“No, I mean… back to the Institute. I miss my friends.”I miss Charlie.
Mama and Daddy shared a glance, like they understood. I said my farewells, but they weren’t as hard to make as they’d been before. For some reason, my intuition told me I’d see them very soon… and I believed her.
Takahashi tapped on his wristwatch. He whispered something into it, and before us, a portal bloomed once again. Through it, I saw the stony walls of the Institute waiting to devour me.
They hadn’t, not since the day I’d stepped foot in that place, and never could.
Takahashi rolled me through the portal. Instantly, my family was gone, and the portal shut behind me as I inhaled the musty, stifling air of the Institute’s inner halls.
Hemlock was standing in the Institute’s entrance hall. Her mouth tilted downward as she looked at me, taking me in. “Oh, my dear.”
Hemlock knelt down to give me a hug. At first, I was surprised. Hemlock wasn’t the kind of person to show any sort of affection, but here she was, embracing me.
Hemlock didn’t talk about any kids she might have, so I hadn’t been sure up to this point if she was a parent. But her hold was one only a mom could give, and it was nearly as comforting as my own mother’s.
“It’s over now,” I said as Hemlock drew away. “I can finally move on.”
“Indeed you can,” Hemlock said, and she gestured forward. “Come along. Everyone’s waiting for you.”
Takahashi wheeled me behind Hemlock, who led us to her secret office. When we opened the door, everyone was still looking at the widescreen television anchored to Hemlock’s wall, which was playing the Hawkei News Network.
Heads immediately turned in my direction when I came in, and there were several cries of joy. I was immediately swarmed by a huge group of people, who were talking all at once. It reminded me of the noise that had been made when I’d woken up from my coma.
“Godsdamn, girl, you’re so brave,” Kallie praised. “Good for you, for telling your story.”
“He got what he deserved,” Marcus affirmed, giving a nod. “Nobody’s gonna miss him.”
Opal’s eyes were wet, and she wiped at them as she whispered, “Thank you, Ava. Watching you obtain justice… well, it was healing for me, too.”
Ivy was absolutely bawling. They didn’t bother to hide their outpouring of emotion as they screamed, “Precious, you did it! You got him!”
My lip wavered as I observed Ivy’s tears. I knew I hadn’t just gotten justice for myself. I’d done it for them, too.
Charlie took my hands in his and squeezed tightly. He leaned down to whisper, “I’m so proud of you, pidge.” Then he placed a gentle kiss on my lips.
I felt his emotions through our bond, and it was far more than he could communicate in words. Charlie had a way of clamming up when things got really emotional. Right now, he seemed overcome with pride that I’d had the courage to speak my truth, and relieved that it was all over.
Ez sat in a chair at the round table. His eyes were conflicted as I approached. “Hey, sis. I’m sorry you had to go through that. But I’m happy you got the outcome you wanted.”
“Thanks, Ez.” I paused, before I added sadly, “Sorry about Rosary.”
Ez scowled. “Iknewthat condom didn’t break.”
“Oh, Ez.” I felt myself sink in my seat. “Did you suspect Rosary cheated on you?”
“Not really, but I was definitely confused when she told me she was pregnant, because I knew we were being as safe as possible,” Ez admitted. “But I figured she wasn’t sleeping with anyone but me, so I thought the babyhadto be mine. Guess it’s just another lie.”
Opal wrapped an arm around him, and Ez gave a huff. “Anyway, that’s in my past. Guess we can all move forward with life now, right?”
“Absolutely,” I agreed. I knew that the dark memories of my past could finally be laid to rest. For a long time, I’d been afraid of John and what he’d done to me, but I wasn’t any longer. In the same way that I’d conquered the pain of my past, I knew that I could overcome my fear of the Warden.
I wasn’t afraid anymore. Not of the Institute, or the monsters that lurked here, or even the Warden himself. I’d conquered everything that had tried to tear me down, and came out on top. I’d had my funeral, and accepted the new woman I was becoming, laying the old me to rest. I’d fought back against the Warden by putting that video of his abuse out for the world to see, and I’d sent my rapist to prison to pay for his crimes.
The only thing to look forward to now was my future, and the life Charlie and I would create once we busted out of here, because once that potion was ready, we were breaking out.
As I’d done with everything that had attempted to destroy me before, I’d make sure to leave a trail of ashes behind me.
CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE
