The air felt different now, it felt lighter as if all of the pain got ripped away by force. Coming to a satisfying conclusion. The townspeople were all seen dealing with their griefs individually, a town rebuilding itself.
But I was not alone anymore, I had Audrey. And most importantly, I also had Maeve, who I could now spend time with, time I lost when she was taken from me at a young age.
I walk through the town, walking over cobblestone, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. For once in a week, I catch a glimmer of the sun, and I see it resting upon my eyes.
It was nice to finally see change happen in a town, change I could happily say I caused. To bring resolution and empower so many people to break free and truly be themselves. Something I couldn't do back then when I was unwilling to know about my power.
Audrey and I would be living together, right by the record store. I'd give Maeve my old apartment. They were so close by it was like I could peek out the window and see her, living her best life now, and it was all because of me.
I'd walk around and notice various conversations between the townspeople. Some were happy, some were in grief or a state of shock. But they seemed to be comforted by loved ones. For once, I didn't feel judged, and for once, I'd be seen as someone who saved a town in a week.
Audrey, pacing right up behind me.
"I'm so happy today," she'd say. "This is like a fever dream."
Before I could respond, a door creaked open across the street. My heart skipped, and I turned instinctively toward the sound. Maeve stepped out onto the small balcony of her apartment, her figure framed by the soft light of the afternoon. She wore that same quiet confidence, the one I'd admired even when she was just a shadow in the back of my mind.
She caught my eye immediately, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
There was something almost magical in the way she stood there, as though the world had finally caught up to her in the best way possible.
"Hey, Clara," Maeve called, her voice carrying softly across the distance. "Audrey."
I couldn't help but smile as I walked toward the base of the stairs that led up to Maeve's apartment. Audrey fell in step beside me, her energy a perfect counterbalance to the quiet contentment I felt inside.
Maeve leaned against the railing, her posture relaxed but with that hint of mischief in her eyes that made her all the more intriguing. She gave a little wave, her eyes glimmering with something between relief and excitement.
"You two enjoying the sun out there?" Maeve asked, raising an eyebrow.
I stopped at the foot of the stairs, looking up at her with a sense of familiarity, a sense of home. "Yeah, it's nice. It feels like everything's... starting over."
Maeve nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "You were the catalyst for that, Clara. All of this. I'm proud of you."
I felt my chest tighten at her words, a wave of emotion rushing over me. "Proud of me?" Maeve, the one I had wanted to have beside me for longer as those memories lasted, was proud of me. It meant more than I could say.
"We've all got something to be proud of," Audrey said, her voice light but sincere.
She took my hand, her warmth anchoring me as always. "We've come a long way, all of us."
Maeve gave a soft chuckle, pushing herself off the balcony railing and stepping down onto the street below. "Well, I'm definitely not letting you two get away with all the credit," she said with a playful grin.
"You might've saved the town, but I think it's about time you let me return the favor."
I laughed, the sound a little shaky with the relief flooding through me.
The three of us stood there for a moment, watching the townspeople around us, lost in their own worlds yet, somehow, more connected than ever.
The past felt distant now, like an old dream that was finally beginning to fade. In its place was something new, a future that was ours to shape, together.
Maeve glanced between Audrey and me, her eyes narrowing in playful thought.
"How about we visit the record store? I think we've all earned it."
I nodded, my heart lighter than it had been in years. "I'd like that."
We would spend our moments together in the record store. This time, I was not alone, and for once, I could feel the value of warmth shudder over my face as I could feel my eyes glimmering with hope. I couldn't see the threads any longer, but maybe that was for the better. Who needs a power when the real power is the people you have with you?
Listening to rock music together, sharing laughs and grins. Nothing felt better than spending these moments together. It seemed empty without knowing more about what happened to Amelia, but I'd say she deserved it. No matter the trauma she had, giving it back to others that don't need it was worse.
And as the three of us walked through Everbrook to the record store, it finally felt like the town had come alive in a way I could believe in. The people were healing, just as we were, and nothing could stand in our way. Whatever came next, we would face it together.11Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9Zk9GyKsy
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