It hadn't meant to be a challenge. But there it was. She had been pushing him, and this conversation. She knew this could go very, very badly.

She just hoped if it did, none of her friends found her before she came back to life.

Aerith found herself taking a step back, and another. One more still until she found herself pressed against the wall, reminded of what those white coats had done. All the scars were in her mind and her nightmares.

And there was Collins, menacing and primed. Possibly for the kill.

Of course Aerith was scared. It showed in the way her hands pressed against the surface. But she didn't plead. Didn't stammer. She kept her eyes on his face, watching him.

Aerith, his challenger, was still. Waiting for the next word, and where the music would take him.