The Girl Who Couldn't Kill

Chapter 23-Closure

The morning rays of sunshine peered through the blinds of the school nursery. As Rory's eyes flutter open to view the world around her, she inhaled the fresh aroma of her lavender-scented bed sheets. On her nightstand, there was a card that said To: Rory and a box of her favorite Kinder chocolates, courtesy of Autumn perhaps, Rory was glad that her friend wasn't the evil killer she had thought she had been.

Rory moved her pillow and sat up on the bed, her head feeling lighter than usual.

How long had she been awake?

"Sleep well?" A voice said from beside her.

"AHHHHHH—" Rory screamed, only to realize that it was Ajax, sitting in on a stool with a fresh on the side of his jaw. "Oh, it's you. Why didn't you make a sound??"

"The question is, how did you not notice me?"

All of a sudden, Rory felt exposed, "Were you watching me sleep?" She said terrified.

"No no no. I was reading my magazine, I didn't even pay that much attention to you at all." He blushed and scratched his head.

Rory allowed her chest to rise and fall as her memories started to flood back. "How long was I out?"

"About 2 days."

"2 days??? You gotta tell me what happened. Are you okay? Is everyone alive? Where's Officer Hong—"

"Rory, calm down it's okay. It's been taken care of...well for the most of it."

"What do you mean most of it?" She demanded.

"Well when you passed out when your blood was lost, Officer Hong came just in time to capture Noel. But Chrome escaped. Apparently, he had a bunch of gadgets and 3D-printed masks so it's been really hard to catch him. He might already be out of the country." Ajax sighed. "The good thing is that the police released Autumn."

"That's good." Rory gave a weak smile. She didn't have the energy left in her to worry about Chrome, as long as he is out of the country for good, she was content for now. The justice outside of the country was out of her control.

"Don't feel discouraged Rory." Reading her mind instantly. "What you did was beyond brave. I'm just glad you're okay, or else I would never forgive myself for not being able to help you." He didn't say the word 'protect.' because he knew Rory was capable of handling herself, she didn't need Ajax's protection.

"Yeah. But what if he starts cloning actual criminals? What if he plans to start a war." She said while brushing her short hair aside.

"That's not within our control right now. Rory, don't worry about the things that have yet to occur." Ajax offered.

"You're right." She gave a grateful smile that melted Ajax into honey.

"Rory?"

"Mhm?"

"There's actually something I've been meaning to tell you." He said nervously. "I really like you, Rory."

For the first time, Rory followed her heart to guide her response, "I really like you too." It was true, her heart had grown fond of the presence of Ajax. "But I can't be with you."

Ajax was not completely shocked but still, it stung his confidence. "I know." He accepted his defeat.

"No. Let me explain. I don't think I'm ready to maintain anything that will last right now that would satisfy you. I'm still discovering who I am, and until I do, I believe I should focus on myself. I am not asking you to wait for me, I will not burden you with that request." The words that came out of Rory's mouth hurt equally as much as the discomfort Ajax felt. "I hope you understand, I'm sorry."

"I don't understand but I'll try to. But I don't think we should be friends either, it'll be too much for the both of us to handle." Ajax stood up to leave, nose stinging.

"Mhm yeah." Rory was disappointed because she wanted to be friends still, but she understood what Ajax meant. "I guess I'll see you around occasionally, thank you for coming to see me."

Ajax smiled back at Rory for the last time, "Of course, Rory," and left the nursery. They both shed quiet tears in secret but decided that this was the best decision to move forward. With everything that had happened in the past week, both of them had to climb back on their own personal mental health and studies.

This was not their Goodbye. This was only the start of their new journey.