The Unthinkable Betrayal

Create a scene in which a trusted ally is revealed to be a traitor just before the climax.

This twist throws both the protagonist and the reader off guard, raising the stakes even higher for the impending climax. This prompt encourages exploration of topics such as distrust, treachery, manipulation, and resilience. It also asks, how does the protagonist handle the sense of betrayal? How does it shape their actions in the climax?