Love Conquers All _The Sequel_

Chapter Twenty Four - Forgiveness

Mary's POV:

I stand, dumbfounded, alongside Michael, whose arms are stiff and outstretched in the absence of Tex.

He turns toward me, a panicked glint in his eyes.

"W-What did I do?" He squeaks, his voice quiet and small.

"How should I know? I've never done what you just did!" I shout. I'm frustrated; Tex is gone, we don't know where he went or how or if he's still alive and I'm frustrated. So sue me.

Michael shakily pulls his arms inward and looks down at his hands as if he's horrified at himself. He gulps.

"Wh-Where did he go?" Michael stutters, his already soft voice even softer.

"I don't know - let's go back to the house and see if he's in there. We can also use Kim," I suggest, sighing and grabbing Michael's arm to tug him along.

He stumbles beside me, staring straight ahead, full of remorse and still in shock.

"I got too cocky..." He mutters in a pitiful tone. I roll my eyes.

"No, you didn't do it on purpose, it's fine."

"It doesn't sound like it's fine!" Michael points out.

I purse my lips to keep from freaking out.

"Michael, my cousin just disappeared randomly and we don't know how, we don't know anything and I'm scared!"

"Well I am too! I'm the one who did it!"

We're both yelling at each other now. I think back to the night where I first discovered I could fly, and I saw the two men fighting in the alley. I smiled as I imagined me and Michael's first fight, but I think we're fighting right now and it's not that great. In truth, I feel fiery, fueled my anger, but I tell myself to keep calm and wait for the solution to come to light.

We enter the house, me barging in and Michael tiptoeing beside me. He knows I am furious; Tex is the most important person to me besides Michael and this... This just isn't good.

I stomp up to Kim, who is sitting, wallowing in despair.

"What did you do?" I accuse immediately.

"What do you mean, besides plotting murder against Mr. Moonwalk-feet-dancer-guy over there?" She looks at Michael.

"Where's Tex?" I scream.

"I don't know, he went to go find you."

I turn away from her, my aggressive skin shedding, and slouch as I look at Michael.

"She didn't do anything," I say.

Michael's head drops in defeat, and suddenly a wave of sadness washes over me, and my body feels heavy.

What are we going to do?

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Tex's POV:

I know now that my time has come. The ever so enigmatic future has revealed itself to me, and many of my questions have been answered. I was supposed to be honored with a crown of blossoms but instead I am crowned with a coronet of burden and grief.

My eyes open and a realization so pure and great washes over me that it takes my breath away. I lie gasping for air. I don't think I'll ever be getting back to Neverland.

Where I am now... I've always thought of it as the final destination. I knew I'd be coming here, but I had no idea it'd happen this way... I guess I can't change it now.

I know I must wait. What I wait for I do not know... But there is nothing to be altered.

I sit on the cool quilt on the front of my lawn, breathing in the crisp night air... I lean back, my face becoming parallel to the swaying dark blades of grass. Memories and strange thoughts flood my mind of the time I dreamt this exact situation... Reminiscing. But that was before. Before we came to Neverland. Before my veins were filled with so much joy and happiness and good times, but also many questions and much confusion. Now I know I am going to cry the warm tears which will soon gather into a pool of isolation. I was alone, in the dreams. But not anymore.

Now,

I am alone.