Contents
CHAPTER 74: GIGI
Overview
Gigi spirals after learning Savannah accepted the Crucible, leaving her behind. Slate confronts Gigi’s denial and offers structured outlets—cry, train, or scream—while Knox physically and emotionally backs her. Gigi recognizes she isn’t alone and chooses all three, reclaiming agency amid the escalating stakes surrounding Savannah.
Summary
Reeling from the revelation that Savannah is the third Candidate and has accepted the Crucible, Gigi stalls on the tower stairs, unable to reach the keys or parse the letters A, J, K, and Q. She fights tears, insisting she is fine, but her body will not move.
Slate finds Gigi and gives her three concrete choices: the shower to cry, the shooting range to regain control, or the roof to scream. Gigi tries to push him away with sarcasm, but Slate refuses to leave, making it clear he knows her patterns and won’t let her avoid care.
Knox arrives, bristling at Slate, but stays to support Gigi. Slate defends his presence by citing the many nights he has watched Gigi give everything away to help others, underscoring that she never takes care of herself. The tension between the men centers on who can best help her, not on leaving her alone.
When Gigi again tells Slate to go away, Knox hoists her over his shoulder, repeating the question and urging a choice. Hearing Knox’s heartbeat and seeing Slate’s unyielding but gentle stance, Gigi realizes she is not alone despite Savannah’s departure.
Grounded by that realization, Gigi chooses all three options—crying, training, and screaming—signaling a decision to process her pain and regain agency while Savannah’s acceptance raises the stakes for everyone.
Who Appears
- GigiCrushed by Savannah’s acceptance into the Crucible; freezes on the stairs, then chooses to cope with support.
- Slate (Mattias Slate)Confronts Gigi’s denial; offers three outlets—shower, shooting range, roof—and refuses to leave her alone.
- Knox LandryArrives to back Gigi; lifts her and presses for a choice; challenges Slate but prioritizes Gigi’s needs.