Epilogue

The warm spring breeze brushed along my skin, my grown-out hair dancing freely in the sunlight. Alastair huffed, pulling my thoughts from my daydream, reminding me of where I was.

It was painful being back here in New Bedeville, the overflow of tender memories and emotional scars burning in my chest. I wiped my tears, my arm fully healed as though nothing had happened. Alastair nudged me. "I'm okay," I whispered. "I just miss them."

I was sitting on my knees, holding three bouquets of flowers, facing the headstones of my friends: Ruby, Jinx, and Lazarus. After barely surviving the events of that dreadful weekend, I returned to New Bedeville, searching for their bodies, to try and give them eternal peace. Unfortunately, Jinx's body was the only one I was able to locate.

I sniffed, placing a fresh bouquet of flowers on both women's graves, hesitating before moving to the last.

My fingers traced the etched letters of his name, followed by my own personal touch, written just below it: dreamer. I burst into tears, Alastair rushing to me as he tried to comfort me. It was too painful remembering that night. I sobbed into his thick black fur, grateful to have him by my side. He licked my face and I laughed softly amidst the heartbreak. "Thank you," I whimpered, placing the final bouquet against Lazarus' headstone.

Alastair helped me to my feet as I closed my eyes and inhaled the pleasant spring air. The sun warmed my face, drying my tears as I listened to the birds and the creatures of the woods. A distant whistle caught my attention, beckoning my eyes to the edge of the forest just outside the iron graveyard fence.

Standing on two feet, staring back at me, was the Wendigo with brown fur, the one who saved me that night. It raised its scarred hand, signing to me.

I smiled, fidgeting with the chain necklace around my neck before signing back. "I love you too, dreamer."