Holy. Fucking. Shit.
“Where are you, Runo? What is going on?”
“I had to get everything ready or as Finn would say, there was a plan. Come downstairs and I’ll show you.”
There was a split second between his words and the three of us scrambling for the basement door.
EPILOGUE
20 Minutes Before
RUNO
Nearly a decade in that stuffy little space as I to tried shield myself from the world hadn’t worked. The others believed that Finn separated himself from me so much so that he created an entirely new reality. The truth was that the real world terrified me as a kid. The voices and things that weren’t there had me confused. Doctor after doctor just said that imaginary friends were a part of growing up.
They never went away though. Dr. Harley mentioned that they’d grow stronger over time if I didn’t find a routine and stick to it which would include pills to dull those extra senses. Not wanting to medicate, I found something else—someoneelse. Finn. He became my best friend even if he was just another version of me.
We did everything together but the voices got worse. They beckoned. They threatened to swallow me whole so I soon crawled into my head and let Finn drive this boat to hell. Unfortunately, the voices followedmeinstead of Finn and the others. My little space flooded with people who weren’t real and realities that didn’t exist.
For nine fucking years, I found myself tormented by my own mind as I tried to push myself through the bars. Each time, I produced another version of myself that I thought would save me. It never did. I watched them fuck up the life I was meant for. So, I pushed back. Little by little, setting myself back into my life until I was ready.
I’m still not ready but now there are four of me to combat whatever the fuck is going on.
How did we not die from that accident? I saw pictures of the car.
Beats me.
“Couldn’t tell you either, guys. “ I blinked a few times, groaning as the dim light reached my eyes. It took me a few moments to remember where I was and even longer to understand that the continued groaning soundsweren’tcoming from me.
My gaze moved to the three individuals wrapped up nicely in the middle of Samael’s basement, all of them fear-stricken asthey stared at me. They were gagged and bound, unable to move or make enough noise to signal anyone other than me.
I only vaguely remembered snatching two of them. Well, no. I only snatched one of them. The other walked right up to me when I said I wanted to talk.
Because she still fucking loves Finn and was hoping to help him one last time. Then you showed up.
I grinned at that achievement, a low purr dragging me out of my head. Lucy rubbed against my legs and I eagerly picked her up, letting her rub against my chest. If I were to play the villain, all I would need would be a really,reallygood chair and a suit. All good villains had suits.
Already done, Runo. Look down.
I did, pleasantly surprised at the black and red attire, everything perfectly ironed and flattened against my chest. We had prepared well.
My plans were well done.
You had help.
I fucking loved having them here with me, enjoying these moments. It felt like having real friends but ones that would always be with me. My gaze darted to the three tied up again, admiring my handiwork. I hadn’t lost my edge. “Time to finish the plan, Finn. I’ll have to admit. This was a good one.”
Of course, it was.
I pulled out my phone and dialed my father, ready to start things in motion. It had taken three days to get everything together, three days to make sure that everything fell into place. It had to beperfector we were all going to suffer together.
“Finn?”
“Try again,” I purred into the earpiece.
“Runo? Fuck. No. Just… come home. Whatever you’re about to do, you don’t need to fucking do. We’ll talk to Dr. Harley. We’ll get the meds. We’ll—”
Our father continued to run through his spiel, promising us that we’d get better if we just came home. I knew from experience that I’d end up in a mental institution faster than I could say no. There was no point in returning, not now that I had everything back.
