V.I.R.A.L

Chapter 117: Jinxed Part 3

The heat only increased in intensity as the Jungle was burning to a crisp. The ravine was clocking up with lava as Alton and Jinx floated in the balance each passing moment, bringing them closer to their demise. Even so, one thing was for sure. Alton wasn't going to give up so easily.

"Let me go."

"What?" Alton whispered, feeling his body topple forward as the dried-up blood was cracking. "You've got to be shitting me."

"If we keep this up, both of us will die. Whether or not you care to doesn't bother me. This isn't to save you; I just want you to let me go. What's it going to be hero?"

Alton chuckled, shaking his head. "Knowing you Jinx you really mean that… This isn't the way of doing things. Giving up before the final bell. We aren't done yet."

Jinx sighed, lowering her head. "I am. My time is up, the powers from the trials are used up. I'm done. Please at this current moment let me die as Jinx Montague. I want to be me in my final moments."

Alton refused to let go as he kept trying to pull Jinx up. "Look I didn't risk my life jumping down here just to watch you die. Just cut me a break and work with me… Please, Jinx."

Jinx looked down at the lava blankly. She tried slipping from Alton's grip, but he fell even further holding on tight. "I know what you are trying to do Alton. Zinnia has rubbed off on you too much. The hero persona doesn't suit you. I am not in any position to be saved. My existence has brought nothing but pain to all those around me. Monty lost his mother because of me. People have been tormented and suffered because of me. I am nothing more than a Jinx to this world; I even went as far to allow myself to be consumed by the Garden just to run away from that fact. But now I know you can't run from who you are. If you want to be a hero Alton let me go, the world will thank you for it."

"Yeah, you're probably right. In that case…" Alton let go as the two fell. Jinx instantly grabbed onto the side as the two switched spots, Jinx, holding onto Alton as he was hovering over his doom.

Jinx was shocked as she was struggling to hold Alton. "What the hell are you doing?! I said let me go not let go altogether."

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Alton stared up at Jinx blankly as he was swaying over the peak. "You wanted to die because you see yourself as nothing more than a curse correct? Well, truth be told then we should see both falls. You want to know the truth; I tell you the truth of who I am the truth which I can't face. I killed my mother. I claim it was my father's doing, but that's a lie. That was me, not just her but my friends too. I've killed so many people, and I have to live with that for the rest of my life never being able to forgive myself for that crime. Every time I close my eyes, I am reminded of the heinous crimes I've conflicted, the monster I forever am. From as long as I can remember, I was never afraid of monsters. Children would be scared of the monster under the bed or in the cupboard I was always different because I knew deep down the only monster was me. As I live, there's always a chance that monster comes out from under the bed to play. The monster of the Garden who caused the destruction of Sunset Peak and can quite easily spell the end for the rest of Victoria. But know this Holly who we were doesn't define who we can become. I am working every day to make sure those events never play out again. I am putting the monster to rest. Can you do the same?"

Jinx stared blankly at Alton as she felt a tear run down her face. "I? I don't know."

The ground continued to shake as Alton was moving around, trying to stop himself. "The choice is yours, Jinx! But whatever you choose, we do it together. Either you let go and free us both or we climb back up and change our destiny for good. I'll respect either choice. So, what is it going to be?"

Jinx held on tight thinking back as her childhood memories came back, the ones she lost for so many years. But this time she didn't feel pain or anger by them but peace. Peace of mind that she was happy to relive them, even after the Garden's corruption one thing didn't change. They want to be someone better. That was all she needed. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she began climbing back up the cliff holding onto Alton with her life. As she made it to the top, she used all her strength to pull him up as the two climbed up and back to safety. Both were exhausted but more alive than ever. "I remembered the day I was born. I know it doesn't make any sense, but I somehow remember it… Maybe it's the Garden's doing, but I can remember my mother like she was there in front of me. Her beautiful blonde hair and navy-blue eyes. But the one thing that stood out to me was her smile. She didn't see me as a curse—the only person to see me as a person. I'm going to make sure I live the life she would want me to live. A one where she can be forever smiling on the person I become."

Alton was gasping still shaking. "That's good… Fuck for a moment I honestly thought you were going to drop us."

"Wait you didn't want to fall?"

"Hell no! Are you crazy? I had no intention of dying! I was just hoping the extreme leap of faith would give you the courage you needed to pull through. I'm bloody glad I'm right; otherwise, that would have been a shitty way to go…"

Jinx laughed, shaking her head. "You are sure something Alton. I guess I owe you an apology."

"Save it. I'm not looking for one." He winced, pulling himself up. "So, what should I call you now?"

She thought for a little while before shaking her head. "I'm still going to go with Jinx. Jinx Holly Montague. You, Alton, are one crazy son of a bitch can I say. Where did you get that heroic nature from? Zinnia?"

Alton shook his head, looking at the lava smiling faintly. "No, I got it from someone else…"

Jinx manage to stand up as she wiped her mouth. "The way I see it this contest is as good as yours. Don't go losing on me now or I will never forgive you. I give up."

Jinx was teleported out, giving her points to Alton as he flipped the card around. "Like I want your forgiveness." Watching the jungle on fire for a little while longer, Alton decided to move on walking through the portal to the next region. He smirked, finding himself near the ocean. Seagulls were flying over, screaming at the sun as the soft brush of waves crashing against the beach. There was nothing much of interest around apart from what seemed to be a sunken ship and an abandoned lighthouse not too far away. The breeze of the ocean washed against Alton's face as he took a sigh of relief, finally finding a place which he could easily take advantage of. Checking his points once more, he glanced over how many streamers were left with a little over half defeated. He let out a small laugh seeing Gale already out, thoughts already rushed his mind into how he was going to rub it in. His eyes met with Zinnia's profile as he scratched the back of his neck. "I wonder what you're up to Zin…"

The peaceful ocean sight was interrupted by loud yells and the crumbling of the ground. Alton heard this not too far from him as a threatening voice boomed as well a sighting a giant floating boulder. "No one will stop me, not you, not the CEOs. Not even Alton Brantley and his dysfunctional allies either."