Jonathan stood atop the Roosevelt Bridge watching water churn below. His breath fogged in the cold air. He closed his eyes.
One jump.
Just fall.
Just die.
He stepped forward.
Wind roared.
Water rose up.
Then—
Switch.
The Captain snapped awake inside the same body.
He twisted midair, tucked his limbs, and angled his fall.
He hit the water like a spear.
Three seconds later he breached the surface, gasping, calculating the currents.
He swam to shore, climbed out, and walked home barefoot in the dark.
Jonathan woke drenched and freezing.
"Why won't you let me die?" he whispered.
The other side of his mind—the silent Captain—did not answer.