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Jinx and I had spent hours working on Sevika's new and improved arm.
Well, to be fair, Jinx had spent hours building it, pouring over every detail with the singular focus that only she possessed. I, on the other hand, had spent those same hours lingering nearby, offering commentary and occasional comic relief. Mechanics weren't my skill set—I was more likely to break something than fix it—but I didn't care. Being there for her in any way I could was enough. Even if that just meant filling the quiet with jokes or reminding her to take a break, I was happy to play my part.
When she finally finished, she stood back to admire her creation. The arm lay wrapped neatly on the table, the gleaming metal components tucked beneath decorative packaging and tied with a vibrant pink ribbon. She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she nodded in approval. A small but genuine smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of the Jinx she used to be—the one before all the chaos and loss.
I couldn't help but smile in return. It wasn't often these days that I saw anything other than exhaustion or anger etched across her face. To see her proud of something, even for a fleeting moment, made my chest ache in a bittersweet way.
But the peace didn't last.
Before I could say anything, my lungs suddenly felt as though they were being squeezed in a vice. A harsh, burning sensation clawed at my throat, forcing me to cough violently. Across the room, Jinx doubled over, hacking as she stumbled back from the table. My eyes darted around, and that's when I saw it—a thick green smoke curling through the air, its edges luminous and sickly as it filled the room.
The Enforcers.
I grabbed Jinx's arm, pulling her toward the rafters without hesitation. We clambered into the ceiling, our bodies pressed against the cold steel as the haze thickened below us. The acrid smoke worked to our advantage, making it harder for anyone to see us, but the cost was steep. Each breath burned, my lungs aching as I tried to keep quiet.
And then, through the haze, I saw her.
She stepped through the shattered glass of the entrance, moving with the kind of deliberate precision that made my stomach churn. My breath caught, my mind racing to process what I was seeing.
Vi? I couldn't believe it. She was an Enforcer now?
She strode forward, her head swiveling as she scanned the room. My heart pounded in my chest, but it wasn't fear—not yet, at least. It was something sharper, something harder to name.
I barely had time to process my shock before I noticed Jinx.
Her hand was trembling as she lifted her gun, the barrel aimed directly at her sister. Her face was a study in contradictions—her brows furrowed with determination, yet her lips quivered as though holding back words she couldn't bring herself to say. Her entire body was rigid, caught in a storm of anger and grief. I reached out, placing my hand gently on her thigh.
