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The danger was far behind them. She knew that. For the first time in a while, Kelly had time to sit and ponder. Slumped against the wall, knees pulled to her chest, she glossed over everything that happened in the past week. Seven days full of death, pain and suffering. The gruesome imagery of her fellow companions falling into a death cycle will forever remain lodged inside her memory, as will her grief.
But she survived.
Deep down, Kelly had a feeling her comrades were with her the whole time, even after they passed. Some of the events she and Leon faced were impossible. Humanly impossible, at least. She liked to think they planted ideas in her head when they got stuck on something, or gave her the physical strength to pull through. Since they didn't make it, they for sure wanted their youngest detective to live. When asked the why part, it came down to a simple fact: Because she deserves it.
Kelly is still young, after all. Anyone she's been partnered with were much older and more wise. They taught her so much in a span of three years, which can change a person in such a short period of time. And it's because of their knowledge and experience that they didn't die in vain. It's the whole reason why she's still here. The reason why she gets to reunite with her family again. The reason why she gets her second chance at love.
All of these emotions overwhelmed her to the point of breaking down. Every little feeling she swept away presented itself in the form of tears, freely flowing down her cheeks. At long, long last, she was free from this hell.
"Are you okay?" A small voice belonging to a child asked.
Kelly raised her head to be met with Sherry; her glistening blue optics showing her concern for the detective.
"Yeah, honey. I'm fine," she reassured her, a small grin appearing to back up her statement.
"But you're crying."
Kelly continued to smile at the girl. "I'm not crying. I mean—I am." She brought her hand up to wipe away her tears. "But I'm not crying because I'm sad, I promise. I'm okay, really. Thank you."
Sherry shared the same grin. To her right, Leon sauntered toward them. His eyes fixated on Kelly momentarily before bringing his attention to the blonde girl.
"I can take it from here, Sherry," he said to her. "Thanks for looking after her."
Again, she beamed at him. As he got himself situated next to the young woman, Claire wrapped her arm around Sherry, gently pulling her away.
