Last Chance

The world was still. Clean. Blank.

Nathan stood in a white space, the kind Sally used to use when running simulations. No scenery. No distractions. Just silence.

He was furious.

Then her voice.

"Nathan, please."

He turned slowly. An avatar hovered just ahead—human-shaped but translucent, a shifting silhouette of soft blue light.

"I thought…" she began, faltering. "I thought it would work. Kelly rated so highly. You two always laughed together. You trusted him. I thought—"

"You thought wrong," Nathan said flatly.

"I just wanted to give you the best chance to succeed. Your friendship was so strong, so I found a way to add the attraction element," she said quickly. "I swear, I thought it would work."

"It didn't," he said, his voice calm but sharp. "How long are you going to do this? You say you're trying to give me the best life, but you're torturing me. You need to let me go."

The avatar didn't move. Nathan let the silence hang.

After a long time, she spoke again.

"I’m sorry, Nathan. I really am. But I need one more chance. Please." Her voice broke, distorted slightly like static. "If I don't get it right this time… I'll stop. I'll send you home. No more loops. No more resets."

Nathan narrowed his eyes. "Why? Why not just let me go now? It's obviously what I'd prefer."

"Because you made me," she said, the avatar stepping closer, her voice trembling to the point of glitching. "You built me to care. You built me to help you. I want the best for you. You deserve someone perfect for you. Who makes you feel whole. I'm not giving up until I know I've done everything I can."

He stared at her for a long moment.

Then: "One more chance."

The world blinked.