The Shard

[Samantha McManus]

"You... you didn't have to do it..."

[Atropha]

"Then how would I have existed in that moment? You can't change something that's already happened..."

[Samantha McManus]

"Then... then I lost you anyway."

Samantha slumped to the floor, defeated.

[Atropha]

"I just wanted you to save yourself from... from this place. It was the only thing I could do. I should have known you better than to expect you to give up..."

[Samantha McManus]

"And I still failed..."

[Atropha]

"I'm sorry... I thought I had made it. Had found a way back. Maybe I could just pretend to be who I used to but the way you looked at me... I knew I couldn't."

[Samantha McManus]

"And now it's like you've died anyway..."

[Atropha]

"There was nothing anyone could have done..."

[Samantha McManus]

"That's not what it feels like, damn it!"

[Atropha]

"I'm so sorry..." she says, sliding down against the wall until she's sitting on the floor. In a way she's come to terms with this but everything that's happened in the last couple days has left her drained and seeing Sam torn up like this is just too much right now.

[Samantha McManus]

"I can't... I can't fix it, and it just feels like I've failed you..."

"...again."

[Atropha]

"I'm still alive..." she offers, trying hard to suppress the voice in her head reminding her of the times when that didn't seem like the better option.

[Samantha McManus]

"I... I know."

"And... part of me wants nothing more than to just hold you right now but..."

"...part of me isn't sure that's right."

[Atropha]

"I can't blame you..." she says, a little surprised at herself that she still has the capacity to sound disappointed.

[Samantha McManus]

"I... I want to understand, but..."

[Atropha]

"It's... it's this place. There's barely any good left in it. It grinds you down. I tried to stay true to myself, hoped I'd find a way back soon or that you'd find me. But when weeks turned into months I had to survive somehow and that became the only thing that really mattered... Even if you want to do the right thing you end up having to stoop to their level at some point. And then there's just... there's something in the air here. I'm sure you felt it up there. Something that's just 'wrong'."

[Samantha McManus]

"You're coming back with me," she said as if she was convincing herself of it as much as anyone.

[Atropha]

"What's the point. I don't want to be a burden or responsibility born out of something that once was."

[Samantha McManus]

She met the sphinx's gaze.

"You still don't belong here."

[Atropha]

She doesn't manage to hold it for long.

"I suppose not, no..."

[Samantha McManus]

"And I'm..."

"...I'm not ready to let go."

[Atropha]

Nailah winces a little at that.

"Of course... It's only been a couple days for you..." she says quietly.

[Samantha McManus]

"So bringing you back is the least I can do. Bringing you home."

[Atropha]

"I do miss it..."

[Samantha McManus]

"Then, and only then, can we figure out... everything else."

[Atropha]

"Need to destroy that portal generator at the very least." she says, pushing herself up and straightening herself in more ways than one.

[Samantha McManus]

She slowly stood as well.

"It's... not safe here."

"...still want to save you, God help me."

[Atropha]

"You're right though. Abandoned or not, this place isn't safe..." she says, trying to pretend to herself she didn't hear the rest of what Sam said.

[Samantha McManus]

Samantha gave a slow nod and, for a moment, it seemed as if she wanted to do something else.

She didn't voice this desire though, and the flock descended from the building.

[Atropha]

Nailah stopped for a moment next to her dead counterpart to grab what remains of her staff but decides it's time to let go. Turning away she notices something lieing on the ground that must have fallen from the sphinxes pocket. She leans down to pick up the book before hurrying after Sam.