Ihaan gasped as the realization sank in. So, it was he who chose to die after that accident? Now he knew why Ro wanted him to head to Red Squirrel Lake. It was so he could find his destiny at the place where he became the Ghost of Ontario. His destiny was to reunite with his mom as an older, wiser individual.
At the same time, Ranger Kate understood why Amelia hurt him. She wanted her to see that Ihaan was her son who went missing years ago. The only way to do that was to give proof of the injury that killed him. Unfortunately, that still did not answer the question of who she was.
She hopped down from the ledge and slowly approached Ihaan and Kate.
The Spirit Animals moved aside to let her through. Each one bowed to her as if she were a queen.
Ihaan and Kate approached each other. The storm started to subside around them. A faint ray of sunshine broke through the clouds, covering them in a mystical white light.
Mother and son took each other by the hand and let the message sink in that they were family.
Amelia, who stood beside Ihaan’s left arm, pulled the necklace off her neck and offered him the leaf whistle back.
Ihaan accepted it and grinned.
Before he played it, Amelia rested her hand on Ranger Kate’s shoulder. “Kate, you understand if you leave this forest, you may never see him again, right? Therefore, you have a choice. Do you want to return to Camp Wanapitei or become one of us?”
“Who-Who are you?” Ranger Kate asked one more time.
“Ah, I should probably tell you. I think you are ready now.” Ranger Amelia backed away from Kate and Ihaan. Her body started to give off a faint shimmer. “My real name is Johniela. I am the Guardian of the Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park and have been for as long as I can remember. As Guardian, I protect the Spirits and animals who reside here.”
“Then why did you take on that temporary form?” Kate asked.
“It’s the same reason why Ro sought out your Ihaan. The time has come for you two to be together again,” Amelia answered. “I’ve got to say, I think I pulled it off pretty well, pretending to be a woman scared of the Ghost of Ontario. What do you think?”
Ranger Kate chuckled. “You did more than enough. You brought my son home, and that’s all that matters.” She and Ihaan closed their eyes and bumped foreheads.
“So, I’m assuming you're choosing not to join him?” said Amelia.
“Not today. The Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park is his home. It’s not mine.”
“Well, let’s at least send you off with a bang.”
“What are you going to do?”
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