I stood stiffly, as hot tears leaked out of my eyes. I watched as Ratchet, Kate, and Yasmine were lowered carefully into the ground. A dreary silence hung the air, suffocating us like a thick, white fog. I shed one last tear. I resolved not to cry anymore. I’ve shed enough tears to last a lifetime.
We all took turns saying our final goodbyes. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I saw Fang cry. I then realized just how much they meant to him. He probably felt responsible for them. He tried to talk when it was his turn, but he couldn’t manage to. Then it was my turn to speak.

“Kate, Yasmine, and Ratchet. The saddest thing about all this is that I didn’t know you very well.” I said, remembering Ari’s funeral, and how Fang regretted not knowing him. “I didn’t even like you for most of the time. That was because you were proof that Fang had moved on.” I continue quietly. Fang looks at me with dark, yet understanding eyes. “I realize now that I was stupid. Without you, none of us would be alive. You guys sacrificed yourself to save us, and the rest of the world, whether they deserved it or not. There aren’t words to describe how grateful I am. Yasmine, by detonating that bomb, you may have killed yourself, but you saved the world. Your life was short, but I can tell you were an amazing kid. I’m sorry you died before your time.” I finished sadly, and I stepped back softly.

I looked around at my tear-streaked, bruised, and mangled flock. They were cut, scraped, and bloodied, but I was filled with a fierce gratitude that they were all alive. Life just wasn’t worth living without them.

I smiled at Dylan, who had his arm slung protectively around Maya’s shoulders. I guess he really did end up with “me”. I reached out and hugged Fang, who pulled me into his embrace, and kissed the top of my head.

Nudge lifted her head slowly, and fixed her brown-eyed gaze on mine.

“So what do we do now?” she asked timidly. I thought about it for a second.

“We go back to Colorado. Home.”

Iggy, Angel, Gazzy, Nudge, Fang, Dylan, Star, Holden, and Maya all set their stares on me.

“All of us.” And with that, I ran, and leaped into the air. I snapped my wings out, enjoying the feel of the air on my feathers, and I sped away.

So we could finally just go home.



But of course, my happy peace just had to be interrupted. Like always. I saw a speck flying towards us in the distance, tan wings moving powerfully.

No. It couldn’t be. She…she’s dead! I held the funeral! She died in the explosion with Yasmine and Kate! And she doesn’t have wings! But…there she is…..



It’s Ella.



Flying.