Epilogue

Firefly

" W ell?" I snap, waiting impatiently for one of them to fucking speak.

Charisma clears their throat. "The rumors of a hidden portal in the woods was," they stop looking at Sullen, "well, just that. Rumors." Fuck! I slam my fist against the table, taxidermy tools scattering across the floor. As I run my hands through my hair in frustration, I lick my lips, my eyes searching, trying to figure something, anything out. There's a solution; I know there's a solution to this. I'm just overlooking it.

"There's got to be another portal here somewhere! How else did the Spinster get her nightmares here? How did Havoc do it?" I run my hands down my scruffy face as I groan in exhaustion. My fingers part slightly as I stare down at the table, looking at the small stuffed creature before me. Pain begins to build in my side, the feeling of something hot piercing my flesh, causing me to cry out through my clenched teeth.

"Boss!" Charisma tries to rush to me, but I raise my hand, stopping them.

I glance down at my bare ribs, no wound or visible affliction present, yet I feel the pain.

Blue.

My hand grazes her name, still stitched perfectly across my heart. She's being tortured—again—and I'm feeling every bit of it, as I have every time since I was forced back to Nightmare. I need to get back to Dreadmoor, to save her and stop her pain, but how ? The sensation returns, even more so this time. I groan loudly, slamming my fists into the table as I try to fight the pain, waiting for it to pass.

As much as I wish for the pain to end, it's also welcoming. It's the reminder I need that she's still alive, that she's still fighting, and despite the Spinster's attempts, we're still connected. I'll gladly share this pain with her. I won't let her go through this alone.

"Is it Blue again?" Charisma asks. Their affection towards the doll has changed since my return, which is oddly calming. I nod as they shake their head. "I knew Havoc was crazy, but I never imagined she would do all of this."

No one did.

"Keep asking around," I exhale, wiping sweat from my forehead. "There has to be someone in this fucking world who knows something." Charisma nods as their eyes meet Sullen's.

"There may be someone we can ask." Sullen slithers from the shadows of the basement.

"Who?" I ask, retrieving the needle and thread before piercing the animal's fur.

"Stingy Jack." My body freezes, stiffening at the sound of that fucker's name. Charisma, sensing my rising anger, moves to intervene.

"Sullen—"

"Charisma, think about it. He has been here the longest, he knows all the portals. He was the first in Nightmare to discover a way out. If anyone can get you back to Dreadmoor, boss, it's Stingy Jack."

The two minions wait for my decision. The last person I want to ask for help is Stingy Jack, but for Blue, I will do anything. I take a long breath before nodding.

"Alright, arrange a meeting." Sullen nods, slithering back to the shadows.

"You don't have to do this, boss. We'll keep trying to find another way."

I stare at the dead rodent in my hands, his body almost fully intact, with a fresh set of button eyes, one black and one blue. "There's no other way, Charisma."

Stay strong, Blue. I'm going to fix everything, baby, I promise.

Charisma nods, leaving me alone in the basement of her home, just me and Mr. Whiskers.

"Firefly," I hear her whisper in the quiet air as a dragonfly lands on the rat, changing from green to blue. A smirk forms on my face as I continue to stare at its wings.

Don't worry, Doll face, I'm coming for you .