Okay... so I have to go through the story and use the contextual clues to figure out what the ending is shaping up to be and how I can change it. If I want to change it. But, this is all theoretical: what if I brute force the ending? What if I force in the ending that I want? [ He narrows his eyes as he thinks about this. ]

That doesn't work in ordinary writing, in stories that aren't alive. Readers can tell if the flow is missing. And if this story is alive... that flow would definitely be missing. It has to fit in with the context, doesn't it? That only makes sense.

[ He ponders over this some more. ] So I have to write in an ending that works with the context and the existing story, and save Alice in the process.

[ He shakes his head. ]

I'm not a hero, I don't save people. But- I guess I'm going to have to try being one if I want this to work. And, for what it's worth, I wish that I could do something to help you too.

[ He pauses. ] Is there something that I can do? I know I'm not the guy people look to when they need help, but...

[ A flash of that resolve shows up in his eyes for the briefest of moments. ]

Covering my eyes and ears won't solve anything. I can't do that; I'm involved now. Maybe I don't feel like this is where I belong yet, but I can't just go back to pretending nothing ever happened, you know?

[ I can't say it because it feels too soon, but I want to stay with these people. With this Jesse, and the Jesse I know. Maybe I'll never see this Jesse again. Maybe I shouldn't. But I don't think I'll forget about her. ]

Maybe eventually, I'll find my place too, like you did.