Chasing a Broken Butterfly

Chapter 32: Epilogue

They never caught the blue eyed man. I don't think they ever will. Kylie denies ever working with someone, but I think she's just trying to help cover up his footprints. He must've really meant something to her for her be bending over backwards for him. I told Officer Westmoreland about how I saw him that night at the hospital, but they found no traces of anyone being there, so they claim I must've been dreaming. I figured they must've been right. The police department ended up agreeing that they would have one of their men patrol my neighborhood for two months straight. At the end of the two months, there was nothing to report, so they let the case go.

In the meantime, my mom made me attend therapy to help get out any fear that might have built up in me because of this experience. I'll admit...it helped me somewhat. But what really helped me was my mom, Mikey, and Nathan. They were there for me and spent a majority of their time at my place. It's been eight months since everything happened. Apparently a lot can happen in eight months.

Mikey and Nathan hit it off again once Mikey was able to accept that he and I were better off as friends. My mom got to know Nathan more now that he had come over more often and she never failed to tell me that she liked him.

I ended up letting Nathan deeper into my past. I told him about how I grew up not knowing any sign language except for the alphabet. He then vowed that he would teach me what he knows and the rest we'll learn together.

I don't know if it was everything that had happened with Kylie that made me realize that life is too short to be afraid of being yourself or if it was Nathan's uncanny ability to open me up and make my true colors show, but my life since then has been unreal. I am able to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin when I walk out. I've learned that it's okay to be the center of attention every once in awhile. But most of all, I think I've finally learned how to love.

"Earth to Elle! Come on!"

I look over at Mikey and see him waving his hands in front of my face.

"Sorry!" I laugh.

"I swear, you've been daydreaming a lot more often now." Mikey teases me as he opens the passenger door for me.

I climb in and see Nathan in the driver's seat and kiss him 'hello'.

"Also, you guys better not be doing too much of that or else I'm gonna puke."

"Oh, be quiet!" I laugh at Mikey and swat him on the arm.

My mom comes running out and yells, "I packed you guys a lunch!" She hands me a mini cooler. "And you boys are responsible for my girl! Mikey, you're my official guardian. Watch over these two."

I roll my eyes, "Mom!"

Mikey just laughs and puts his right hand up on his forehead in a salute. "Yes, ma'am."

We say our last goodbyes and then Nathan puts the car into gear and takes off. Now that high school is over and everything that reminded me of Kylie is now gone, I can finally go out into the world fearlessly. With the two boys that mean the world to me in the same car and a beautiful, golden sunset to guide our wandering hearts, I can't imagine a better place to be.