chapter sixteen
359 Words
The realm began collapsing around them.
Pieces of light fell from the sky.
The ground shook.
The portal behind them grew wider.
The boy grabbed her hand.
“We're leaving.”
She didn't move.
“No.”
“What?”
“I have to close it.”
“We'll find another way.”
“There isn't one.”
“You don't know that.”
“My grandmother did.”
He stared at her.
“You're not going to do this alone.”
She looked at him.
“I don't want you to come with me.”
“Why?”
Because she cared about him.
Because she had finally found someone she trusted.
Because she knew that if he stayed, he might never leave.
She swallowed.
“You have to go.”
“No.”
“Please.”
He stared at her.
“You're trying to protect me.”
She didn't answer.
He understood.
“You're breaking my heart.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
The portal shook violently.
The missing piece began glowing.
She stepped toward it.
The boy caught her hand.
“Come back.”
She looked at him.
“I'll try.”
It was the only promise she could give.
She placed her hand against the center of the puzzle.
The symbols exploded into light.
For one moment, she heard her grandmother's voice.
You were never the lock.
She froze.
You were the key.
The portal began closing.
The boy was pulled backward.
He reached for her.
She reached back.
Their hands separated.
“GO!”
He disappeared through the shrinking doorway.
She remained.
Alone.
The realm became silent.
She looked around.
The portal was almost completely closed.
Then she noticed something.
Her grandmother had left one final message.
It appeared in the air.
This was never about keeping you hidden.
Another line appeared.
It was about giving you the choice I never had.
She finally understood.
Her grandmother hadn't wanted her to spend her life running.
She wanted her to choose.
And now the choice belonged to her.
She pressed her hand against the glowing center.
The portal closed.
Everything went dark.
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