In the plaza, Angel let out a long sigh. Smoke drifted through the air, carrying the bitter smell of ash and melted plastic. Buildings lay in ruins around him, some collapsed into rubble while others still smouldered from old fires.

Deep crack split the streets apart, and toppled hydro poles lay across the pavement like broken toys.

"What will happen now? So you think Cassandra and Divina can beat Ashley?" Mallory asked anxiously, as she waved her arms around.

"From our information, we defeat Ashley from all the harm she has caused," Angel said acidly.

There was much harm that Ashley had created in this place. He vividly remembered the holes and fires in the beginning on the streets. One of the most memorable incidents was the attack by Luke when Angel still volunteered to help there. There was also the storm that followed, bringing with it illness, severe, burns, freezing temperatures, and no electricity.

Angel's mind drifted back to the daycare. Almost none of the volunteers were still alive. Ilya and Layla had been the only ones holding things together. A sharp ache struck his chest at the memory of what had happened to them.

"Do we wait around until someone comes? We have to figure out what's happening," Mark asked, breaking the silence.

Angel exhaled slowly. His hands wouldn't stop shaking, even after he clenched them into fists.

"It probably has to do with whatever Jason is doing," he said.

He glanced around the ruined plaza. Greyson and Jason were out there somewhere, tracking Ashley—but that meant they might return straight into the chaos of the final endgame.

"So, we watch more people die?" Mallory asked.

The mere idea of witnessing more lives lost was unbearable, especially considering the horrors they had experienced in this wretched place. He hadn't personally witnessed those afflicted by the illness die—his memories were haunted instead by the attack on the daycare, Ilya's overdose, and the alarming number of children who had fallen sick with the flu.

"Then there'll be charges, court hearings, and jailing," Mark replied flatly.

Angel looked across scanned the dark plaza. The air felt still, broken only by the distant crackle of burning wood somewhere deeper in town. Near the park, shallow graves lined the hard ground, the dirt piled unevenly beside them.

"Am I going to jail for the microwave thing?" Mallory asked. "It accidentally blew up and we threw it off the island."

"I thought you guys cleaned it up?" Mark inquired. "Or did you leave it because River said it's okay to keep the place trashed?"

"We did put another microwave in place," Mallory explained, taking stiff steps backwards and stopping a fair distance away from them. "I know that you have to poke a fork in the potato."

Angel spotted the dim headlights of a car cutting through the darkness as Mallory sprinted at them.

Emma then leaped out of the car like her life depended on it.

Nevaeh leaned out the passenger window with her tongue out.

"Merry Christmas!" Nevaeh exclaimed with a laughed.

Mallory squinted at her. "But... it's March?"

Emma held a box of fireworks tightly, her eyes scanning the label as if it might explode.

"We're doing fireworks,"  Nevaeh said. "Before anything else happens."

No one answered immediately.

Mallory stared at the box in silence. "Why?"

Nevaeh looked toward the ruined town before answering.

"Because this sucks."

River shone his own power, making some measure of light around the darkness.

"I think Cassandra's making it harder for Ashley to see," James remarked. "However, there is still the struggle of actually finding her."

Angel pinched his lips together as he reached for one of the sparklers in the narrow boxes. They kept unloading more boxes while trying to come up with a direct solution for what would happen in the next few hours or days.

"Wait, we could have set off fireworks?" Mallory exclaimed.

"Wouldn't you blow up the house?" Mark teased.

"I want to see a meteor shower," River stated, looking at the dark sky. "Fireworks would be pretty, but I've never seen one in my life. Maybe when we get out we might see one, if we don't get charged."

Angel didn't think he'd get charged, but he had caused harm to Luke, who was killed by Greyson. Did that count as death? Luke was a follower, and they weren't humans, but zombies or even illusions like Divina.

"Mia has said repeatedly that you'll get the money if you win the court hearing," Nevaeh implied, leaning against the black car. "Since you don't have a father or siblings, everything goes to you. And we know how much you want to live as a normal teenager, even though you're a highlighter."

As Angel turned around, he noticed the glaring headlights of a truck approaching in the distance. He squinted against the brightness and wondered whether everyone had decided to meet up in the plaza. Then again, it was safer to group with other people, rather than going alone where murder normally happens.

"Eden blew up Uden! Woohoo!" Will cheered, leaping out the open window of the truck.

Nobody reacted at first.

Even Mallory looked disturbed.

Mia swung the truck door to join in on his cheering. "We're not going to jail! We're not getting charged!" she shouted, jumping around with Will. "Not getting caught today!"

Angel stared blankly at Eden, who pushed up her blue sunglasses. This girl wasn't the saint everyone assumed she had been on her road of religion.

"Are you insane?" Mallory exclaimed. "That's like burning down the CN Tower!"

Eden seemed unfazed by the gravity of the situation and showed no remorse for her actions. It was if she had no sense of guilt for destroying people's belongings or even the thousands of dollars invested in the school. She was like a devil in disguise, hiding behind her innocent smile, and her knowledge of Bible verses.

"Eden has always been the most insane," Bryce chimed in with a cheeky grin. "She actually did us a favour burning it down. And it wasn't even Mia's idea."

He then walked over to Emma, who had wide eyes and kissed the top of her head.

"You have fireworks!" Mia exclaimed, eagerly opening the box.

She pulled out a lighter. Angel snapped his fingers, killing gravity under her feet. She slammed to the ground on the asphalt. The lighter landed on the dirt away from her.

"I always forget that Angel has that power," Bryce remarked. "Use it more often on Mia. She runs off like a dog when she sees something that seems amazing, even though it's not."

Mia struggled to get up, but Angel's power still held her down. He had learned to use his power without fear, whether it was in a fight or to control a girl who might set something on fire.

"Vete a la mierda! Estaba haciendo algo útil," Mia swore in Spanish. "Let me go!" She tried to move her head, but it was no use.

Angel approached her and tried to move her fingers. "Entonces, no juegues con el encendedor," he scolded.

Mia gritted her teeth in frustration, trying to nod in agreement, but she was still unable to move. Angel loosened the invisible force on her and groaned.

"Mia actually knows how to speak another language? Did it actually sound correct? Because I don't know Spanish," Bryce stated.

"I don't speak it because we speak English here, duh. I know Malay since my mom is originally from Singapore. I also know Portuguese. Plus, I could swear without Mallory hearing my words," Mia remarked, sticking out her tongue. She jumped to her feet, still holding some of the fireworks in hand.

"We should set them away from the cars, because we don't want more things to burn," Mark said.

Angel's eyes darted to Eden. She twirled a lighter in her fingers, the small flame casting eerie shadows across her face. Her gaze shifted from the sparkle boxes to the nearby car, and every flicker made Angel's chest tighten.

"Don't do it, Eden," Emma pleaded, looking like she'd combust from the stress of this situation.

Angel swallowed hard, his palms sweating. Even standing back, he could feel the danger in Eden's casual movements.

"Fine," Eden agreed.

Angel bent down, grabbing Mia's lighter from the ground. His fingers trembled slightly, but the sparkler flared to life in his hand.

"Light the fireworks!" Mia shouted, her excitement cutting through the tension.

James carefully lined up the fireworks near the ruins of the church.

Angel's gaze drifted to the crumbling walls and ash-strewn ground. Just ten months ago, this had been a thriving town. Now, it was unrecognizable. The weight of what had been lost pressed on him even as the sparkler flickered, defying the darkness.

James looked back at Eden nervously. "You burned it down?"

Eden twisted an unlit cigarette between her fingers and smirked, giving him a slow nod.

"What good will it be when this is over? Most students have died, and parents aren't going to send students there," she replied.

Before Eden could elaborate on her thoughts, Angel walked away. He watched as vibrant red and golden fireworks burst in the sky, illuminating the surroundings with dazzling colours.

"This is the big finish," Emma said beside him. She smiled, her eyes still bloodshot. "You know, you've been a hero too, Angel."

Angel knitted his brows together, since he'd consider himself more of a helper than a hero. It's not that he was always saving or maintaining things like Zane or Jason.

"If you hadn't known about the seizure information, Ilya might have died earlier. Not only that, but others at the daycare could have also died," Emma said, her voice trembling.

Angel didn't answer immediately.

The fireworks reflected in his eyes as another explosion lit the sky.

He had spent so long hiding his knowledge, thinking it made him strange. But here, someone noticed. Pride flickered im his chest. For once, he felt seen.

It had often been something he was judged for or even bullied.

"Hanna knows more than me, but you did help Mallory protect herself," Emma said, nervously cracking her fingers. "I mean, I'm just not sure if you noticed or thought about it, so I wanted to point it out. I hope it doesn't bother you."

Angel smiled and shook his head. "It doesn't bother me. I never expected to go from being a babysitter to trying to destroy this thing," he said. "But it's not over yet. We still have to wait for the final battle."

"And even then, we don't know what will happen," she whispered over the loud fireworks, tears streaming down her cheeks. "We might still die, but it's all about when we fight. Cassandra will probably have to find Divina or Ashley, or she'll come looking for us to fight."

Greyson and Jason had given up on the table, frustrated with the lack of control of it. As they walked down the highway, they saw the glowing fireworks lighting up the plaza. It seemed like a strange time for celebration, considering they were about to face their final battle.

The two of them walked through an empty field, with Greyson leading the way and Jason following behind. Their main objective was to find Divina or Ashley, based on some recent information.

"If that thing is knocked out by Divina, we'd have to locate Cindy, because this isn't a single battle," Greyson said, flashing the light around.

Jason froze mid-step, his chest tightening as the glow of the flashlight landed on a figure. For a heartbeat, he thought it was Bella, but he knew it wasn't. His stomach knotted, and he bit his lip to stop a whimper from escaping.

Then she snapped away, grinning with a cruel smile. Jason's hands instinctively clenched into fists, his knuckles white. His heart slammed in his chest.

"Did you hear? I got my powers back," she sneered, jumping back to her feet.

Divina dragged something from the dirt by what used to be a collar of grass.

Ashley stumbled into view—breathing, but barely holding the shape of a person anymore.

Jason's stomach tightened.

"People saw this idiot being humiliated," Divina laughed. "Since its weak, I snapped its right arm. Soon, we'll get to see this god die into nothing but ash. God's plan failed and left it weak, as always."

Ashley glared up at Divina before she smashed her foot on Ashley's neck. She screamed and thrashed, trying to free herself from Divina.

"So, our main goal is Cassandra?" Jason asked, trying to organize his thoughts.

"You'll still need your other freaks that are alive," Divina said, smirking. "It's not all that simple, right?"

"I thought it was a quick process?" Greyson questioned.

Divina yanked the last hair from Ashley's head. She screamed, clutching her scalp, and Jason had to turn his gaze away, choking back the urge to throw up.

Divina's laugh cut through the darkness. "Battles aren't instant. We build our power slowly... while you scramble to counter whatever God pulls."

Jason's heart hammered. Ashley might still have some of her abilities left, but he couldn't risk guessing. Cassandra was holding the battlefield together, her powers shadowing even Divina's. One wrong move and everything could collapse.

"You have a light display showing, which can blind this thing's vision. If you explain that to Zane, he'll know what to do next," Divina said.

Jason looked at Greyson, but his eyes narrowed at the sight in front of them. He had a deep question in mind, one he wanted to ask but felt he shouldn't.

"What would have happened if Cassandra wasn't born?" Jason trailed off.

Deep down, he braced himself for a response that wasn't going to be a good answer.

Bella's face kept a sadistic smile with eyes gleaming in malice. It was hard that the girl he loves dearly was no longer the same person standing in front of him.

Instead, she was transformed into a monster filled with evil.

"I would have brought someone else into this place," Divina replied coolly. "You may have also died by now, but it's not my concern."

Jason felt a sickly feeling in his stomach because Scarlett having a baby was considered something fantastic. Not in the supernatural powers or her growing rate, but having a freak that saved them from death.

"I'd blame that human who created this once you get out. Heather may be dead, since Cassandra got very mad," Divina snickered with a wink. "That daughter of yours is quite protective of you, Greyson."

Jason felt his heart race because he didn't know that Cassandra had the ability to harm those close to the bubble. Maybe there was even more power in her that she just didn't show around others.

"How about we have this final showdown in the plaza? Does that seem like a great fit, God?" Divina taunted, kicking Ashley in the side.

Ashley looked close to death herself, like she had with all her broken or burned places on her body. She mumbled something, but Divina kept a smile.

"God agrees as well. I'll drag this thing, unless it escapes, but that won't happen. Plus, you have your display in the sky and have to make a plan," Divina laughed, running off in the opposite direction.

Jason blinked, looping all the information in his mind. This wasn't going to be simple, even with all of Ashley's powers gone.

"Back to camp," Greyson dryly said before Cindy appeared. "Showdown is at the plaza."

Cindy looked around the dark area, seeming to search for someone. She nodded, holding a piece of paper in her hand. Jason wondered if there had been some plan Zane created for the final ending.

"I'll teleport you back," she said. She took Greyson first before returning for himself in his trailer. She handed him a folded sheet of paper as he knitted his eyebrows together.

"This is from Bella; I forgot to give it," Cindy said as she held it out. Jason widened his eyes, slowly grabbing it from her hands. "I know what it says, since she was the one that gave it to me that day."

With that, Cindy teleported away, leaving Jason alone. The flickering lantern on the small table cast shadows across the wall as he leaned closer, hoping to draw more flame. He took a deep breath and opened the letter that Bella left behind.

Jason:

By the time you read this, my soul will be gone, or however it works. Maybe, but I'm guessing Divina doesn't want some mutant. Anyway, I'm so sorry about everything I did with using you for my status. If this got you freedom, I'd be okay with it. Don't get discouraged about this because you still need to beat the person who started this all.

I know your mind is still swimming with questions. My choice is because I deserve to die, despite everything. One day, when we meet again, hopefully you'll forgive me for everything I've done. I really did love you.

Love,

Bella

Jason's hands shook as he held the letter.

The paper felt unnaturally cold against his fingertips.

He didn't move for a long time.

Not even when the lantern flickered.

Bella's words didn't even feel like writing—they felt like something being taken away twice.

His grip tightened as the edges of the paper bent.

"I really did love you."

The line stayed in his head.

He blinked rapidly, trying to hold back tears, but one slipped down his cheek.

He swallowed hard, his stomach twisting, and pressed the letter against his chest.

Confronting Bella when she had appeared as an illusion had been painful enough, but this felt worse. If there weren't words spoken, he'd been left with this letter that made his chest ache.

Looking at the back of the paper, it was blank. It was only one sheet of paper, just like he was given when Bryce showed him the breakup letter. He thought he could focus on fighting Ashley, but he still needed the time to handle Bella's whole death. However, he had to keep it in the backseat. If he is distracted, it could pose danger.

Just then, Cindy appeared back in his trailer, both hands at her sides while staring at him.

"How much did you know?" Jason finally asked, his voice muffled.

"All of her thoughts. Nevaeh would expose Bella's thoughts when she first discovered," she stated. "According to Bella, she didn't want you to know. All of it was supposed to remain a secret, only with a letter. I knew she'd make the choice before it became an option."

He knitted his eyebrows, as he didn't quite know how that was possible. Nobody knew the host body was going to be the situation until the storm had stopped months ago.

"Guilt does two things to people," Cindy said quietly. "It either makes people protect what they care about... or destroy themselves trying to fix what they've already done."

She glanced at him.

"The golden king and golden queen lost everything here."

A pause.

"Guilt led Stick to protect Mallory, even if it cost his life," Cindy continued. "Bella's guilt was directed toward you and herself."

Cindy averted her eyes to the side.

"It's just how me and Bella's grief differed. I turned cold and Bella hung for support."

She looked at him again.

"It's like Stick and Bella knew they had to die for what they were doing."

Jason never thought of it all that way, even when Bella explained. Stick saved Mallory's life, while Bella gave them all a chance to leave this place.

"They saved people, even when they only cared about themselves before this started," she sighed. "Clean yourself up, because I'm sure Zane wants to speak with you," she teleported away.

Jason ran a hand over his face, letting out a shaky sigh. The distant crackle of fireworks reminded him that the plaza was waiting—the final battle. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his racing thoughts. Esme and Jade flickered in his mind like shadows he couldn't reach. There wasn't time to dwell. He had to focus.

In the new Foodland, Preston sat against a rack of snacks, staying invisible.

A girl named Phoebe stormed down the snack aisle and stopped right in front of him.

"Stop eating the food! We're supposed to be transporting it!" she snapped.

Hands on her hips, she didn't move an inch, just stared him down like she expected him to apologize on the spot.

She was in the seventh grade, with uneven cut black hair and brown skin. She was dressed in a grey shirt and muddy pink leggings.

"I'm watching it," he replied coolly.

In general, his body was still sore from what had happened with one of Ashley's followers. There, he had witnessed Talia and Maverick get fried. The only option became that he had to get back before he got killed.

Preston should be helping with the freaks, but they need more help here.

"Just bring some boxes!" she exclaimed, storming away.

With a groan, he stood and grabbed four boxes of fruit snacks from a nearby shelf. He shuffled toward the front of the store, where a small group was already gathering supplies—everyone still worried Ashley might find a way to burn this place down too.

Oscar came down from the chip aisle, his eyebrows furrowed.

"You're still invisible," he said.

Preston glanced down, sighed and flickered back into view.

At least there was someone around here he could talk to—most of the girls avoided him whenever he tried to say anything remotely nice.

"This food thing is boring," Oscar added. "Weapons would've been faster."

Preston didn't like it either, since he would rather be on the island if anything. Sure, the warmth has returned, but they didn't have hydro here.

"It's better than dying," Preston implied.

Although his power was still useful, most of the store remained drowned in darkness except for the faint light leaking beyond the barrier.

"I'm glad Eden finally burned down, Uden," Oscar said. "That wreckage needed to go."

Everyone blamed Ashley for the fire. Preston almost did too, until he remembered how unstable Eden was.

She had been the real mastermind, unless all those crackheads decided to light it on fire.

As the two made their way toward the front entrance, they spotted Yara through the automatic doors near the checkout lanes.

The store's front had beige walls with a green border in the middle, near the meat department that had been raided.

They both began loading boxes filled with food into the back of the car.

One older boy named Kay casually leaned against the car, his shaggy hair covering his face as he bounced a small ball off the window. Each time it hit, it would bounce back and fall to the ground.

"You'll probably break the window if you do that," Oscar said.

"It's calming," Kay said, bouncing the ball once more before catching it.

He stared at the car window.

"When this started, I was one of the people collecting dead infants."

No one spoke.

"I may not be a freak," Kay continued quietly, "but I'm scared of what my parents will think of me."

"Then don't go back to them," Oscar stated.

"Are you crazy? They'd disown me if I did that!" Kay exclaimed, beginning to pace. "I can't even imagine their faces. They wanted me to get perfect grades and go to university."

Kay dragged both his hands through his saggy hair, continuing to pace around the car.

Preston watched him for a moment before sighing.

He didn't care what his parents would do. He would probably be sent home to attend some school wherever his parents lived now, since his dad would get job transfers often due to working in construction.

"Dude, you seriously need to sit still," he said. "You're starting to act like Emma when she gets overwhelmed."

Cindy then appeared in front of them, both her arms crossed. "Is the food on its way?" she asked, looking around.

"Pretty sure Yara is finishing most of it," Oscar spoke.

Cindy slowly nodded her head, pressing her lips together.

"We know insane Eden burned down Uden," Preston stated.

Most Uden Academy people knew Eden was crazy like Luke.

"The fireworks are pretty," Preston said with a grin. "Not as pretty as you, though."

Cindy rolled her eyes.

It was in one of those cheesy compliments he'd picked up from an old magazine he found on the island—the kind that ranked the "best lines to impress someone," which didn't work.

Kay began to pace around the car again, his movements catching Cindy's attention.

A moment later, Yara walked through the front doors with a girl named Grace beside her, both carrying supplies.

"You all have to get back because it's time," Cindy stated.

Preston didn't want to return to the campground. The final showdown with ugly Ashley was coming. That meant he'd step foot into the real world after months.

"Already?" Yara mumbled.

"Wait, we are actually getting out? No bullshit or anything?" Oscar asked.

Preston felt the same doubt creeping in. It was happening too fast. First food, then the barrier falls, then whatever came after that. Hospital. Court. Questions.

"I'm so excited," Preston said dryly. "I wonder if my parents will care enough to come. Then again, barely any families came to family day."

Preston eyed Oscar, who knew exactly what he meant. Those that went to Uden Academy weren't going to be welcomed with warm arms, unless they had a parent that cared.

"That's if our parents look at us the same way," Cindy grumbled.

Kay had gone silent for a second.

Then his voice cracked.

"Wait... they won't what?"

"Look at us the same way?" Cindy said flatly.

Kay's dark eyes widened. "They won't?"

"Just hurry back," Cindy said, bopping away.

They stood still for a moment before Preston hoisted himself onto the car roof, balancing carefully on the edge of the hold. Yara stared at him in confusion.

"I'm not squishing myself in there," Preston declared. "Last time I got stuck under Stick in the trunk, and I couldn't feel my legs."

When he was forced to go to the power plant, their car battery had died. This resulted in over eight of them being in a car that was fit for five. This meant he was thrown in the trunk when he was invisible, but Stick didn't realize. Back then, Stick wasn't a stick anymore.

"Let's see how many more of us die," Oscar bleakly said. He tried to push his way into the stuffed car, which resulted in him on the floor.

Kay and Grace attempted to find a seat in the stuffed vehicle.

"Get down before you fall off and crack your skull open," Yara said.

With a groan, Preston climbed back down and squeezed in the passenger seat, staring out the window at the fireworks still glowing in the sky.

The final endgame is arriving. Prepare yourself because who knows if more death will arrive.

Plus we finally got to see Bella's final letter to Jason.