NOT AGAIN!

***

{Outside The Projection} 

Just then, when Malik turned to face Jasmine, the projection had paused.

The moment that happened, the once silent hall broke out into chaos.

"Why—and I mean this from the depths of my soul—why the hell does it always cut off at the tensest part?!!!!"

"Stop with the fucking cliffhangers, Goddammit!"

"Is it some kind of sick joke?!" 

"This is psychological warfare!"

"Is it not showing her face on purpose?!"

"I swear if I ever meet the Arcanist who designed this damn thing…"

"It's her face!" 

A younger voice piped up, their tone bordering on desperation.

"It has to be something about her face, right? Some twist? A reveal? Like—like she's secretly—"

"Oh, shut up, kid."

An older woman cut in, rolling her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out of her head.