The girl stands there, in the sun’s light. A warm breeze blows through, rustling the leaves down the street.

‘…Sorry. I’m so sorry, Hermione. I can’t do it.’ Samantha bites her lip, as her tears begin to fall from her face. Her hands are clenched tightly. ‘I’m not strong enough to do it, I’m not brave enough. This was all too much for a girl like me to handle. I miss my mom. I miss my friends. I miss when life was easy and simple to understand. So, I’m sorry, Hermione. I can’t do it. Not even for you.’

>> € (M7 Charisma roll: 54 = Success) << (Lie.)

The sound of soft crying comes through her earpiece. Samantha stiffens. “…Please.” Hermione sniffles. “Samantha… my friend… I think she’s in there. I… I-” Hermione’s voice catches in her throat. “I know this is too much to ask, but… please. If she’s in there… I want her family to know.”

“…haah… haah…” Samantha was a coward. Always had been, always would be. She frightened easily, went along with whatever other people told her to do, never found the courage to fight for what she wanted. All her life, she’d just gone with the flow, too afraid to ever make a stand against it. Cowards like her were selfish, only ever wanting to protect themselves and run away from any problems.

The girl closes her eyes tightly, forcing her hands to still.

Even then, there were times when they had to do what was right.

Samantha turns back to the alley, determined, even with tears in her eyes. Clover watches her with concern over her face.

“...I’m coming too.” For her friend, she would face those fears head-on.

>How could you stop such a determined girl's renewed will??