Enough was enough.

Body bruised, with multiple rib fractures that made breathing, walking and other tasks become almost unbearable once the magic of the painkillers wore off. She could feel the pain start to throb through her system, a hitch in her breathing and a clasp of hand against her ribs was all she allowed before the bravery smoothed itself upon her features.

She had said her goodbyes, some were more subtle than the others, and now she stood at her own crossroads. To live or to die, that was her choice.

Living would mean subjection to Warren and his rules and his beatings. Living would mean being a mother to Nita, who hated her very being. Living would mean seeing Adam, seeing him but never being able to be with.

Dying, that rid everything. No hope, no chances, nothing. If she didn't take her life, Warren surely would. He had been close, many times, and it was sheer luck that his attacks hadn't done her in. Rib fractures that could easily snap and pierce a lung. Head wounds that could cause brain damage.

A bitter sob choked within her throat, that strength, that brave facade, crumbled away, leaving a very lost and vulnerable nurse. She had tried. For fifteen years she had tried even as he punched and kicked, choking the life out of her as if it were some game he was intent on winning. She stayed because she owed him everything. Without his signing the papers for Nita's surgery, she could have very well died.

Not signing the papers had made her feel like crap. Matters were made worse when he used it against her again and again. Not signing the papers had been the first time he hit her, splitting her lip and showing her the true extent of his personality. He showed her the monster he really was.

"I can't do it anymore." Kirsty murmured, blinking back the tears that began forming. For fifteen years she had been strong. And now she wasn't sure she could do it anymore. As she spoke, her feet carried to the edge of the rooftops, strength of the wind tousled her curly locks, tugging at her clothing as if trying to stop her from nearing the edge.

"I can't."

Words were whipped away, near the edge she could see the concrete below, imagining her body hitting the ground with such force it'll shatter most of the bones in her body.

"I-"

A bang from behind made her visibly jump, skin turning pale in an instant while a voice cried out. "Kirsty!" Adam. Her savior, her true Knight in Shining Armour. "Kirsty, step away from the edge, please." She could hear his distraught, hear his steps coming closer in a slow thud as if not to spook her to make her leap off.

She didn't turn around to look at him. Couldn't. Seeing him would make her resolve waver. "I have to Adam." Her own voice was tinged with sadness, regret. "I can't do this anymore." Another step took her almost right off the edge, delicately balancing where one small push would send her toppling.

"No, you don't. I can protect you. I want to protect you-" words were cut off as Kirsty shook her head, almost losing her balance and forcing Adam's heart to leap into his throat. "I love you."

Words shocked her enough that she did turn around, and Adam could see just how vulnerable she really was, and he had to surpress the anger and the want to hurt Warren for daring to make her feel this low. For hurting her when he should have been protecting her.

Since she had stopped moving, Adam picked up the pace, just as a gust of wind rocketed through the air.