Intertwined like two fusing stars, Boo and Harry lay in his bed together that night, Boo in a pair of soft pants and an old sweatshirt she filched from his closet. He lays beside her, one arm snug around her waist while the other holds her hand to his bare chest. Her cheek is pressed to his shoulder but her eyes are glued to the wall, absently watching the shadows caused by the wind blown trees outside his window. The room around them is quiet, but restlessness is brewing nonetheless. Beneath Boo's palm, Harry's heartbeat thunders along true and steady, providing the only sense of grounding to her drowning mind.

"Harry," she says hoarsely. Her voice sounds like a foghorn compared to the silence blanketing them.

His fingers dance along her waist at the sound of his name on her tongue. "Yes, heart," he hums throatily.

Boo inhales his familiar cologne and instinctively snuggles in closer to him. He moves beneath her, drawing her frame closer to his and kissing her forehead. The moon moves the tide the way she moves him.

"It's really over," she rasps, gently raking her nails along his skin.

"It is."

A beat passes. "Then why do I feel so empty?"

He shifts at her question. "You've spent so long trying to find out what happened, it's understandable to feel this way. You haven't had time to really grieve Martha."

His words ring true. Months of her life have been spent chasing the truth, spinning circles in the dark while looking for the light. To be wholly confronted with such a bloody reality in such a small space of time has left her feeling numb. It's a strange sensation, and somewhat dreadful, after weeks of grappling with a flood of emotions. Sometimes grief is the great, pulsating wound; but more often than not it's the tiny papercut—bloodless and invisible, and yet the pain is just as unbearable.

She sniffles despite the lack of tears. "I'm going to be hollow forever."

"Nonsense," Harry whispers, lifting her chin so he can see her face. "We'll find the light again, my love. And I'll be with you through the dark until then."

« • »

The end came swiftly after the showdown in the clearing. Nathaniel was quick to drag Warren under the bus with him, and after hours of interrogation, both men gave over where they'd moved Damien's body to. It was a Monday when Boo received the call she waited a lifetime to hear. The rain had come in deep swells the night before, nearly drowning Jack Creek in several inches of water. But undeterred by the weather, Ashton sent out a CSI team and finally, after decades of questions and heartache, Damien was brought home.

The following morning, there was a press conference. All in all, it had only been about three days since her confrontation with Nathaniel, and Boo was still feeling apprehensive. The idea of being in front of a crowd and a live camera feed only exacerbated her worries.

"You don't have to speak," Ashton reassured her. "But I want you up there with me."

She agreed, knowing there was little other choice. Now was finally her chance to shed light on the dark truths she fought for so long to uncover. Terrified or not, she would be there with a determined heart and her hand in Harry's.

« • »

Rocks tumble around in Boo's stomach as she waits anxiously for the press conference to begin. Cameras are already clicking continuously, sounding akin to cicadas on a summer morning as Ashton and his team arrange themselves on the front steps of the courthouse, with Ashton taking the lead at the podium. Boo lingers behind him at the back of the crowd, Harry standing vigilant beside her. He slides his hand discreetly into hers and gives her a comforting squeeze. I'm here, it says. I'm here with you.

Ashton adjusts his tie and clears his throat. The clicking quiets but every reporter inches forward and red lights flicker on as live feeds begin rolling.

"Thank you everyone for coming out today," he begins mildly. "My name is Ashton Kent and I'm an agent with the FBI. I am the lead investigator for Project Dandelion as part of the Cold Case Initiative, and I'm pleased to inform you that we have successfully concluded our investigation. Over the last few months, due to diligent work from our agents and the help of your community, we have ascertained the events that led to the deaths of three Jack Creek citizens: Martha Taylor, Hazel Commons, and Damien Burkwell.

A thrill of murmurs runs through the crowd of reports at the confirmation of Damien's death.

Ashton  clears his throat again. "On May twenty-first, nineteen-sixty-seven, Mr. Burkwell disappeared under suspicious circumstances after going on a fishing trip. His case remained cold for forty-five years, up until a few months ago when we quietly reopened it. During Hurricane Monroe earlier this year, Martha Taylor was among the deceased—"

He keeps talking, his voice monotonous, while Boo's ears fill with a dreadful buzzing noise. Abruptly it feels as though she's just another audience member at the press conference, observing herself struggle to contain her emotion. Her grip on Harry's hand tightens and she leans into him for grounding.

"—followed by the death of Hazel Commons, who is Damien Burkwell's sister. It was initially believed that both Mrs. Taylor and Ms. Commons died of natural causes. We know now that isn't true."

Goosebumps sweep across Boo's skin as Ashton turns and opens his arm out to Boo, beckoning her forward. She approaches the podium on unsteady feet, her entire body shaking.

"This is Melita Taylor, someone the Bureau, and myself personally, owes a great debt of gratitude to. Due to her heroic efforts, we now know the connection between all three of these deaths. Mr. Burkwell was murdered in nineteen-sixty-nine by Randall Taylor and Nathaniel Waters, the former police captain of the JCPD. Martha Taylor was witness to these events but ultimately kept her involvement undisclosed. Mr. Waters went to great lengths over the years to keep Mr. Burkwell's death, and the location of his remains, a secret.

"Mrs. Taylor recently expressed a change of heart, according to testimony from Mr. Waters. She told him of her intent to turn herself in, leading him to kill her and use the hurricane as a cover-up. A later autopsy has confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation, with the manner of death as homicide. When Melita began to look into her grandmother's death, she spoke to Ms. Commons regarding her brother's disappearance. Two days later, she died of an apparent heart attack, which we now know was caused using the plant aconite. Mr. Waters confessed to poisoning Ms. Commons in order to keep her from pursuing further attempts to get justice for her brother."

Boo is feeling weak in the knees, still standing astride Ashton as reporters intently listen and shove cameras in her face. She turns to look at Harry, who nods hearteningly at her but says nothing.

"Mr. Waters also orchestrated a break-in at Miss Taylor's home in an attempt to scare her. He has since admitted to hiring a fellow former police officer to do so. After further investigation, he has also confessed to all three deaths and the location of Damien's remains."

The reporters are now frenzied, each shouting questions and bumping each other in an attempt to get Ashton's attention. He ignores the barrage of voices, instead glancing over at Boo before continuing.

"Mr. Burkwell's official cause of death is blunt force trauma, with the manner of death as homicide. Funeral services will be held for him this coming Friday. He will be buried alongside his sister and parents. Martha Taylor will be reburied the same day in a joint ceremony, provided free of charge to her next-of-kin as a courtesy from the state."

Ashton faces Boo fully now, his expression bearing a gentle solemnity. "Melita, on behalf of the U.S. government, the state, the family of Damien and Hazel, and the city of Jack Creek, I would like to extend the deepest thanks, as well as my own personal gratitude, for your display of unwavering bravery and determination in the face of danger."

Boo is speechless. Not only for the generosity of a new, proper funeral for Martha, but for his words about her.

"T-Thank you," she stutters, not sure what else to say. He seems pleased with this little answer, turning back to face the reporters. Several people try to throw questions at her, but her eyes are on Harry as she returns to her hiding spot next to him at the back of the stage. His hand returns to hers, his fingertips trailing down her wrist before their palms meet.

"Stay with me tonight?" he whispers.

She nods, gripping him tightly. Her pulse moves in time with his; her heart beating for a love she knows she'll never have to fear for. It too beats for Martha, for Damien, and for every secret love never given the chance to bloom. "Always."