Paige and the Quest for Truth: Book 2 in the series

20

Chapter 20

They were standing in front of Kyle's book shop, in an awkward huddle. A broken girl, a crazy elderly woman, and a goblin who was definitely not a wizard clung to each other tightly, not wanting their adventure to be over.

Billie pulled away from them, smiling through shining eyes. "Alright you two, that's enough of that. This isn't goodbye. Stories are not erased anymore, we won, we saved the day."

Kyle swiped the sleeve of his hoodie across his eyes. "But Maude...I mean Billie...It sounds like this is goodbye. I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't want to lose you and Paige." His words were soft and came out in a whisper.

Billie stooped down and placed bother hands on Kyle's shoulders. "Kyle, my dear friend, I do not know all the answers, but I am pretty sure about two things. One, death is not the end, in fact, it may only be the beginning. Two, our Paige will never leave you behind. You have made a friend for life, whether you like it or not."

Billie placed a gentle kiss on Kyle's forehead, and turned back towards the ship, giving Paige a moment with her new friend.

He sat down on the steps, and Paige followed suit. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders and leaned her head against his.

"She's right you know" Paige whispered. "I won't leave. You are stuck with me now. You're going to have to share your Hot Pockets and everything."

Kyle laughed gently through his tears. "Promise"?

Paige nodded, smiling softly. "Yeah buddy, I promise."

He nodded. "Ok, you better come visit me soon, and bring snacks."

Paige laughed and hugged him tightly. She wished phones worked inter-dimensionally, but using her portal key would have to do. Maybe her non-wizard friend could magic up a way for them to communicate.

They sat there on the steps of the book shop until the sun was down, leaning against each other as the stars watched from above.