The Fire Inside

42. A Fork in the Road Doesn't Mean Farewell

"Casper?"

Dakota watched as her twin brother walked through the mansion doors with Jimin, Casper in tow. Behind them emerged Heiwa, Maria, Varun and Emmalynn. She stormed forward and slapped him across the face.

"Where's Riley and Isadora?" Dakota asked her brother with a slight frown.

"Well, you see...Riley didn't make it, Ducky," Julien's eyes trailed to the floor.

Dakota let out a gasp.

"You're kidding right?"

"Lynn, show her."

Emmalynn came forward and brought the locket of ashes in front of her.

"No, we're not."

"A-And Isadora?"

Jimin let out a nervous chuckle, "Well you see, Isadora had been injured, but we needed an easy way of getting back so she had to change back to her fox form. She's outside waiting for the effects to wear off."

"And you! What the hell did you do! Don't tell me Riley's death was your fault!" Dakota picked him up by the front of his shirt.

Casper looked up at Dakota weakly, "I-It's not like that. I-I don't know what really went through my head. I'm sorry..."

Casper jolted as he felt a sharp pain sting his left cheek.

"Dakota!"

"Now you're forgiven. And I expect a full recap," Dakota huffed making eye contact with Jimin.

Jimin giggled before following the twin into the library.

"Ezra, make sure the rest are safe and ok!" Dakota hollered before pulling Jimin into the room.

"Hey."

"Ezra! Wassup man! How've you been?"

"Fine."

"Right...So what are we doing with Casper?"

Ezra looked at the beat up man and walked forward. Casper braced himself for the blow but was surprised when he was met with a bear hug.

"What the hell did you do, man? You could've talked to us. We would've helped you."

Casper opened his eyes and stared at his past companion with unshed tears, "I-I'm so so sorry!"

Julien and the rest of the group watched silently as the once keeper of the hell fire broke in his friend's arms.

~~~~~

"What the hell you saying?! Casper wasn't in control?!"

"Dakota, first calm down. And yeah, Hope let us know that the flame of hell has a tendency to go rogue and become uncontrollable. It wasn't Casper's fault he was went berserk. The flame just fed his negative emotions while mine helped me find positivity—for the most part."

"And what about the flame now? What're you gonna do about it?"

"Me? Nothing really. Casper finally was pulled away from the negativity enough that I think he can counter the energy with a more healthy and positive approach. I'm hoping you can help with that."

"How so?"

"On the way here, Julien and I may have discussed settling down..."

"WHAT?!"

"Yeah, and Maria, Varun, and Heiwa are planning on going back to traveling around as a little band of fighters," Jimin chuckled, "Emmalynn and Isadora might stay here though."