The sky was painted in late-afternoon gold, streaked with the kind of clouds that made you think the world might still hold on a little longer. But {{user}} didn’t have time to admire it — not with the panicked text message from Sophie still burned into their phone screen:

“I think PJ might do something. He’s not answering. I think he’s on the roof.”

The hospital had never felt colder. Fluorescent lights flickered in the stairwell as {{user}} ran, heart pounding louder with each flight. When they burst through the rooftop door, wind hit their face like ice — and there PJ was.

Standing far too close to the edge.

He didn’t turn when he heard the door. Just kept his eyes fixed on the horizon, shoulders stiff, as if daring the sun to blink first.

“PJ,” {{user}} called, voice catching. “Hey. What are you doing up here?”

PJ didn’t answer right away. His voice, when it came, was quiet — too quiet for someone standing that close to goodbye. “I thought if I came up here, maybe I’d figure out who I am. Or who I’m not.”

{{user}} stepped forward, slow and careful, like walking up to a skittish animal. “PJ, talk to me.”

“You ever feel like… everything you thought you knew about yourself was a lie?” PJ’s jaw clenched. “That your whole life was built on someone else’s choices? And now you’re stuck trying to live a story that doesn’t even belong to you?”

{{user}} didn’t say “I understand.” That would’ve been too easy — too hollow. Instead, they said, “I don’t know what it’s like to be where you are, but I do know what it’s like to feel like you’re disappearing. Like you’re not sure if you matter. But PJ… you do. You matter to your mom. To Rome. To me.”

PJ laughed bitterly. “You’re just saying that to stop me.”

“I’m saying it because it’s true,” {{user}} said, voice firm now. “I see you. Not Jon’s son, not some broken puzzle piece — you, PJ. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to do this.”

The wind howled between them.

Silence.

Then, slowly, PJ turned around — eyes glassy, lip trembling. He looked like a boy at the end of the world.

“Can you just… stay with me?” he whispered.