Chase approached me, his hand in the air. “Brianne, I’m so sorry. I had no intention that any of this would happen. I had the impression I was taking the right approach, retaliating for my parents, but I was so misguided. Can you ever forgive me?”
I saw his hand, remembering each time he stood by me and all the support he extended. I remembered the pain Lucy experienced, the sense of betrayal that came when she saw how far Chase had gone with his deception.
“I’m not sure, Chase,” I said sincerely. What you did is something I can’t simply forget. You hurt a lot of people. You hurt me.”
His features melted, and I recognized the kid I had known-the confidant I had believed in-beneath the cover of regret and despair. “I know,” he mentioned, his voice faltering. “I’ll spend however much time is left to me trying to mend things, should you allow me.”
As I was trying to answer, Detective Morris walked up with a serious expression on his face. He said, “I hate to disrupt this group, but we need to get you all out.” This space does not sense complete security yet, so I need to have your statements.
While leading us to the exit, I was able to see paramedics working vigorously over The Architect’s body. There wasn’t a sight of The Raven-probably already en route to the morgue. A rush of queasiness hit me as the understanding of what had just gone down washed over me.
People had died. All their evil aside, The Architect and The Raven were actually living, breathing humans. Their intricate plans for changing reality had vanished in the moments that followed the violence.
On the outside, the night wind hit me powerfully. I took it in, hoping to get my head clear. Cars from the police and ambulances filled the street, projecting surreal flashes of color through their red and blue lights.
“Over that way,” Morris pointed out to a number of unmarked vehicles. We will listen to what you have to say at the station. It’s safer there.”
As I got in the car with everyone, I landed next to Zoe and Alessandro. Though she was rather pale, her hands shook a little, her gaze was blank and determined.
“Are you okay?” I questioned her, suddenly suffering from guilt about not having checked on them sooner.
He gave me a wan smile. “I think so. To be honest, it’s a lot to think about, isn’t it? One moment we’re working to save you, but then another…” She ended her thought, shaking her head.
I uttered softly, ‘I know,’ while I took her hand in mine. “But it’s over now. We’re safe.”
The rush to the police station was indistinct. My brain continuously brought back the events I had been through, endeavoring to understand everything. The cosmic power I encountered, the linking with Lucy, the unexpected violence-it all appeared as though it had been a dream. Still, the heavy influence of Lucy’s memories, alongside the fresh strength I felt surging through me, told me that everything was far too real.
We were apart during the questioning at the station. I spent many hours describing in detail my beginning involvement with the Phoenix Organization and the ending encounter in the lab. The detectives gave me their greatly incredulous attention as I told them about the combination of realities and the cosmic authority I had momentarily controlled.
In closing my story, I said, ‘It sounds insane.'” “Yet, I promise every phrase is factual.”
A rough-looking detective named Hawkins, the lead, leaned back in his office chair, massaging his head. “Brianne, he said, ‘If it weren’t for the current situation, I’d insist that you are going through trauma-induced delusions.’ In view of the evidence we have revealed at the Phoenix Organization’s sites… we’re really functioning far beyond regular circumstances, to be honest.
As the sun’s light began to pour through the windows of the station, we finally became free. After looking as exhausted as I felt, Detective Morris accumulated us in the station lobby.
“There are safe spaces arranged for each of you,” he said. “We will need to continue to protect you while we ensure we’ve identified all members of the Phoenix Organization.”
“What about our families?” Zoe queried, a line of worry appearing on her brow.
“They’re receiving notice and given protection,” Morris assured her. ”We’re not taking any risks.”
As we started to leave, I noticed that two serious-faced officers were taking Chase away. We made eye contact for only a moment, and I perceived a wealth of regret in his look before he was directed down a corridor and out of view.
“How is he likely to proceed?” I asked Morris.
The detective sighed heavily. “It’s up to the courts to come to a conclusion.” He’s cooperating, which will aid his case, but… he was greatly involved in the Organization’s pursuits. Serious time is what he is considering.”
I nodded, an assortment of feelings whirling about inside me. Some of me-what remains of Brianne-craved to defend Chase, wanting to trust that redemption was possible for him. On the other hand, Lucy’s sense of betrayal cooled that feeling of impulse. He had decided on his path, and now he had to deal with the outcome.
With the morning sun on our faces as we walked away from the station, I detected a powerful feeling of unreality. Due to the pandemic, the world appeared just as it had before, but everything had adapted and changed.
“So what happens now?” Zoe expressed what everyone present was thinking.
After looking at Detective Morris, I looked at her and Alessandro, and then I looked back out at the city as it came to life around us slowly. The astounding cosmic authority within me arose, reminding me of the considerable responsibility I had taken on.
I noted, “Now,” with a steady voice filled with a fresh sense of purpose, “we rebuild. We heal. We ensure that nothing similar ever occurs in the future.
Detective Morris lifted an eyebrow. “That’s an ambitious request, Brianne.”
I sidelined, senseing Lucy’s power combining with my own will into a new and strong force. “Maybe,” I agreed. ‘Still, we have reality on our part.’
On our journey into the waiting vehicles, prepared for our brief safe houses, I kept feeling like this wasn’t an end, but a start. From the ashes of the Phoenix Organization, a new entity will develop.
On this occasion, I would be in charge of my own route. But then I looked at Alessandro and wondered where we would go from here.