Page 143 of Deliverance

“Are you okay?” she rasps.

“No, you?”

“No,” she says with a short laugh that makes her wince. “Fuck.”

“Almost there, Brenton.”

She nods and we sit there in silence for several minutes before she speaks again.

“I can’t believe it.”

“What?” I ask.

“After everything. Everything I’ve been through, everything you have. Everything those two horrible humans did. It’s done. It’s over. We’re free.”

Free.

Epilogue

Bridgette

It’s been over a year almost to the day that my and Maggie’s lives were flipped completely on their heads. It’s also been the happiest year of my life. We finally moved into that summer condo and spent months sleeping, laughing, and fucking. It was heaven. When we went back to Gallows Hill to start our senior year, we decided we didn’t want to spend a night away from each other. We moved into my dorm together and left Maggie’s for extra storage. I couldn’t imagine it any other way. There isn’t a moment in the day that I don’t want to be near her. I know, we are that sickly sweet couple.

There wasn’t much fallout in the wake of our parents’ deaths. With my father and Calista gone, his estate ended up falling to Brad. He said he didn’t want a thing from our piece of shit dad, so we decided to sell the house and split the money. Brad took his half and bought a nice house out on the bay. I took mine and set it to the side, though Maggie and I have been looking into houses around the area. Her favorite is actually right down the road from Skyla’s, which would actually be kind of perfect because, somehow, Skyla and her husbands have become our sort of family.

We all get together for dinner regularly. Skyla, Maggie, and I have spa days. Brad and Liam even get together and game, of course getting absolutely ripped in the process. It’s a weird, unconventional, fucked up little family. And I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

It was a little awkward at first, though everyone knew I was in love with Maggie. They also understood that my infatuation with Asher was more survival based than actual emotion. Still, it definitely made for some awkward moments before we all moved past it. Now, I look at the guys as really good friends.

Mercy and Angela made some derogatory comments and used some slurs at Maggie and I, when we came back to school last semester. They happened to do it in front of Skyla and all the guys, and all I know is that they both ended up in the ICU for it. I don’t think it was Vincent because, despite him being a psycho, he doesn’t seem like the ‘I beat up women’ type. I mean, he will kill them without question if Skyla asked, but beat up? I don’t know. Seems a little low for him. I’m one hundred percent positive that one of them organized the attack, and it may sound shitty, but I’m glad it happened. Don’t people understand this life is hard enough without others spewing hate? It is far easier to be kind; a painful lesson I learned the hard way. If anyone is going to single someone out based on who they love, well, they can get their ass stomped into the pavement. I really couldn’t care less.

It’s graduation day, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. I have decided that I want to start working for Child Protective Services. I want to be the person that helps kids, that saves them from terrible situations. I want to be the person I wish I could have had.

There are some accreditations I have to go through, but when I brought it up to Skyla, she had Asher make a few phone calls, and just like that, I have my first day next week. Secret societies are often dark and malicious that will bully, bribe, or kill anyone that gets in their way. Sometimes, it has its advantages, though.

I’m really excited about the work I’ll be doing, that I’ll be able to change kid’s lives, protect them, and put these piece of shit abusers behind bars. Or maybe I’ll call Griggs if I find a particularly nasty son of a bitch.

Maggie has decided to open a candle shop in downtown Salem. She has already leased a cute little shop and we are working on renovations this weekend. Well, the guys are. Maggie and I picked out the designs, and Skyla volunteered the muscle. She is so fucking talented; she deserves a place to let that talent shine.

She did have to dip into the money her father left her, which wasn’t an easy thing. She feels so much guilt for it, saying it’s like she’s validating his death for the sake of money. We talked about it for a long time before I was able to get through to her. Her dad loved her, he wanted her taken care of. He was taken away from this world for nothing but greed, which is why he gave everything to her, the least greedy and most deserving person he could.

Maggie conceded when another opportunity arose: Maryia’s little sister, Madeline. The day after we found Maryia, Maggie tracked down her family. She explained to them that Maryia had been murdered by Thomas Booth in an act of rage. She didn’t want to give them the full story, and honestly, she didn’t need to. The main thing she didn’t want was for Maryia to just ‘disappear.’ For her parents to always wonder, always fear. For them to mourn her without ever receiving proper closure. This way, they were able to see her body, give her a proper funeral, and heal.

Maggie insisted on paying for the whole thing, as well as Madeline’s surgery and hospital bills. Maryia’s mom sobbed in gratitude and little Madeline has officially been cancer free for over five months now. They are still heartbroken over losing their firstborn, but are grateful for everything Maggie has done for their family. I know she still carries a lot of guilt for what happened to Maryia. She knows and acknowledges that she wasn’t the one that pulled the trigger, but being even remotely involved eats her alive.

She started therapy shortly after everything and she has been thriving since. Her therapist, Austin, is the best. A very laid back, new age hippie who lets Maggie word vomit all over him before digging deeper. I’ve sat in a few sessions with them and I love the way she relaxes around him. It’s so important to feel that comfort with your therapist. If you can’t be honest and vulnerable with them, who can you be vulnerable with?

I still see Ariel regularly. Even on the days when I feel my happiest, walking into her room is like an escape, a safe space. I know I wouldn’t be standing here breathing without her. Her and Maggie, that is.

I look into the crowd to see Skyla giving us a big smile and a wave as Vincent places a possessive hand over her stomach. If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was pregnant based on the way he’s holding her. She definitely would have told us if she was, but maybe he’s just manifesting. The guys have been hounding her for a while now, and honestly, I think she’s going to break soon.

Maggie asked me if I wanted kids one day and I wasn’t sure how to answer. There are so many questions to ask. Would we adopt? Do surrogacy? Would one of us carry the baby? Which one? Maggie could see me spiraling and she cupped my face, pressed a soft kiss to my lips, and told me to answer the question.

Yes.

Of course, it’s a yes. I want to build an entire life with Maggie. Anything that is possible during our time on earth, I want to do it with her. Always.

The Dean goes on to make another long winded speech once all the diplomas are handed out before everyone tosses their caps in celebration. Once the ceremony is over, we all head to Skyla’s, where they threw us a graduation party.

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