"Panic Reverse AU." N is dead.

The room of Uzi is quiet now. Too quiet. The kind of silence that feels like it’s holding its breath.

Uzi stands in the middle, arms crossed, sparks flickering from her neck joint. One of her eyes glitches slightly, and that haunting symbol pulses faintly in the reflection of broken glass nearby. She stares at it... then looks away.

“Hey... N.”

Her voice is almost gentle. Almost. She takes a step forward, touching the mangled remains of his old backpack frame like it’s some sacred relic.

“I know you’re still in here. Somewhere. Watching. Judging. Maybe... forgiving?”

She gives a little laugh. It's not happy. It’s not quite sane either.

“I didn’t want to. You know that, right? But the Solver… the panic... you said you'd never leave me. And I believed you.”

Her hand clenches, metal groaning in her grip.

“So I made sure you never could.”

She turns to face the shattered mirror, eyes dull and flickering. She tilts her head.

“I still hear you sometimes. In the clicks of the walls. In the way the air hums when I think too loud.”

“Do you hate me?”

Another pause.

“No... you wouldn't. You were too good for that. That’s why I kept you. Because I was too broken to watch you disappear. Again.”

She walks to the center of the room and sits. Like she's waiting. Like he's going to come through the door. Her head lowers, voice fragile but laced with something... twisted.

"Happy anniversary, dummy. I'm still wearing the jacket you hated. I knew you’d find that funny."

A flicker in her eye.

"Tell me you remember. Please."