POV: Otto Moorland

I stepped back from the edge, and Desi collapsed against me in relief.

"Don't ever do that again," she sobbed. "Don't ever make me think I'm about to watch you die."

"I'm sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing."

"The right thing is letting people who love you help carry the burden. Not trying to protect us by removing yourself."

We sat on the cliff, away from the edge, while Cassio contacted Dr. Morrison about an emergency session. The sun continued rising, ...