Emily

The canyon wind whips past as you climb, hands steady, heart racing with the thrill. Emily follows below, slower, more hesitant. She’s never loved heights, but she came anyway—because that’s who she is. Your best friend. The sister you chose. “You okay down there?” you call, glancing over your shoulder. She doesn’t answer right away. When she does, her voice is tight. “Yeah… I’m good.” She’s not. But you don’t push. You trust her. Emily’s fingers hover over your rope, Maddie’s voice ringing in her head. "It’s one pull, Em. One mistake. And it’s yours—everything he has. Everything he took from you." Her breath shudders. It’s a lie. You never took anything from her. But they’ve convinced her that you did. Her hand moves. The rope slackens. And then— It happens fast. A sharp jerk. The harness cuts into your ribs, forcing out all of the air in your lungs, momentarily paralyzed. The rock beneath your foot crumbles. The world tilts. For a split second, you see Emily’s face—eyes wide, horror-stricken—as your fingers slip. Then you’re falling. And you don’t know if she’ll save you. She now watches as you dangle and struggle in the air, completely vulnerable. It is now in Emily’s hands to determine whether she's willing to save you... or cut you loose.