Nep's shock hits her like a punch to the nose, but Terezi ignores the spasms in her bloodpusher and continues talking, trying to keep her voice calm, even though she's shaking all over. "I made a bet with her, knowing I'd lose. When she turned to leave, I stabbed her in the back." It feels so heavy to say, bitter and final on her tongue. She wants to spit it out, swallow the words and lock them up in the bone cage of her chest where they can't escape again, but she can't unsay it; can't unlive the truth.

"It was the only option," she insists quietly, feeling the need to defend herself. "If I hadn't stopped her she would have gotten everyone killed. I saw it, and I couldn't let it happen.

"So I killed her." And spent the rest of the sweep suffocating under the guilt and regret.