Peace, once again. A feeling we’ve waited too long for.

And as I feel emotion and a warmth return to my body, after a constant stress of battle.

Fighting away, risking out lives.

Using every single second of training, saving each other. And most of all, everything builds up to this moment.

But even so, it’s a bitter-sweet result.

Ed’s with us physically.

However, mentally he couldn’t be more distant.

“How long do you think he’s going to last like this…?”

I ask, as the carriage that is wheeling us far away to a safe place continues on a rough road.

“I hope not long…”

Rob responds.

“It’s all my fault… If only I-”

Gaven responds.

“Shut up Gaven! Don’t do that to yourself! Or else we can all start doing that too!”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Rob nods along before he too inputs.

“Gaven come on, no one’s to blame for what happened… Anyone is going to be in his state after realising the person who tortured him for years is someone who he loved. Sure, it’s shocking to us. But imagine his world being broken like that!”

All the meanwhile, Ed is lying on the bench next to me, head tilting onto my shoulder. And I force myself to endure it.

Because if my shoulder can’t endure the pain, how in the world is my heart going to.

I try to embrace him, but he doesn’t respond.

I try to show him how much we care for him, and spiritually I throw my love at him.

But nothing.

Only a look in his eyes of shock – the thousand-yard stare. As if he’s still in that battle. Still confronting the disastrous reveal of Rodger’s face.

“Do you think Evie is going to be alright?”

Gaven asks.

“I mean… She has to go back, and I am sure she can’t figure something out… Afterall, she is fairly high ranking. And my sister!”

I laugh a bit and stop. It’s the first time in a while I’ve been this happy.

“I guess we’re now international criminals charged with terrorism, abduction and many other convictions waiting at our doorstep.”

“Woah, what do you mean Gaven…?”

I return a strange look.

“I mean, Ed is supposed to be this dangerous monster, and he was convicted of a life sentence. So having him now is technically abduction and terrorism. And not to take into account we are also liable for…”

He continues and slowly the atmosphere lights up. And we continue going back and forth like good old times. Until the carriage stops.

“Welcome to the Wisdom Kingdom!”

The person directing the carriage shouts as loud as possible and we barely hear him.

“Well… cheers to our new home as criminals on the run?”

And the both of them on the opposite bench fake a horary in a sarcastic, joking tone.

Even though things tangle on the verge of terror’s grasp, demise and end. I know in every knot, there’s always a way out.

We have to find a way.

And.

We will find a way!

The End