Jessica's breath came fast.
Micah leaned close, voice urgent.
"Jess," he whispered. "If you pick transfer, you'll never forgive yourself."
Jessica swallowed, shaking.
"If I pick termination, I die."
Micah's jaw clenched.
"And if you pick collection __"
Jessica's breath caught.
"__ I lose myself," she whispered.
Halden's gaze stayed on Jessica.
"The system requires resolution," she said.
Jessica stared at the options.
A, B, C.
She felt like a child again, staring at ice that looked safe.
One wrong step.
Everything gone.
Jessica's vision blurred.
She clenched her fists.
Pain flared through her knuckles, anchoring her.
She looked up at Halden.
"What happens if I don't choose?" she asked, voice tight.
Halden's expression remained neutral.
"The system will select for you,"
