The wind on the rooftop was fierce, howling past Carmen as she stood teetering on the edge.
Below, the woman who had attacked her earlier was pointing upward while gesturing wildly, her voice faintly audible even against the wind. Around her, a small crowd had gathered. Some laughed while others shook their heads, but they all watched with that morbid curiosity reserved for train wrecks and car crashes.
Carmen glanced down, her heart heavy with despair but tinged with something darker—resentment.
She thought about what their faces would look like after she jumped. Would they scream? Would they cry? Or would they feel that cold rush of guilt as they realized they'd pushed her this far?
A bitter smile tugged at her lips. The thought felt almost like revenge.
Closing her eyes, Carmen raised her arms, the wind tugging at her clothes. Then, she let herself fall forward.
"Gosh!"
"She's jumping!"
Screams and gasps erupted from the ground below as her body tipped over the edge.
For a brief moment, Carmen felt weightless—free.
Then, everything stopped.
Pain shot through her arm as her body jerked to a halt. She opened her eyes, confused, only to find herself hanging in mid-air. Her hand was gripped tightly by someone from behind.
"What—" Carmen's voice was hoarse, her mind reeling.
Looking up, she saw her savior—Felicia. Her face was pale but resolute, and her arm was stretched taut as she clung to Carmen with all her strength.
Blood dripped from a gash on Felicia's forearm where it had scraped against the coarse edge of the rooftop, but she was smiling. She looked relieved, almost triumphant.
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