Solidify.

With only seconds to spare, the young heroine shut her eyes and tried to focus on solidifying, hoping it would stop the knife from piercing her skull. In her mind’s eye, she watched as the people she loved all turned their backs on her, disappointed and disgusted. And all she could do was curse herself for the fact that she might’ve gotten herself killed.

...Only, she didn’t. Instead, there was a harsh thud in the wall above her head. Opening her eyes, Cassie saw that Fonzie had stabbed the knife into the wall, staring at it shakily. The mob boss then slowly looked down, and in that moment, Cassie witnessed something that defied belief: Tears. Tears were welling up in Alfonso's eyes. The two's glances met perfectly, and in that moment, it was as if Starslip could hear what Fonzie was thinking. Her expression read "Why can't I kill you?" mixed with "Why did I WANT to kill you?"

She…didn’t do it… the young blonde realized. She…COULDN’T do it.

“...Tammy…” Cassie started to whisper, surprising herself at the use of Fonzie’s first name, before the mob boss reached down and untied the sheets from her wrists and ankles. The older woman then buried her face in the blonde's neck, sobbing hard and loud. Unsure of what else to do, the young woman merely wrapped her arms around her, and soon, began to cry as well. Neither would be sure exactly when they fell to slumber, only that they held each other through the night, shedding tears for all that they'd lost, and wondering what was left for either of them now…