The Girl Who Was Broken and Gone

Epilogue

3 years later

Brielle had continued going to therapy for the last three years. She had found that it helped her cope with what happened, but she still wouldn't tell anybody close to her what had happened. Her therapist, Mrs. Lasko, is the only one that knows.

A lot has changed in Brielle's life in the last three years. For starters, her family actually pays attention to her. It was weird at first for Brielle because she wasn't used to it, but over time she realized that it was a good thing and so she accepted it and she joined in all of the family activities. Brielle has also graduated high school and decided not to go to college as of yet. Maybe she'll go in the future, but right now she decided to focus on herself and her family. After everything she had gone through, it made sense to take a break from school. She knew that she would never be one hundred percent okay. Nobody would ever be one hundred percent okay if they went through what she had gone through.

"Come on Noah, we have to go home," Brielle said, trying to pull Noah away from the ice cream section of the grocery store.

"B-but the ice cream," Noah said, pouting and looking up at Brielle with puppy dog eyes.

"We can get some next time, yeah?"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Noah. Let's go. I'm serious."

Brielle had had enough of Noah. He was acting up the entire time they were at the store because he wanted cookies and candy and anything else that highered his chances at getting cavities. She had caved in a couple times and put some of the items in their cart, but enough is enough. Brielle walked to Noah and picked him up, putting him in the built in seat of the cart. She then buckled him in when he started struggling.

"Listen to me okay?" Brielle said, sighing. "I'm tired and you're not helping. I already got you some cookies and candy. You do not need ice cream. Do you understand me?"

Noah's eyes were watering as he nodded at Brielle.

"We have to go home and then you can eat your yummy treats," she said, tickling Noah to cheer him up.

"Hooommmeeee," Noah yelled, causing Brielle to laugh. Brielle and Noah left the ice cream behind and they went to the registers. They waited in line and when it was their turn, Brielle placed all their items on the conveyor belt. Noah sat there, mesmerized as he saw the groceries moving forward. Brielle paid for the groceries and placed the bags in the cart. She then went to the front of the cart and pushed it until they got to the entrance of the store. She unbuckled Noah and placed him on the floor.

"Home?" Noah asked. Brielle smiled and nodded at him. She then turned around and began getting the bags from the cart. Once she had everything in her hands, she turned back around.

"Let's go h-" Brielle's eyes grew wide when she realized that Noah was gone. He wasn't where she left him. Her heart started beating faster and she started shaking, flashbacks from her past going through her head.

"Noah?!" Brielle called out. There was no response.

"Oh my god," she whispered shakily. She ran out the store.

"Noah!" she yelled again. People started staring at her. Tears were streaming down her face. She turned right and ran down the sidewalk, yelling Noah's name over and over again.

He wasn't to be found.

She then turned around and ran back down until she reached the entrance again. This time she turned left and ran, calling out for Noah. She then saw a little head turn towards her and she stopped, dropping the bags in her hands and sobbing. She ran to the bench where Noah was sitting in the lap of a stranger.