After calming down his emotions by smelling the aroma of cooked food that is still lingering in the air, the group of 4 talked for 5 minutes. Fleshing out the new story of what happened today.

“I like that idea Mr. Blackfire. Having Josh join my daughter Aurora would easily explain why he was not in the crowd. All we need to say is that we made this decision without any of us knowing. We may take some backfire towards this though. haha”

The owners laugh quietly echo’s out

“I agree. Let's make the public happy by giving Josh’s family a reward? Like a lifetime of apples or free passes? We could hint to the public that we have a great relationship with each other? Perhaps old friends, or Mr. Blackfire and you used to work together?”

Aurora’s glances at Josh, judging if the little kid is fully understanding the conversation. After thinking for a bit, she drops down next to him and scoots next to him slowly.

“Let's say you were my adorable little helper? We met up in the maze and agreed that having a child interact with other children would be the safest option? We could say I was watching you from around the corner and protecting you the whole time?”

After she dropped down next to him and entered his personal space bubble, he glanced at her short, but very fitting blond hair. Getting a close up of her dark green eyes. A light confused expression went across his face

*What is she doing? Perhaps she’s trying to look less intimidating? Dropping down to one height level, to look less imposing is something people do, especially with children or people who get scared easily. Looking at someone taller than themselves is uncomfortable too*

“Hmm, then what do we say about Ellena? She was with me at the beginning of all this”

*So far this plan is sounding reasonable, I can think of a few plot hole thoughts. Other than Ellena, what about the other children who will swear that they didn't see Aurora? I was asking questions about her too*

“Don’t worry about that my son. She’s too young to be talking to the new reporters. But if this new story goes well there should be no reason for us to get involved anyways. I think you might still get some of the spotlight.”

Once Josh's dad says this, Office Jessica comes into view. She walks up to them and gets informed on the plan they will be telling the news

“That works, it covers most plot holes. We can iron out the rest later. However, I think Aurora and Josh should be interviewed together. Hearing from both sides would bring more credit to this. I’ll make sure the rest of the family won’t get involved.”

With that said, she glances at Josh

“I must say I'm a tad bit surprised. It looks like you have a good head on your shoulders. Keep this up and you may have a bright future ahead of you”

She then looks to the side of him, watching Aurora slowly getting closer to Josh, like she is trying to pounce a hug on him.

“Sigh, what are you doing Aurora?”

“I’m playing the part!”

A very cheerful laugh rings out

“If our family’s are gonna be old friends, then having us be close would only add more evidence to our story, besides, Josh hasn’t stopped me once yet.”

*I haven't stopped your weird fucking ass because I have an inkling of what you're doing. With how close you're getting to me, it's quite obvious what you're thinking. In these people’s eyes I’m a little brat. Having positive feelings towards her is a great way to get me to do what they want. One of the easiest and strongest ways to create positive feelings is through touch and invading their personal space a lot. For example, most sex friends become something more than just “friends with benefits.” All the physical touching and close contact confuses your brain with feelings like love and so on. I know because I used this strategy in the past. Love and other positive feelings are amazing ways of manipulating others.*

Officer Jessica looks deeply at Josh. Trying to read what exactly he is feeling or thinking. After trying for a few moments and getting no luck, she looks over at Mr. Blackfire. His eyes too, are staring intensely at Josh

“Well, I think we should end this now and meet up tomorrow. It is starting to get dark. How about the police station? We will be having our announcement at 10:00 am there. Let's meet up at 7:00 am? That gives us 3 hours to finalize everything.”

Josh then sits up and looks at Aurora, who is now within touching distance.

*If I’m right about her actions, then I need a little payback. Thinking that I’m some little kid. Well technically I am a kid right now. But I won’t go to far, she has good intentions”

After thinking for a bit, a sly smile forms on his face

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

*I have an idea, if she is gonna treat me as a kid, then lets try acting like an older brother to her. Hehehe*

With that though in mind, he pats her blonde head lightly. After feeling her stiff up, he then starts to gently rub his hand through her hair.

“I can’t wait to work together with you tomorrow! I hope everything works out. But most of all, I’m glad that you're okay and safe. I was so worried about you!”

Josh says this with a happy and worried look on his face near the end. With a slight shock on Aurora face, Josh struggled to keep his laugh in

*Well shit, your face is bringing out my trickster. Treating an adult as a kid is way more enjoyable than I thought! No, bad Josh, real it in.*

He then hears the owner’s and his father laughing.

“Haha, I say that's a great way to end this today, Thank you all again for everything. Here”

The owner hands Mr. Blackfire a piece of paper with numbers on it

“That's my personal phone number. I agree with my daughter. We should start acting friendly now. That way we won’t show any awkwardness tomorrow. Besides…”

He then glances at his daughter, her face going from shock to amusement

“I have a feeling we will be interacting with each other more from now on!”

“Haha, I agree. I have a good feeling about this new friendship!”

Mr. Blackfire say’s with a sharp glint in his eyes as he keeps staring at Josh.

With a final way goodbye, Josh and His father leave the others behind. They start walking to the parking lot

“My son, I don’t know what happened to you today, but…”

He looks at Josh with a glint in his eye

“Your mother is going to kill you. It was nice knowing you son.”

He glint is replaced with humor

“You dumped your sister into her arms then ditched them both. You have no idea how pissed she is right now. You're lucky that she had to take care of your siblings. However, your ass is screwed. In fact, I felt the same way as her but…”

He then glances back at him, as the car gets into view

“You have grown, matured. At first I wanted to join your mother and give you an ass whooping. But now I’m super excited and proud with you. I’ll save you today. When you get into the car, go to sleep as fast as you can. I’ll talk with her and attempt to reduce your life sentence. But don’t expect much from me.”

*God FUCKING damn it! I completely forgot about that! I’m still her baby boy after all. If I was her and my kid did that, I would have beat the shit out of them!*

Josh looks at his father, respect and gratefulness in his eyes

“Thanks dad. I owe you one. I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me but when I saw others in danger I couldn't stop myself”

*This is not a lie. I don’t know when it started, but when I see others in pain or need help, I can’t stop myself from getting involved to those who deserve it*

His father stops, crouches down, and Hugs him tightly

“You have no idea how proud that makes me to hear. I would have never said this before, but I was concerned about you. You were always shy and had no backbone. Did you know that today was the first time you actually had a normal conversation with your siblings?”

*What?? That can’t be true is it? I….don’t remember actually.*

He attempts to deeply he search his memories, but the more he searched the more confused he got

“In fact, I don’t remember much from my childhood….If I didn’t relive this memory, I would have completely forgotten all about it. Even then I don’t remember any minor details….Well that’s slightly concerning. Why are my memories such a blur? Yet again, I’m like what, 10 in this memory? I am about 28 years old after all. Forgetting my childhood is normal.*

“Now, let's go over the plan to save your ass real fast.”

With a quick nod, Josh listens with great focus on every word coming from his fathers mouth. After a minute, he nods. Fully understand the mission

“Good, now one more thing. When it’s just you and I, you are allowed to cuss, as long as you don’t rat me out, then I won’t rat on you.”

They stop having a father son moment and walk closer to the car. His dad giving him a wink before rushing towards his wife. Hugging her with extreme force and planting a massive, deep kiss on her lips before she has the chance to speak

“Haaa, I know we went through a lot today. But I’m slightly grateful for it. Josh manned up the first time in his life and….”

His voice trails off, before staring deeply in her light blue eye, a smile full of love threatening to form on her lips. He then planting another deep kiss, full of passion

“It made me realize just how perfect you are. In the face of all this you were an amazing mother, you kept yourself together with our kids. I’m so lucky to have you”

As he was planting his kisses, his left hand waved Josh in, giving him the go to enter the car. Josh quickly entered the backseat quietly, afraid to wake up his siblings. In the car he stares at his parents lovely-dovely moment

*Wow, they look so happy. In all my life, I rarely see this anymore. The future is so fucked with relationships. Divorce rate is up to 60% in some states. I’m almost jealous really. I wonder why they stop being like this? Is it when Jared “fell”? Or is it just something that happens to every couple?*

His thoughts get distributed when Ellena falls on his lap in her sleep, curling up on him. A smile on her lips as she hugs her new stuffed lion strongly.

*Whatever the reason why, after re-experiencing all this, I wish I was really here. I may not regret my life choices, but I would like to change some things up. What dad said really bothered me.*

Josh goes into deep thought again. But this time over what his dad said right before he got in the car.

*This was the first time I acted like an older brother to them. The first time I ever had a normal conversation with the both of them.*

With this thought lingering in his mind, he closes his eyes. The doors open and the engine starts. Soon after, the car starts to move. The flashing red and blue light gets farther away. Darkness starts to overtake his vision. The relaxing movement of the car brings a wave of sleepiness

*Looks like it's finally time for me to go. I can’t stop myself from falling asleep. Even though things went weird in this hallucinating dream, I really enjoyed and needed this. Being with my family. Making my dad proud of me for the first time. Actually doing some good and getting thanked for it for once…If I wake up. I want to meet my family. My shitty brother, my cold sister. Even mom and dad. I can handle the disappointed look now. I’m…..no longer a child*

With this last thought going through his mind, he allows the sleepiness to fully take over. Ready to either wake up in some hospital bed, vowing to make a change in his current lifestyle or face the gates of hell. But instead of seeing either of those, the messages appear with a very pleasant feeling. Like someone is running a hand through your hair.

[Congratulations! The tragic outcome was avoided!]

[As a reward, you may pick one!]

[Original memory restoration]

[Or]

[POV memory view]