When I got back, everyone started asking about what had happened and how I was here. I explained as best I could my conversation with King Zek and how he had decided to spare me, since I did what I did with good intentions, as long as I promised to never attempt to do something like this again. After they were done bombarding me with questions, I asked one of my own.
"Is Jordan awake yet?"
Cory smiled. "She just woke up a few minutes ago. Some of the Reapers are trying to explain what happened. She's not really all there yet, but she's gonna be fine, at least that's what the medics said."
I smiled back. "Good." I guess it was expected Jordan wouldn't be completely okay, but as long as she would be soon, I could relax. Zack was right. There was no need to be afraid anymore.
"You should stay here for the night," Nick told us. "Lee's trial is tomorrow, and Jordan needs to stay."
I looked at the others. "What about you're parents? Won't they be worried?" Cory shook her head with a smile. "I called my parents. Told them I was staying at Jordan's. Henry called his parents too, said that he, Will, and Jordan are staying with me."
"You-," I started, not understanding at first. "They lied," Lena clarified, leaning against the wall.
"Ah," I whispered.
We got sleeping bags and blankets and laid down on the ground in a room that was usually used for training (though they had put away all that stuff for the time being). When all the lights had been turned off, it was so dark I couldn't see anything.
Will screamed. Apparently he was afraid of the dark. I was ready to get up, but I felt a hand on my shoulder that stopped me. "I got it," Henry said, though I couldn't even see his expression. This was the first time he had talked to me since we had brought Jordan back here. I nodded, but then, remembering he couldn't see me, I said, "alright."
The door opened and Henry left. I heard Will crying. "I can't see, I can't see," he said.
"It's okay," Cory said. I could tell she was over with Will, probably hugging him or something. I heard him start to calm down.
"You're good with kids," Nick said. He had been laying right next to Will, so he was probably deaf thanks to the scream, but he didn't seem to care.
"I'm used to it. I've been friends with Jordan since before Henry was born. We've practically grown up together, and him and Will have always been a package deal," Cory explained, obviously not phased. "But thanks for the compliment."
Henry came back with a lantern on each arm and candles in each hand. How he had not dropped something I had no idea. He put them around the room, lighting it with a golden glow. I could now see the others faces, at least enough to identify expressions, and I could tell Will was satisfied.
We all fell asleep soon after. Well, most of us did. I couldn't. I just laid there, staring at the ceiling. "You should be asleep," Lena said, turning to me.
"So should you," I responded, turning to her as well. She shrugged. "Fair."
"Is something wrong," I asked. "You look...scared." I had never really seen Lena scared. Even when she was dying the second time, she hadn't been scared. The first time she did, well, I read her obituary. It said she hadn't even cried. Not a single tear. She had just asked if her family was safe now.
Sorry, that was darker than I meant it to be.
Anyway, Lena sighed and took a deep breath. "I don't know. I just, every time I close my eyes I see things I don't want to. I know I shouldn't be scared anymore, but I can't help it." I nodded slowly. I had similar feelings.
"I know. All this, we shouldn't have to deal with it. This should be dealt with by adults, not children," I said.
Lena shook her head. "We're not children," she reminded me.
I nodded. "Not children," I agreed. "But then what are we?"
"Warriors," she said.
"Warriors," I said with a small smile. "I like that." Lena smiled back at me. "Same. Now go to sleep, you dork," she teased. I rolled my eyes.
"You too, miss...loud."
"That was a terrible comeback."
"Oh shut up."
When I woke up the next day, the only one still in the room was Zack, who was snoring his head off. I rolled my eyes with a smile and went over to him. I shook him gently. He groaned and opened his eyes. "Oh, hey Alex," he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Hi," I said. "Do you know where the others are?" Zack shook his head. "I'm a very deep sleeper," he explained.
Before I got worried something bad had happened, Henry peeked his head in from the door. "Finally, you two are awake. The trial's in an hour," he said.
My eyes widened. "Jordan's alright?" Henry smiled and nodded. "She probably would like to see you before the trial. Now, chop, chop!"
Me and Zack got up and in a few minutes I went to the medical room. Jordan was sitting up and eating a granola bar. She noticed me and smiled brighter than I thought she would. I was pretty sure I had the same dopey grin on my own face as well.
She got up and I hugged her tightly. "You're okay," Jordan said, holding on tightly to me. I laughed. "Crazy, I know."
She let go and smiled. I did the same. "How do you feel," I asked.
Jordan shrugged. "A little confused, but better. I just can't wait for this to be over." I nodded. "Couldn't agree more."
"We should probably get ready," Jordan said, looking down at her hospital gown. I agreed. I left the medical room and got into a suit (what? I like to look good, and when going to court you should always look your best). When I came out, still fumbling with my tie, I saw all the others ready to go. Lena was the first to speak. "So, ready to go," she asked.
"One second," I said. "I can't get this flipping tie!" Jordan rolled her eyes and stepped forward. She did it for me. "No offense, but how can you not do a tie? Aren't you originally from a long time ago," she asked.
"You think everyone was wearing ties in the 70's? You really need to brush up on your history," I argued. Jordan smirked and rolled her eyes again, fixing my tie so it was straight.
"Can we go now," Nick complained, arms crossed. I put my hands up. "Okay, okay. Let's go," I said.
We walked down the halls. None of us spoke. What was there to say? Some stopped and stared at us, but with Lena and Nick glaring at anyone who did, they never stared for too long.
Finally we made it to the courtroom. I took a deep breath and the door opened. We all stepped inside. Lee Parker was sitting in front of everyone in the middle of the room. We all walked to the side to sit down, except for Jordan. She walked right up to Parker.
"Jordan," he said with false cheerfulness. Jordan smiled and leaned to speak into his ear. "Say another word to me, and death won't be the worst thing to happen to you," she whispered in his ear. Then she stood up straight and looked at us, or more specifically, Nick. He smirked and nodded. I looked at Nick and almost missed it.
Jordan slapped Parker in the face. Anyone who was saying anything stopped and looked at Jordan, who showed no emotion. And Parker, well, he looked in pain. I told you before, Jordan packs a good punch, so her slap couldn't have been much better. I couldn't help but smile slightly to myself.
Jordan walked over and sat down next to me, high-fiving Nick on the way. I guessed they had planned this. That made this all the more better.
"Is she allowed to do that," I asked Nick. He nodded. "I pulled some strings. Jordan wanted revenge, and I was more than willing to help."
I chuckled. "Well it certainly was entertaining."
The Council members walked in and took their seats. The main one stood up. "Lee Parker, you are accused of murder, assault, and attempted murder of a minor. How do you plead?"
Lee Parker shook his head. "Guilty."
"Do you regret your actions?"
Lee Parker smiled slightly. "Not in the slightest. Believe me, sir, you could throw me in the deepest pits of this hell, but I'll get out. It may take decades, centuries, but I will."
The main one shook his head with a small smile on his lips. "Oh, don't worry, Mr. Parker. We have made sure an event like this will never happen again. In fact, King Zek is announcing our plan of action right after this. Now, let's make this quick. We have families to get home to, don't we?" The council members all whispered in agreement.
He banged his gavel. "Mr. Parker will be handed over to Death. Death, what is your punishment," he said. I hadn't even realized Death had been in the room, but now that I saw him I felt that feeling again. That feeling of pure fear. Next to Death, Lee Parker looked like a teddy bear.
Death took a step forward. "He deserves a great punishment for what he has done to so many. I suggest torture, like the torture he inflicted on so many others. He will die, over and over again. He shall face the thing he has seemed to fear the most, dying."
Lee Parker seemed to try and hide his fear, but I could see it clearly. He was terrified. Understandably so. If he wasn't a raging psychopath, I would've felt bad.
But that was exactly what he was.
I watched as some of the guard's led him away. I would've cheered, but that seemed immature. Death looked at me and smiled. "Thank you," he mouthed. I nodded. "Take good care of him," I mouthed back, smiling. Then Death turned, leading the guards and Lee Parker out.
"Now as I was saying, King Zek's new initiative," the main council member said. He clapped and a screen came down from the ceiling. On it was King Zek, his face serious. "Alex Quek, step forward."
I gulped and looked at the others. They all looked at me, a mix of confusion and fear evident on their faces. I got up and walked forward to the screen.
King Zek smiled slightly. "I have decided we need a new profession. I present the detectives. They shall make sure that nothing like this happens again. They will make sure people die at the right time, and stop people like Mr. Parker from doing what he has done. And Alex Quek, if you want, you will be their leader. The first member. It's only fitting, since you found out about our...mistake."
I stood there shocked for a good minute, gaping at King Zek. "I-I would be honored, King Zek." I wondered if this was the right choice. I had to admit, I did enjoy being a dreambender. But I could also tell this needed to be done, and I knew I could do it.
"I accept you're offer."
As we all left, the others all crowded me, smiling and laughing and congratulating me. "So you won't be a dreamsender anymore," Zack asked, his voice making it through the crowd. Everyone got quieter to hear me and Zack. I knelt down next to the kid and smiled.
"I guess not," I said. "But it's not like we won't see each other. Plus, I need you to do something for me. I need you to take care of the dreamsenders for me. Lead them. I know you can. Hell, you somehow are better at it than me, and I've been doing it for years."
Zack chuckled. "Okay," he said, smiling.
I stood up and looked at the older kids. We all smiled at each other, relieved it was all over. Lee Parker was getting what he deserved. Maybe that sounded dark, but he was a murderer. It's kind of comforting to know that people who do terrible things end up in terrible places, at least in my opinion.
We all walked to the medical room, since the doctors wanted to make sure that she was alright to go back home. Unlike the walk to the courtroom, we were filled with life (metaphorically for some of us, of course). We talked and laughed like a bunch of old friends. In some ways, it felt like we were. Imagining my life without these guys (even if they could be dumb sometimes) seemed impossible. I knew this peace couldn't last forever. Jordan, Cory, Henry, and Will needed to go back home to the Alive World. Yet for the time being, I ignored that little fact. It was like everything was back to normal, even if that truly wasn't the case.
We sat in the medical room laughing until one of the Reapers came in. "It's time for you to go home," he said, looking at Jordan and the other alive kids. The laughter ended there.
Jordan sighed and got up. "Understood."
The Reaper sliced the air with his scythe and the portal to the alive world appeared. Jordan turned to me. "I guess this is goodbye," she said.
I shook my head. "For now," I reminded her. "We'll see each other again. It may take decades, but we will. I know it." Jordan nodded, her eyes slightly glassy. Then she sighed and hugged me. I hugged back almost immediately.
"I'll miss you," she whispered, hugging back tighter. I did the same. "I'll miss you too."
When we finally let go after what felt like hours, Jordan smiled and stepped back, ready to go. Zack was still saying goodbye to Will and Henry. All 3 boys were laughing and crying. I knew it would hit them harder.
"Have fun in the Afterlife," Henry said, wiping his cheek.
"I hope we see each other again," Will cried.
"We will, I know it! And have fun hunting ghosts," Zack exclaimed.
The three boys hugged, and for a few minutes I thought they would never let go.
Cory shook hands with Nick and hugged Lena. None of them spoke. I guess they didn't know what words were appropriate for a situation like this. Then again, none of them had ever been in a situation like this before, at least as far as I'm aware.
Cory nodded in thanks to me and I nodded back. Then she joined Jordan. Will and Henry joined them and together they all walked through the portal, waving the whole way. Once they made it through, the portal closed.
The Reaper who had opened the portal left, so it was just me, Lena, Nick, and Zack. We all stood there, staring at the empty space where our friends had just stood. I smiled to myself. We would see them again. I didn't know when, or how, but we would. And when we did I would cherish that moment.
Eventually, all of us decided to walk home together. Like old times, we laughed and talked until all of our voices went hoarse. It was strange to think things would just go back to normal now, except in no ways was it going to.
Tomorrow, I would have a new job, and with it would come new responsibilities and in some ways a new life. Not that my life would ever be the same again. I know I've repeated this a few times, but I'm not wrong.
Now, sadly I have to admit this is where we must part ways. It was nice to be able to tell my story to someone who was willing to listen. I would've told it to the new death's, but Zack said I would scare them. He's basically the leader of the dreambenders by now. How he's better at it than the oldies, I have no idea, but it's best not to question this kind of thing.
Lena is still as crazy as ever. I don't think anything could change that. Her and Nick have rekindled their friendship (which is really nice because it was kind of awkward being in the middle).
Speaking of Nick, me and him sort of work together. I mean, I find out when someone dies, he makes sure it happens. It only makes sense that we'd work together. Our friendship has only grown stronger since what happened with Lee Parker and Jordan.
As for Jordan and the other alive ones, I've heard there lives are good now. Not fantastic I guess, but better. I've seen Jordan's in a new movie soon. We have theater's in the Afterlife, so when it comes out I can't wait to see it.
When you do die, I hope we meet. You seem pretty cool. I mean, you were willing to listen to me ramble for 24 chapters. That's dedication. Not that I want you to die soon! That'd be weird and creepy. Just, when it does happen, stop by. I know I won't be the only one excited to meet you in person.
So, goodbye, alive person.
Until we meet again.
I can't believe that this story is now over. I'll admit, I got emotional finishing this. This story was so much fun to write. Thank you for everyone who has read this story and supported me. Thank you doesn't feel like enough, but I don't really know what else to say. I hope you enjoyed this story and the adventures of Alex. Who knows if I'll ever make a sequel or anything, but only time will tell. I didn't even know if I was going to write this whole thing, so anything's possible.
How would you rate this story (out of 10)? Any feedback is appreciated!
Also, who became your favorite character? Let me know in the comments!
I hope you enjoyed! Goodbye for now!
Tags: @seki1 and @dreemsteem