The king of everything

Chapter Twenty nine- A new begining

The cemetery was quiet, the morning air cool as I walked toward Sam's tombstone. I hadn't been back here since the funeral, but now that the demon was gone, it felt right to visit him. The weight of everything we'd been through still lingered, but today, there was a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.

I stood in front of Sam's grave, the freshly cut grass rustling beneath my feet. His name was etched into the stone, a permanent reminder of the friend I'd lost too soon. A surge of emotion welled up in me—grief, gratitude, and something like relief. We had done it. We had actually done it.

Taking a deep breath, I crouched down, resting my hand on the cool stone.

"Thank you for believing in me, Sam," I said, my voice steady but quiet. "We did it. We actually did it. We defeated the demon. It's over now."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, I could almost feel Sam's presence. The memories of us laughing, arguing, making plans for the future flashed through my mind. I wished he could've been here to see it, to know that his death hadn't been in vain.

"I wish you were still here, man," I whispered, my throat tightening. "But I'll make sure your memory lives on. I'll live the life we both wanted. I promise."

A soft breeze swept through the cemetery, as if the world itself was acknowledging the weight of the moment. I stood up, letting the peace of the place fill me. This chapter of my life was closing, but I knew that Sam would always be with me.

---

That week, I was ready to make my academic comeback. The demon was gone, the weight on my shoulders lifted, and now it was time to face the real world again—the one where exams, deadlines, and responsibilities waited for me.

I hadn't been back to school in what felt like forever, but walking through the familiar halls of campus, it felt like no time had passed at all. Everything looked the same, yet everything felt different. My make-up exams loomed, but for the first time, I wasn't afraid. I had faced something far worse than a bad grade, and I had come out on the other side.

The exam room was quiet when I walked in, a few other students scattered across the desks, all focused and nervous. But I felt calm, ready. I sat down at my desk, took a deep breath, and picked up my pen.

I wrote with a clarity I hadn't had in months. The questions seemed straightforward, my mind sharp and focused. It was as though everything I'd been through had somehow prepared me for this moment. When I finally finished, I handed in the paper and walked out of the room, feeling lighter than I had in ages.

---

A few days later, Hope and I stood outside the movie theater, laughing as we debated which film to see. It felt surreal to be doing something so normal, so mundane, after everything we had been through. But it was exactly what I needed—a reminder that life could go on, that there were still simple pleasures to enjoy.

"I still think we should see the action movie," Hope said, grinning at me. "You owe me after making me watch that horror flick last time."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Fair enough. I'm up for anything, as long as it's not about demons."

She smiled, but there was a softness in her eyes, a shared understanding that went beyond our words. After everything that had happened, we were closer than ever. Hope had been there for me when I needed her most, and now, standing here with her, I couldn't help but feel grateful.

We bought our tickets and made our way inside, the theater dim and cool as we settled into our seats. As the lights dimmed and the movie started, I leaned back, letting the moment wash over me.