"I WILL KILL HER! I WILL KILL HER FOR MAKING YOU LEAVE ME!" Allen wailed, pressing the gun ever harder to Regina's head.

Matt gritted his teeth, eyes narrowed as the reality of it all sunk in. Al would stop at nothing to ensure the end to his loneliness.

"A-Al... you have to let go of your pain-"

"It's too fucking late for that, Matt!" he screamed back."You deserted me for her, left me in that shithole to fend for myself, left me alone."

You watched your family with a pained expression, for the first time truly feeling bad for Allen. Matt must have really hurt him all those years ago.

"Just put her down, we can talk about this-"

"Not a chance."

"Al, listen to me!"

"NO!" He said, clicking the gun and making Matt flinch. "Make you're choice!"

Matt quickly stepped forward, shaking his head. He glanced back at the house, and you knew he was wishing he had his hockey stick. At least then he'd stand a chance against his brother.

Allen was quick, jerking away from Matt as he reached for the gun and Regina. "DON'T MAKE ME!" he hollered, pointing the gun at his own brother now. "Matt... don't make me kill you too..."

"You're insane..." Matt said sadly, shaking his head slowly. "You'll only end up more alone than ever..."

"I... I don't care! At least I won't have someone like you who betrayed me, left me behind, around anymore," he growled.

"Al, reconsider this!" Matt begged one more time, watching Regina dangle in Allen's grasp.

But his red-eyed brother only shook his head, shuddering from the cold and anger. "No... It's much too late, brother." He blinked, retaking his aim at Matt. "... Goodbye brother."

There was a loud bang.

You screamed.

And then, a body thudded to the ground.

You dropped Allen's pistol into the snow.

You were panting, and you knew you'd be sweating if it wasn't snowing. Before you stood an utterly shocked Matt and Regina unconscious in his arms. Below them, staining the snow with red was Allen, his chest marked with a bullet from his own gun.

You'd shot him. And it scared you.

As Matt looked forlornly down at the body of his brother you shook from cold and shock, feeling scared and sick to your stomach. You'd just point blank shot your uncle, and it disturbed you more than you'd expected. All you could do was hope that you'd done what was right in order to protect Matt and Regina.

"M-M... Matt...?" you stuttered as tears started pouring down your cheeks. "I... I'm so sorry, I... I couldn't let him hurt you."

Matt slowly turned, his own cheeks stained with thin tear trails, and nodded before saying very softly, "I understand, Chickadee. You did what needed to be done. I'm sorry it had to be you to do it..." he said, coming up to you with Regina rested against his chest. "How about we go inside, okay? You and Regina need to warm up. I'll... I'll take care of Allen."

Matt laid Regina in his recliner beside the fireplace and pulled up a dining chair for you, draping blankets over both your freezing bodies. He then departed from the house for some time before finally returning a long while later. The sun had begun coming up by the time he returned to the house, nose red and eyes weary from tears.

As he busied himself making something warm to drink in the kitchen, you crept up from your little squeaky wooden chair and slipped your boots back on and stepped outside. To your shock, you found a mound beside the cabin. Matt had somehow managed to bury Allen in the tundra and create a wooden headstone for him.

It read simply:
           Al
A lonely man

You didn't linger long there. Perhaps the time would come that you'd be willing to remain there and contemplate. Now wasn't the time. You still felt numb from all that had occurred.

Stepping back inside, you had a hard time holding back at least a little smile. Matt had moved to the recliner, Regina laying shivering in his lap. Her head lay on his chest, his nose pressed into her hair and kissed her head over and over. He seemed to be mumbling something, but you didn't dare get close enough. You didn't want to interrupt Matt.

For now, everyone just needed to soak up the reality of things and calm down. You retreated to the bedroom, throwing yourself under the covers and curled up. Nothing had ever made you feel this way, so sick and sad and yet relieved. Perhaps a bit guilty.

But overall, you just hoped that wherever Allen was now that he wasn't alone.

~~~~
For those of you who have been asking/assuming, my apologies for not making this clear!... This is not the end of the book yet! There is another chapter on the way! :D I had finals, graduation, and much going on since and haven't had the time to write the finale. Again, my apologies, and please continue to be patient with me! Thank you! ^^