Ethics

"Terra, be careful!"

"I'm not gonna bring down the tunnel on us! Geez! Would it kill you to put a little faith in-"

If she would have just listened, she would know that one of Jinx's favorite tactics was to shoot the ground and create a chasm. But there's no need to now.

She just did.

But unforunately for Jinx, this is her first encounter with Terra. She has little trouble turning Jinx attack back on her, but as the earth still crumbles beneath our feet, I remember something.

The old subway tunnels, hundreds of feet below the city, are right beneath us.

And so we all plunge into darkness.

"Mmhhh..."

"Rav...Ra...en..."

I blink a few times. I shouldn't be seeing light.

"Raven? You okay?"

Terra's over me, holding a flickering flare.

"Peachy." I mumble as I stand up and dust myself off, "That's what I was trying to warn you about. Jinx has-"

I quickly scan the area.

"Where's Jinx?"

Terra shyly looks away.

"It's alright." I sigh, "It wouldn't be the first time she escaped."

She bites her lip.

"What's wrong?"

"S-Sorry. I screwed up, didn't I?"

"Well..."

"I-I'm sorry. I'll get us out of here."

"Wait. These tunnels can't be too terribly stable. If we can get our bearings, we can get out of here. Where did you get that flare?"

"Um, there was this old emergency supply box. There's a maintenance station or something over there."

"Good. There should be a map in-"

I pause.

"Did you hear that?"

"What?"

It's faint, but...I hear crying. I walk towards the source-

"Wait!"

Terra...she's hiding something.

"I-I don't hear anything. The other's are gonna worry about us."

A staggered cough comes in the direction of the crying.

"Terra! Get me a flare!"

After a moment of hesitation, she retrieves a flare for me. In the dim light, I see...

"Jinx!"

What looks like a broken lever is sticking out of her side. A stain is growing around her prone form.

"Hold on! Terra, did you know about this?!"

"I-"

"And you were just going to let her die?!"

"Wh...what do you care?"

Eyes halfed closed, Jinx looks up at me.

"Ju...just another cr-criminal off the streets, right?"

I don't respond. I just focus on getting Jinx off the lever. I envelope her in dark energy and slowly lift her off. Once off, I quickly, gently lay her on her side

"Terra, hold her. I need to close the wound on both sides."

She lays down her flare and holds Jinx.

"S-She's right, you know."

Terra's careful not to look at me when she says that.

"Maybe we should let her die down here. It's not like anyone would know."

"We would know, Terra."

"Yeah, but...isn't she just going to cause more trouble if we help her?"

"B-Blondie's got a point, there."

"Don't talk, Jinx."

"Don't...don't tell me what to do."

Terra has to hold her firm as she starts going to a hacking fit.

"I told you not to talk. Why is no one listening to me today?"

"Raven, you know she's just going to go back to doing what she always does, and she's going to get someone hurt. Why should we bother?"

I look at Terra a moment. I wonder if she's really talking about Jinx.

"Ethics."

"Ethics?"

"Ethics."

Jinx chokes out a laugh.

"Ethics? What a...what a joke. N-No one really cares-"

"Did you see any duct tape, Terra?"

"F-Fine. Silent me. I-I'm at your mercy, after all."

"Getting worked up isn't going to do you any good."

"Quit telling me what to do!"

Jinx...is she crying?

"What do you care if I die down here?! I wouldn't care about you!"

The puncture wound finally closes. She lost a fair amount of blood, but she'll live.

"There. Done. Afraid I don't have a lollipop."

"Shut up." whimpers Jinx, "Just...shut up and leave me alone..."

"I-I have a lollipop."

Me and my unruly patient look at her.

"What, seriously?"

"Yeah. In my pocket. You want it, Jinx?"

Jinx stares up at her.

"What flavor?"

"Strawberry."

"Sure."

I go and look for a map. Hearing the sound of torn wrapping and a weak moan of satisfaction, I think it's safe to say Jinx is going to be alright.

"Looks like it's a long walk, but if we head right, we'll be close to the Casey Street station."

I hear a small whimper of surprise.

Terra's...carrying Jinx...

"Which way?"

"Uh...that way."

As I look down at Jinx, helpless and childlike in Terra's arms, I just have to smile a little.

"Tewl anyone abouw thish," she says with the lollipop in her mouth, "And I shwear, I'll kiwl you bowth."

"You'd sound a lot more threatening if you took the candy out of your mouth."

This certainly wasn't something I was expecting when I awoke this morning. Terra carrying a wounded, sulking Jinx. She's confidently holding her head up high, not worrying about anyone's approval.

I think you're getting the hang of this, Terra. I'm proud of you.