Stonebrook High School

Chapter 95

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There wasn't much to say to herself as she made her way back to the Stonebrook Convention Center. This was the first time since seventh grade that she would visit the site where it all happened.

Jess took a deep breath as she wandered through the familiar alleyways. It was all coming back to her — this was the spot where the twins had accidentally tore off Gabriel's disguise. That alley was where the sudden horde of Order opposition began to swarm them. Then, over there inside the convention, was where they escaped to after... after Reuben had surprised the crowd.

And then Aiden decided to take an irreversible step.

Her chest tightened as she thought about it. Even after reclaiming her memories, it's not like she could forgive Aiden for what he did, but she still wanted to be friends again, and to see if Aiden had a chance at changing for the better. Despite all that, it still hurt greatly. This was an indelible wound, a scar that had no chance at healing fully after all this time. Was she being naive in hoping that she could still be proper friends with Aiden after this drastic measure? She wasn't sure.

She turned the corner, her stray hairs flitting in the wind as cars zoomed past. This was a major street right next to the Center, constant traffic driving through in every direction. It was no wonder Jess and her brother had gone after Reuben... the fear of him darting into the busy road was immense, and they took the small chance of saving him over everything else.

Well, everyone knew how that played out, now.

Her eyes landed on the new signage placed around the intersection, bright and reflective colors everywhere. Slow and yield signs were in every corner, and pedestrian warnings plastered the street posts and traffic lights. All of this was placed after their major accident. The cityfolk had called for the local government to be more proactive in traffic safety after their bloody story made major headlines, and eventually, the citizens bullied the government into more funding for the area around the con center.

Jess had researched their accident while recovering in the hospital, desperate for any scraps of news that could reinforce what she was suddenly remembering. Perhaps she had looked for too long, too deeply, because now she knew much more than she wanted to remember — such as the videos of the sudden shutdown of the intersection with police in every corner, the photos of the ambulance gurneys stained with her brother's blood, and—

She forced herself to stop before the rabbit hole went any deeper again.

How was it this area was somehow untouched by the Witherstorm? Everything looked practically the same, except for the new details added over the last three years. For some reason, it made her irrationally angry, and she stood at the corner of the walkway with clenched fists.

The black-haired girl stared into the road, unsure what she was waiting for. Was there any real reason she came here? Was she trying to make amends for the past? Was she trying to make sense of her old self? The questions swirled in her mind and she held her head with gritted teeth.

"I miss you," she whispered to no one in particular. "I miss you so much. I'm so sorry we let that happen to you. I'm sorry your life was cut short. I wish you were still here."

There was no response. No quiet snorting, no soft oinks. It was to be expected, but it still hurt.

"... I hope you're not stuck here, in this terrible place. I hope you were able to be set free. Please don't stay here for us and live your life up there, in the sky with new friends. I love you lots, Reuben. Goodbye."