Fears 3 - Journeys

Epilogue

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: BOTTLE

The five of us were met with a distant memory from our childhoods. We stumbled upon the old lake where we'd go and play when we were in high school. We had so many memories that we made there, so it was common sense to repay a visit.

Ten minutes later...

Pen was still sobbing incoherently from Tree's death. He stood in the middle of the water, just crying. He stared at his reflection with a blank stare. Barely any emotion was seen across his face and all that showed were his tears streaming down his face one by one.

All of us went by his side to comfort him as he was in such a state. Pen wasn't just sad. He was broken. He was broken in a way that none of us could imagine. Eventually, I felt a singular tear stream down my face as I watched everybody else hug Pen with compassion.

Our time at the lake wasn't too long, as it was starting to get cold out. After Pen calmed down slightly, we decided to go revisit some of our distant memories in the city we all grew up in. Goiky.

After some time walking, we stumbled upon the shops we'd always ride to when we were kids. I looked around and got a taste of the past. The alleyway Pie would sneak off to for smoking, Pillow's favorite coffee shop, even our old school. Everything was coming back to us one memory at a time.

We came across another store, where we stared at the window for a moment just to catch our breaths.

"We're here again, just all grown up..." Remote pointed out.

"Nothing lasts forever..." Lightning looked into the glass reflection of us.

Although it wasn't apparent, we all saw the same kids we were all the way back when we were young and dumb. Sure, it wasn't the present, but the past was something that you could always remember. Some good, some bad, it was all the past, and we all remembered it to the fullest.

When I glanced at our reflections, I saw the group we once were. All eight of us, standing next to each other, looking happier than ever on our bikes. I couldn't help but silently cry without the others noticing, knowing that the old days were over, and the only way I could go was forward in life.

FLASHBACK: 20 YEARS AGO

We were going to the shops once again. Any day hanging out with each other was a good one. All seven of us rode our bikes happily down the empty road. It felt good sneaking out of school, as we could do whatever the fuck we wanted without worry.

"Tree, your bike smells like your mom's v-" Pie was cut off by Liy.

"Shut up, Pie." Liy rolled her eyes playfully. He had to rent it out since his is being fixed. "Besides, what were you going to say?"

"It'd be best if we stayed off that topic," Pillow chuckled softly.

"Guys, the movie's selling out. We gotta grab the tickets while we can!" Remote excitedly jumped up and down.

"Remote has a point, let's go," Liy smiled.

We rode our bikes throughout the city, happy to be friends and together.

MODERN DAY

"Bottle?" I heard a voice from behind me.

"Bottle! We're going," Remote smiled.

"Oh, yeah right..." I embarassedly nodded.

ONE YEAR LATER...

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: LIY

"Thanks for helping me star in the movie, Remote. You killed it!" I smiled with joy as Remote walked off the set.

"Of course! I love helping you out," Remote smiled as she walked by and gave me a high-five.

"I'll be in the studio filling papers out. Call me over if you need me." I gave her a small hug.

"Gotcha." Remote chuckled before following it up with a kiss on the cheek.

I walked back over to the studio and started writing more parts to my book and writing some ideas down. That was until a friend of mine brought something in.

"Liy, you got mail," My friend smiled.

"Got it. Thank you!"

I took the envelope and decided to open it right then and there on the spot.

Upon taking the envelope, I got a call from my phone. Who was it from? None other than Lightning.

I answered the phone and Lightning instantly asked me something.

"You got the letter, right?"

"I did, why?"

I looked at the back of the envelope and saw a name that wasn't Lightning's.

"Fluffen?"

"Just read it," Lightning smiled on the other end.

I opened the envelope with caution and saw what was inside. It was a letter, written in crude, but legible handwriting. I read the top and knew what it was and who it was from. I started to read it out loud to Lightning, who was patiently waiting on the other end of the phone.

"Dear my most amazing friends and people in my life,"

"I know what this might seem like, but this isn't a suicide note. You're probably wondering why I did what I did, and if we weren't together if all of us alive weren't united, I knew for certain that we'd all die. I lived my whole life in constant fear of abuse and other problems that I had to come across... In fear of what would come next... I'm here to tell you. Be who you want to be. Be proud of yourself. Never ever let yourself go the way I did. Follow your own path to destiny... wherever that takes you. I'm asking for one thing. A promise. See the thing about being part of the group... is that you'll always have people to back you up. You have nothing to lose in general. Be true to yourself and live life to the fullest. Believe. Don't ever forget. We're all friends, and we always will be."

I started to cry as I read what Pillow was talking about. She didn't deserve to die. Right then and there, I heard Lightning hang the phone up, as I sat there, contemplating.

"Liy, I finished the acting script!" Remote walked in.

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: LIGHTNING

"That should do it..." I loaded the final box inside my car before looking back at the house I had lived at for so long. It was finally time. I was finding a new place outside of Goiky. I could forget all of the bad memories and focus on my new life.

I took one final look at my old place, before giving the front door one final touch and close. I walked over to my car, got in, and started the engine.

As I drove away, I watched as the city of Goiky got smaller and smaller. I knew that where I'd end up would be where I was destined to go. I knew Pillow was right. I had to believe in myself.

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: PEN

Going back to New York was going to be difficult, but the flight would be easier than I anticipated. Before leaving, I walked by the creek we would always hang out at. To my surprise, I saw the old sign that was there when we were kids.

I walked up to the sign and examined some shit on it, only to find old carvings that we made as kids. I saw a carving that Tree made. It was a faded drawing of our old initials inside of a heart. I picked a stone up off the ground and re-traced the lines, making the drawing stand out more. I looked at the sign with a smile, knowing that my friend was safe.

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: BOTTLE

The day was here. I arrived back at my old house, but there was one thing that was better. My old husband had left a while ago, and he left the house as it was. I decided the best life for me, was a life where I could relax and stick to my job.

Feeling content, I poured myself some water and sat on the couch, happy to be alive.

PERSPECTIVE SWITCH: BLACK HOLE

"Where's Tree been this entire time?" I looked at some old pictures. "Eh, he'll be back someday. I trust him!"

-

Boom! Epilogue done! I have so much to say, so I'll save it for the next page! :D