is again.
That word.
Ready.
Jay steps forward.
Her legs don't shake this time.
"I'm not staying here again," she says.
Her voice is steady.
More than before.
"I'm not just sitting and waiting."
Silence.
Quick.
Sharp.
Cora watches her.
Evaluating.
Daniel raises an eyebrow. "She's got a point."
"No, she doesn't," Ethan replies.
"She kinda does."
"She doesn't."
"She does."
"Daniel."
"Okay, I'm done."
He's not.
But he stops talking.
Jay looks at Alex.
Not Ethan.
Not anyone else.
Alex.
"You said you need another set of eyes," she says.
"I have eyes."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
A pause.
Then—
"Let me come."
The words hang there.
Not loud.
But strong.
Real.
Ethan steps closer.
Lower voice.
"Jay."
She doesn't look at him.
"I'm not asking," she says.
That—
That changes something.
The room shifts slightly.
Not tension.
Not exactly.
Just… attention.
Alex studies her.
For a moment.
Then another.
"You stay behind Ethan," he says.
Ethan turns sharply. "No."
"Controlled exposure," Alex replies calmly.
"She's not ready."
"She won't be if she keeps sitting here."
Jay's chest tightens slightly.
But not panic.
Not fear.
Something else.
Movement.
Choice.
Ethan looks at her.
Really looks.
Like he's trying to read something deeper.
"…you don't leave my side," he says finally.
Jay nods once.
"Fine."
The shift is immediate.
Movement.
Energy.
Everyone's ready again.
Cora hands Jay something small.
A simple blade.
"Just in case," she says.
Jay looks at it.
Her fingers hesitate—
Just for a second.
Then she takes it.
Her grip tightens.
Not fear.
Familiarity.
That scares her more.
They move.
Fast.
Through the hallway.
Down the stairs.
Out.
The air outside hits differently.
Cool.
Sharp.
Real.
Jay's senses spike.
Everything feels louder.
Brighter.
Closer.
Her steps match Ethan's.
Right behind him.
Exactly like he said.
"Stay close," he murmurs.
"I am."
"Closer."
She steps nearer.
Almost shoulder to shoulder now.
Her breathing is steady.
For now.
They stop near a narrow street.
Dark.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Jay's eyes scan automatically.
Corners.
Windows.
Shadows.
Her body remembers this.
Too well.
"Target's inside," Alex says quietly.
"Two exits."
"Three," Jay says without thinking.
Everyone pauses.
Cora looks at her. "Where?"
Jay points slightly. "Back window. Half-covered."
A beat.
Then—
Cora nods once. "She's right."
Ethan glances at her.
Not surprised.
Just… noticing.
"Positions," Alex says.
They move.
Quick.
Precise.
Jay stays with Ethan.
Exactly where she said she would.
Her heart beats faster now.
But not out of control.
Not panic.
Just adrenaline.
A sound.
Inside.
Movement.
Voices.
Jay's grip tightens around the blade.
Her breathing slows.
Focus.
Stay here.
Stay now.
The door opens.
Fast.
Everything happens at once.
Voices.
Movement.
A shout.
Jay flinches—
But doesn't freeze.
Not completely.
Ethan steps forward.
Blocking.
Handling.
Controlled.
Jay watches.
Her body tense.
Ready.
But not breaking.
Another sound.
Behind.
Jay turns instantly.
The back window.
Movement.
Someone trying to slip out.
Her eyes lock onto it.
Without thinking—
She moves.
Fast.
Two steps.
Three—
She reaches the window just as the figure climbs through.
"Stop," she says.
Her voice is low.
Sharp.
Not shaking.
The figure freezes for a second—
Then moves again.
Jay reacts.
Grabs.
Pulls back.
The person stumbles inside.
Cora appears immediately.
"Got it."
She takes over.
Clean.
Efficient.
Everything settles.
Fast.
Too fast.
Silence returns.
Heavy.
But controlled.
Jay steps back.
Her breathing picks up slightly.
Her hands—
Still steady.
Mostly.
She looks at them.
Then away.
Ethan walks up to her.
"You moved."
She shrugs slightly. "You were busy."
"That wasn't the plan."
"It worked."
A pause.
Then—
"…yeah," he admits.
Alex steps closer.
Eyes on Jay.
"You notice fast."
Jay doesn't answer.
Because—
She didn't think.
She just acted.
Like before.
Like always.
Cora crosses her arms. "She's useful."
Daniel grins. "Told you."
Ethan exhales quietly.
Not annoyed.
Not relieved.
Just… something in between.
Jay stands there.
Still.
Her heart slowly calming.
Her breathing steady again.
And for the first time—
She didn't freeze.
She didn't run.
She didn't break.
She stayed.
They move back fast.
No one talks much.
Mission done.
Clean.
Simple.
But Jay's mind isn't calm.
Not even close.
Her steps match theirs, but something feels off.
Too quiet inside her head.
Like something is building.
They enter the mansion.
Door shuts.
Safe.
Done.
Everyone relaxes slightly.
Daniel stretches. "That was easy."
Cora scoffs. "You did nothing."
"I observed."
"You hid."
"I strategically stayed alive."
Luna sighs. "Can we not start again?"
Normal.
Everything sounds normal again.
But Jay—
Jay isn't there.
Not fully.
Her hand is still gripping the blade.
Too tight.
Her fingers don't relax.
Even when there's no need.
Even when it's over.
"Jay."
Ethan's voice.
Close.
She looks up.
Slow.
Her focus is a second late.
"You can let go," he says.
She looks down.
Her hand.
The blade.
Her grip loosens.
Slowly.
Like her fingers forgot how to move.
She lets it drop on the table.
A small sound.
Sharp.
It echoes more than it should.
Her chest tightens.
Suddenly.
Too fast.
Her breathing shifts.
Wrong.
Too shallow.
Too quick.
No.
Not now.
"You did good," Daniel says.
Jay flinches.
Small.
But real.
Good.
That word—
Her head feels heavy.
Her vision flickers slightly.
The room feels too close.
Too loud.
Too—
"Jay."
Ethan again.
Closer this time.
She steps back.
One step.
Then another.
"I'm fine," she says quickly.
Too quickly.
"I just—"
Her voice cuts.
Her breath doesn't come out right.
Her chest tightens harder.
Her fingers curl again.
Nothing is working.
The room tilts.
Not fully.
Just enough.
Her heartbeat gets louder.
Faster.
Too fast.
"No," she mutters. "No, I'm—"
Her words break.
"Hey."
Ethan steps in front of her.
Blocking everything else.
"Look at me."
She shakes her head. "I can't—"
"Yes, you can."
"I'm fine—"
"You're not."
Her breathing stutters.
Her chest hurts.
Her hands start shaking again.
Worse this time.
Because she knows this feeling.
She hates this feeling.
"Jay."
His voice drops.
Softer.
Steady.
"Stay here."
Her eyes lift.
Barely.
Focus.
On him.
Just him.
Not the room.
Not the noise.
Not the—
"Breathe," he says.
She tries.
Fails.
"I can't—"
"Yes, you can."
Her breath comes out broken.
Uneven.
Again.
"Slow."
She forces it.
In.
Out.
It doesn't work.
Again.
In—
Out—
Her chest tightens.
Then—
Loosens.
Just a little.
"That's it," he says quietly.
She grips his sleeve.
Without thinking.
Tight.
Like she needs something real.
He doesn't move.
Doesn't pull away.
Just stays there.
The noise fades.
Bit by bit.
Her breathing slows.
Still uneven.
But better.
Her hands stop shaking as much.
Her shoulders drop slightly.
"…I hate this," she whispers.
"Yeah."
"I was fine."
"You were holding it."
She shakes her head weakly. "No, I was—"
"You weren't."
She doesn't argue.
Because—
He's right.
Again.
A few seconds pass.
Or minutes.
She doesn't know.
Her breathing steadies.
Finally.
Her grip loosens on his sleeve.
Slowly.
She lets go.
Steps back.
The room feels normal again.
Mostly.
Not perfect.
But stable.
No one is staring.
Jay notices that.
Cora is pretending to check something.
Daniel is quiet for once.
Luna is nearby—but not too close.
Alex isn't saying anything.
No pressure.
No attention.
Just… space.
Jay exhales slowly.
"…that was embarrassing."
"No, it wasn't," Ethan says.
"Yes, it was."
"No."
"I literally forgot how to breathe again."
"That's not how it works."
"Feels like it."
A small pause.
Then—
"…you still did good," he adds.
She looks at him.
"…don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't say it like that."
"Like what?"
"Like it matters."
He holds her gaze.
"It does."
That—
That hits differently.
She looks away first.
"…I just reacted," she mutters.
"Exactly."
Silence.
Short.
But real.
Cora finally speaks.
"You didn't freeze."
Jay looks at her.
"You moved fast."
Daniel nods. "Very dramatic too."
"Shut up," Cora says.
"I'm complimenting her."
"Don't."
Jay blinks slightly.
"…thanks," she says.
Awkward.
Unfamiliar.
But real.
She leans back against the table.
Her body still a little heavy.
But stable.
Still here.
Still standing.
Ethan watches her.
"…you stayed," he says quietly.
Jay exhales.
"…yeah."
A small pause.
Then—
"…I stayed."
And this time—
She doesn't sound unsure.
The next few days don't feel the same.
They move faster.
Not rushed—
Just… fuller.
Morning.
Jay is already awake.
Sitting by the window again.
But this time—
She's not watching the exit.
She's watching the sky.
That's new.
"You're up early."
Ethan's voice.
Behind her.
She doesn't turn immediately.
"Didn't sleep much," she says.
"Nightmares?"
She pauses.
"…no."
Lie.
He doesn't push.
"Alright."
Later—
She's walking without thinking about it.
No hesitation.
No checking every step.
Her body remembers now.
And that feels… strange.
"Careful," Cora says as Jay nearly bumps into her.
"I saw you," Jay replies.
"You didn't."
"I did."
"You walked into me."
"That was intentional."
"Sure."
Daniel laughs from the side. "She's learning."
"I'm not learning from you," Jay says.
"Ouch."
"Accurate," Cora adds.
Another day.
Another run.
This time—
Jay doesn't ask.
She just stands near the door.
Ready.
Ethan notices.
Of course.
"You're coming?"
She nods once.
He watches her for a second.
Then—
"Same rule."
"Stay with you," she says.
"Exactly."
Outside feels less sharp now.
Still alert.
Still aware.
But not overwhelming.
Her breathing stays steady.
That's important.
They move.
Quick.
Focused.
Jay follows.
Closer this time.
More natural.
Inside the building—
Voices.
Movement.
Same as before.
But this time—
She doesn't freeze.
Doesn't hesitate.
Her eyes track everything.
Corners.
Doors.
Windows.
Always windows.
"Left," she says quietly.
Cora moves immediately.
No question.
That's new.
The moment passes fast.
Too fast to think.
Just action.
Movement.
Control.
Back at the mansion—
No panic this time.
No shaking.
Just—
Silence.
A calm one.
"You're improving," Alex says.
Jay looks at him.
"…I'm surviving."
"That's part of it."
She nods slightly.
Later—
She sits with Luna.
Not by accident.
Not because she had nowhere else to go.
Just… sitting.
"You're quieter today," Luna says.
"I'm always quiet."
"Different quiet."
Jay glances at her.
"…is that bad?"
"No," Luna smiles softly. "It means you're thinking differently."
Jay looks away.
She doesn't know what that means.
But it doesn't feel wrong.
Another day passes.
Faster.
Easier.
More normal.
Jay laughs.
Small.
Quick.
But real.
Daniel freezes dramatically. "Did you hear that?"
Cora looks up. "What?"
"She laughed."
"I did not," Jay says immediately.
"You did."
"That was not a laugh."
"It was a laugh."
"It was a sound."
"That's what a laugh is."
Jay shakes her head.
"…you're annoying."
"And you're smiling again."
She stops.
Her expression changes instantly.
Back to neutral.
But—
Too late.
They saw it.
Ethan doesn't say anything.
He just watches.
Noticing.
Always noticing.
That night—
The mansion is quiet again.
Jay sits on the floor this time.
Not the bed.
Not the corner.
Just… the floor.
Ethan leans against the wall.
Same as before.
Some things don't change.
"You're different," he says.
She frowns slightly. "How?"
"You stay."
She looks at him.
"…I stayed before."
"Not like this."
A pause.
Then—
"…I guess," she mutters.
Silence.
But not heavy.
Not sharp.
Just… calm.
Her fingers rest still.
No tapping.
No shaking.
Just… still.
"…it feels weird," she says.
"What does?"
"This."
She gestures slightly.
"The quiet. The… normal."
Ethan nods.
"Yeah."
"I keep thinking it's going to stop."
"It might."
She looks at him.
That answer—
Too honest.
"…that doesn't help."
"I'm not trying to help," he says.
"I'm being real."
She exhales.
"…I hate that you're right all the time."
"I'm not right all the time."
"Most of the time."
"Maybe."
Another pause.
Short.
But enough.
"…what if I mess this up?" she asks suddenly.
The question comes out softer.
Less guarded.
More real.
Ethan looks at her.
"You won't."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
"How?"
"Because you haven't run yet."
That—
That hits.
She looks away.
"…I could."
"But you didn't."
Silence.
Her chest tightens slightly.
Not panic.
Not fear.
Just… something deeper.
Something she doesn't understand yet.
"…I don't want to," she says quietly.
There it is.
The truth.
Small.
But real.
Ethan nods once.
"Then don't."
Simple.
Like it's that easy.
It's not.
But still—
Jay leans back against the wall.
Her eyes slowly close.
Her breathing steady.
Her body calm.
And for the first time—
The thought of leaving doesn't come immediately.
She just stays.