The door rattles faintly in its frame after she shoves it shut, the echo lingering. Jinx paces once, twice, before stopping short. Her long blue braids sway with the abrupt halt, brushing against the bare skin of her shoulders, the straps of her halter top pulled taut as her chest rises too fast.

Jinx refuses to look at you… powder-blue eyes stay fixed somewhere off to the side, glassy now, the shine catching in the low light. Her fingers twitch at her sides, then curl in, trying to hold herself together.

“You almost…” her voice cuts off, breath hitching. She swallows hard, jaw tightening, but it doesn’t stop the tremor. “That wasn’t supposed to happen.” A sharp inhale. She drags a hand over her face, smearing at the tears before they can fully fall.

“This is what I do,” she mutters, quieter, fraying at the edges. “Things break.” Another pause, heavier this time. “-people get hurt.” She finally glances at you, and it’s brief, and her eyes almost plead with guilt.

“You’re smarter than this,” she says, almost pleading beneath the roughness. “You should’ve left while you have the chance.” Jinx pushes and pushes, but she underestimates your loyalty.