My mom picks me up from Lucy's house. She hugs me tighter than I've ever been hugged by her before and asks me a million questions I'm too tired to answer. I just beg her to take me home so I can finally get some sleep. She obeys and we leave the entire scene behind.
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRmdNQOfxfR
When I enter my room, I don't care about closing my door as I tackle my bed. It's over. It's finally over. Lucy is in custody and soon the truth will be revealed. I can rest now.
Someone rings my doorbell. God da—I can't catch a break. I'm not getting up for it. My mom will get it. 159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxclL7Hs7Y7
I hear my mom talking with someone outside, then I hear a pair of quick footsteps ascending the stairs.
Delilah storms into my room and when she sees me her eyes begin to well up. She leans against the door frame and looks towards the ceiling holding her chest. She then pushes herself off the threshold, crawls into bed, and embraces me; her warm body melting into mine.
"Hey, gorgeous," I breath, holding her head. She lifts her head up and her lips meld into mine; a kiss so soft it breaks my heart.
When she pulls away she says, "I thought she was going to take you away from me."
"She could never do that. I'm not going anywhere."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She leans her head into my chest, takes a long deep breath then sits up on my bed.
"I imagine you have a million different things to tell me," she says.
"Yeah. It's been a crazy three days. But Lucy's arrested now. So—"
"It's over..."
Her ocean eyes interlope with mine, "Yeah. I think so," I say.
The doorbell rings again. I cock my head at Delilah.
"I sorta told everyone else you're back," she says with a sly smile, showing those cute ass dimples in her cheeks.
Squid enters the room first, their eyes widening as they run up to me and hug me while I'm still sitting in bed. Daniel enters behind soon after, a grin on his face.
"Welcome back bro," he says, leaning in the doorway.
It's over. It's really over. Finally, I could go back to a normal high school life with normal high school friends.
But then I remember there were a few loose ends. One: I never learned who "My Protector" was. Or who was in cahoots with Lucy. And the big event that was going to happen at Hawkins.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADha7kSkOc
"Squid, did you get any more information in your investigation?" I ask them.
"Investigation?" Delilah asks. Daniel shifts in the doorway and we're all now staring at Squid.
"I—um—sorta been spying on all of you guys," Squid admits, "Trying to figure out what's going on at Hawkin's lately."
"What the fuck, Squid?" Daniel says.
"And you knew about this?" Delilah asks me.
"The day you came to give me the new phone was the day Squid told me about their investigation. The reason I didn't tell you is because I wasn't sure if it was you who killed Matthew."
"I guess that's understandable," she says, "But Squid you spied on us? That's a little creepy isn't it?"
"I know I know—I'm sorry—but I have discovered something," Squid starts, "Lucy was planning something."
"What was she planning?" I ask.
"Well, when I was on my trip with my dad, my dad wanted to stop by this old firework store he always raves about when he drives by it. But when we went inside, most if not all of their merchandise was gone. When we asked where it was, they said a girl with pale skin, red hair, and red eyes came in and bought everything."
We all look at each other. Lucy must have done that way before the time she spent with me.
"What could she want with all of those fireworks?" Delilah asks.
"Maybe she just like's blowing shit up?" Daniel says, shrugging.
"But she is in custody now. So none of that matters now, right?" I ask.
"Yeah, you're right," Delilah says, "We don't have to worry about this kind of stuff anymore. No more investigations. No more favors. We're finally free from Lucy's clutches. She can't fuck with us anymore."
She's right. It's over. But I still would like to know who "My Protector" or the other person on Lucy's side is. I'm still not quite sure it's done yet.159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQb5t1G8Olz
They then ask me about what happened the three days I was with Lucy. And all of a sudden all attention is on me.
I could tell them everything. Every detail. I got to know Lucy up close and personal. She shared with me her deepest traumas; emotions. The things that make her tick. The things that she believes. To someone on the outside, all of it might sound like a lot. Overwhelmingly obtuse. It's just so—otherworldly.
It's exactly what I'm going through.
"We hung out," I start, "Talked a lot. Listened to music. Helped the disenfranchised. Got caught up in some stuff. She um—she's going through a lot. I can't help but think that if my circumstances were different. If I was in her shoes. I'd probably end up similar to her."
"Woah, Judas, you're not crazy," Delilah retorts, "You're nothing like her."
"It's kinda eerie how similar we are actually," I counter.
"But you'd never kill someone," Squid says, "You'd never do anything like what she did."
"Yeah, man, you're a good guy," Daniel says.
"But what if something could change that?" I ask. The room grows silent. "What if something horrible happens? I mean—something really horrible. What if the sun grows black—the earth sinks into the sea—the stars disappear—the fire and water meet—flames flaying against the sky—the heavens and earth burned and God is dead and all that is left is death?"
Delilah's hand reaches over to me and grabs my left hand.
"Or," she starts, "What if something amazing happens? I mean something really amazing. What if all these things you're worried about happening are lies? Judas, the truth is always quiet. It's the lies that are loud. What if it just goes up from here?"
I want to believe it. I really do. But it's so hard to trust that everything is back to normal.
"I'm not gonna convince you in one conversation," Delilah admits, "But know that I'm always going to be here for you no matter what you're going through. And I mean always. No matter what. I'm so glad you're back, Judas."159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCxgVlK4pL
159Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvxZ3MmpDC
