Epilogue
Everett Young
I walk the concrete path that leads to the front door of my childhood home. Fear lingers in the pit of my stomach, my nervous system sending false alarms to my brain.
He can not hurt me now. This is the last time I will see them.
It’s strange to now think those words and not feel sorrow. There is a great relief in no longer clinging to what hurts you. I know this now.
As I reach the singular concrete step, movement to my left catches my attention, and I spot my neighbor taking out their trash. I lift a hand and wave. Their eyes land on me, widening momentarily before narrowing into a piercing glare.
I’m used to this now. Ever since we handled the Ash situation, he’s made it his personal mission to turn Sinclair against me. I’m not sure what story he has told or what lies he’s conjured, but most of this small town can’t stand the sight of me now.
Skylar wanted to confront him, to leak the audio, but I refused. We moved out of this shithole a week ago anyway, and their perception of me doesn’t matter. These assholes are the dumb ones, letting Ash manipulate them like this.
Ignoring the glare, I approach the front door, knocking once. It swings open to reveal Felicita, who huffs and turns, not bothering to greet me.
I do not follow her into the kitchen, but head up the stairs to my old room. I need to grab the rest of my things.
The electronics will stay, as well as my car, but I can still take my clothes and the things I bought myself. Plus, the Parishs put me on their phone plan after they heard my adoptive father took mine.
They’re good people, and I’m constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have met them. To have met Skylar—Henry and Kelly, too.
“Everett,” Ash greets, suddenly appearing in the doorway as I shove clothes into my duffel.
“What’s up?” I ask, not bothering to look him in the eyes as my stomach cramps painfully.
I wish Skylar were here.
“This is the last time, right? You won’t come back?”
I nod. This will be the last night. Sure, we have to come to Rockhill to see Skylar’s parents, but I won’t find myself on this side of the cul-de-sac ever again.
This chapter of my life has come to a close, and I’m more than happy to file it away somewhere dark and deserted inside of me.
After a moment of silence, Ash adds, “I just don’t understand. Why did you turn out this way?”
“I’m not doing this,” I tell him. “I don’t have to speak to you.”
“I’m looking for closure,” he hisses. “I just want to speak like men.”
I shove the last of my clothes into my bag, standing straight as I finally face him. “Do you want to know what the best part about all of this is?”
“What?” he snaps.
“I’ve realized that I don’t have to speak if I don’t want to. A part of being a man is recognizing what is worth speaking on, and what is not. I’m leaving now. Thanks.”
I push past him, jogging down the stairs as his footsteps sound behind me.
“Get back here! You owe me at least one conversation, Everett! After everything I’ve—”
The slamming of the front door cuts off his words. I don’t care to hear them, and I’m not required to either. I am free.
Henry is parked on the curb, scrolling through songs on his Spotify playlist as I slide into the passenger side.
“All done?” he asks, pulling from the curb.
“All done,” I confirm.
“Good for you, man.”
I watch the palm trees glide by. In my mind, I’m saying goodbye to the childhood I was given and mourning the one I deserved. I am making peace with and finally comprehending the abuse I faced.
I know I will still struggle. There will be a hundred moments in my future where I battle my self-worth, my insecurities, and my shame, but right now? I feel so fucking good.
Henry leaves Rockhill and hits the freeway.
“Thanks for driving me all the way to our new place,” I say. “Skylar had to go back this morning to be with Albert.”
Henry snickers. “I still can’t believe you guys named your dog Albert.”
“We heard enough of your jokes at the New Year’s party, asshole,” I reply.
Kelly and Henry think the name is hilarious, but I feel like it’s completely authentic to Skylar. It’s totally a name he’d pick out. Plus, Albert seems to love it.
“Oh, let me call Sky and tell him we’re on our way,” I add, pulling my new phone out.
It rings a few times before he answers, “Sup?”
“Hey, pup. We’re on our way.”
“Oh, thank god. Kelly won’t stop asking me when we’re getting them pizza for helping us move. Grab some on your way home?”
I’m grinning as I reply, “I got it. I’ll grab three.”
“Okay, thanks. I think I have all the boxes unpacked; we just need—hey! Albert stop! That is not a chew toy! Goddamnit, I gotta go. Love you.”
The call cuts out as a pleasant thrum moves through me. Visions of the past six months flash through my mind, starting with my possessiveness over Skylar and ending with this—us, together, in a home we’ve built with our chosen family.
I thought my entire life was planned out for me; I thought I would die under Ash’s thumb. But Skylar saved me.
The vicious, malicious pet I’ve had coiled around my throat since I was ten years old has wound tighter, dragging me into his viper’s nest.
I will spend the rest of my life in this bliss, free of what used to haunt me, lounging peacefully in a world we’ve created.
My eyes slide shut as I am loved, I am complete, I am safe repeats on a loop in my mind. There is a satisfaction that pulses through these facts; there is so much potential in every day that I am alive.
And as we inch closer and closer to Skylar, I feel that familiar sensation of overwhelming joy wash over me. It makes me want to cry; it makes me want to lie on the ground and soak it all in.
It is a gift to have found forever within him. It is a miracle to be where I am today. I am lucky—I can feel it in my bones and the part of me that is tethered to him.
I can hear it in his voice, in his anger and in his joy, that I will never be alone again. That he loves me so fully that I can never again feel empty.
What a wonderful feeling.
And what a beautiful thought, to know that this will be forever. That, until the last sunrise I witness, I will be here. With him.
Within striking range.