Everything Opposite

Chapter Thirty Eight: Epilogue

10 years later...

Ryleigh
Today is the day of the anniversary of the day ten years ago where doctors faked my death. I reflect on that time ten years ago, I don't remember much of that night. I woke up alone and my doctors told me I was lucky to be alive. My birth mother had tracked me down and shot me while I was with Alex. She managed a shot to my chest that caused my lung to collapse. If I had been one second later getting to the hospital then I probably would not be here today. I was sent into the Witness Protection Program as soon as I recovered. My mother had found the hospital I was in, it was better she thought I was dead. The police had no leads on my mother after that first week I was in the hospital and I wanted to ensure the safety of my family.

I've missed them so much. I'm not even sure they remember me. The doctors told them I had died. This was true, I died but luckily they were able to give me a blood transfusion and re-inflate my lung once they managed to revive me. Today, however, I'm headed back to Columbus. I was never too far away. The police finally tracked down and arrested my birth mother. All Time Low has been on breaks off and on. From what I can tell Alex has spent the last ten years blaming himself for my death and finding comfort drinking. Zack has been raising my daughter alongside Logan, Josh, and Debby. My brother was married now.

I stood inside of my apartment and took one last glance in the mirror. I was wearing a black All Time Low tank top with cut sides. A sports bra resided underneath. You could clearly see all of my scars, those self inflicted and those not. I didn't care anymore. I put earrings and studied myself. The inside of my wrist had tattoos and I had a nose ring plus several additional ear piercings. My hair was back to blonde, I had dyed it originally when I first went into the Witness Protection Program. My skinny jeans were dark and ripped.

I grabbed my small backpack that doubled as my purse. I locked the door with my keys and got in my car to go to the venue. I didn't have a plan yet because I'm supposedly dead I knew security wouldn't allow me inside the venue.

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Alex
Today is the day of her death. I can't say or speak her name. It hurts too much. I failed to save her. I failed to protect her. It's been ten years and I'm still not over her. She was too young to die. Clarity doesn't have her mother. Our label accidentally booked us a show in Columbus tonight. I took my free time to sneak off to visit her grave. I came by here often. I held a six pack of beer in my hands. I shouldn't get wasted before the show but I need to. I can't play in that venue without thinking of that dreadful night. I opened the gate to the cemetary and made my way to the grave shaded by a beautiful oak tree. I took a seat and cracked open a beer as I felt myself crying again. It never got easier.

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Ryleigh
I was driving by the tiny, quaint cemetery that I was supposedly buried in. Alex was here all the time as I had to drive by it to get into town for work. It wasn't an enjoyable job, I was a cashier at a local grocery store, but I needed money and it was too risky to return to music right now so I recorded myself at home in my freetime. I had written dozens of songs over the last ten years.

I found myself pulling over, parking on the street by the cemetary. I felt myself going back to that dreadful night. I could still feel the scar where the bullet had hit me and they removed it. I rubbed my hand over the spot, feeling a phantom pain I knew wasn't there. I turned the car off, grabbed my phone and the keys, and climbed out. I pushed my sunglasses to the top of my head and opened the small, creaky gate. I walked down the tiny gravel path, finding Alex underneath the shade of a giant tree. In front of him sat my gravestone.

"Lex!"I said softly, tears in my eyes. He jumped, startled. He looked up at me with wide eyes. "This isn't real. I must have drank too much again. You're supposed to be dead! You died! This is my brain playing tricks again,"he said. "Alex, it's me! I'm actually here. I'm not dead. I'll explain but please you have to get me into the venue first,"I said. "No, no, no, no, no,"he repeated over and over, pulling at his hair with his hands. "Lemme guess you're some fan look alike thinking you can get into our lives. Sorry, honey. But you can't replace her, you'll never be her,"Alex said. "Alex, I'm begging you to listen to me! Ask me something only Ryleigh would know,"I said, pleading with him. He furiously shook his head no.