- In the now: Nikki's mark keeps getting bigger. Cole shows up as Neal in her art class, and asks whether the mark has extended down her arm yet (it has).
- Nikki is so frustrated that she tries to make a deal with him after class: If he leaves her alone, she'll go with him right before the Tunnels come to claim her. But Cole can tell when she's lying, so it doesn't work.
- Finally Nikki tells Cole that she will never go with him. Pain shows on his face, which she wasn't expecting.
- Jack walks up, and Cole tells Jack what Nikki had been hiding: that the Tunnels are coming for her, and she won't be able to stay on the surface.
- Jack turns away and leaves—and though Nikki calls out that she's sorry about not telling him, he doesn't stop walking.
- Cole follows Nikki to her car. She asks why he keeps trying to make Jack hate her and he says that it's because people in love do stupid things.
- Further, Cole says that he wants her, and the only way for them to be together is if she becomes like him. As he steps in closer, Nikki remembers how good it felt to leave behind all her pain with him
- But then Nikki remembers that Jack never gave up on her while she was gone, so she can't give up on him now. She pushes Cole away.
- Nikki drives home, paces, thinks, and decides she needs to talk to Jack some more. She drives to his place, but his mom tells her that he's not home, and also to stay away from him.
- Nikki realizes that she can't stand the fact that Jack is out there but hates her. She has to do something about it.