Emma sat on the ground, feeling her heartbeat quicken. It wasn't from the constant popping of fireworks that might make her go deaf, but they were finally going to face the final endgame. It all still didn't feel right, which she knew what was missing. If Esme had still been alive, she'd be dragging her all over the place and screaming at her. Jade would then freeze Esme's feet, planting her on plaza ground. However, that wasn't going to happen anymore.

She felt tears slide down her cheeks, brushing them away. She needed the grieving process over this, but she had to focus on the final battle. James and Jason were the exact same way, because neither had gotten the chance to grieve for someone they cared about.

She felt her nose pinched, causing her eyes to widen to look up at Will. "Got you," he teased. "You thought I was Bryce! I knew it!"

Emma felt her whole face had been burning. Will, who had given her a chocolate bar the day all of this started, said that they were free.

"We've never talked, and you've already had to deal with Mia's nonsense," Will said.

Mia yelled at him over the fireworks, but he stuck out his tongue. He was now lying on the broken road, his knee up.

"Plus, you've dealt with Eden, who can be as insane as Divina," he said.

Emma looked over to see Eden's eyes glowing at the sight of River nervously lighting the fireworks. Emma assumed he thought she'd take the lighter and start burning stuff, but there wasn't much to burn anymore.

"Just wanted to be alone," Emma mumbled.

Will tapped his cheek in thought, seeming to be looking for an answer. "You're not saddened Emma, right? The girl Bryce said cried all the time."

When you miss someone who's gone, it's an awful feeling. Just like when her mom died, she felt the same hollowness and sadness over her passing.

"Esme and Jade died so..." she trailed, wiping away a tear that fell.

"Oh damn, I didn't know, sorry," Will said.

Emma nodded as Nevaeh came walking over with her eyebrow raised.

"Who knew you'd talk to Will?" Nevaeh stated.

"She's dating Bryce, so I could help her with, like, uh..." he trailed off but seemed lost. "I mean, I could tell her funny stories. Okay, so one time when we were staying at a fancy hotel, it had a water park. So, I was waiting to go down the waterslide, but Bryce was in front of me. So I pushed him down the water slide before diving face-first into a man's chest."

Bryce never told her any of those stories. He has said he's stayed in different hotels multiple times for fun since the hotel staff often passed him as an adult. Yet, there was apparently the odd time Eden would get violent with the staff.

"It was all the same night he spit out chocolate milk all over Mia," Will laughed as he held his stomach.

Emma actually started to laugh, as Will grinned. She wasn't sure how such a story was actually distracting her from all the dread that was still arriving.

"He was so high once that he was acting like Mia. It was that—tripping over suitcases or banging into doors—since Eden was being herself. He literally despises sleeping with thick sheets. He whipped them at me for my water slide event," Will said. "I'm sure you've never heard any of this because Bryce doesn't like us teasing him about it!"

Bryce whipped around from pestering Mia. He actually looked scared for a moment before slowly walking over and slapping Mia in the side of the head.

"See," Will pointed out. "Bryce is a tease, but if you get under his skin, he hates having those memories brought up."

Bryce raised his eyebrows, looking between her and Will. She wondered why he seemed slightly nervous with his lips pressed together.

"Oh, I know what he despises the very most—one memory of truth or dare." Will started with a smirk. "Bryce had to kiss Mia."

This caused Bryce to swear and Mia to yell at him. Emma blinked multiple times, looping it back in her mind.

"We said we would never talk about that night!" Bryce spat.

"They were drunk," Will said, waving a hand. "Wait, maybe not."

That's one thing she didn't expect Bryce to have done in his ramblings of experience with the crackheads. There has been stealing, partying, trespassing, or even almost being arrested several times.

"I've kissed Eden before, so it really isn't much different," Will stated.

"Have you done that?" Nevaeh asked, letting the words hang.

Emma wasn't exactly sure what she had been referring to, but she spotted Eden's gaze landing on them.

"No, we aren't that dirty," Will stated.

Mia came stumbling over, causing her to pout.

"Well," Eden started, her innocent smile appearing. "It was a night with a lot of smoking pot and alcohol, so it's natural that wacky stuff happens."

Emma wasn't sure if she should take that as a good or bad thing. Most of the things that are spilled out of Eden's mouth are the truth.

"Um, there aren't many fireworks left," River said awkwardly. "So, if you guys want to light some," he was holding the lighter out, which Eden pounced to grab.

Nevaeh went over with Eden as Emma looked up at Bryce, whose lips were drawn in a tight line.

"Did I embarrass you enough?" Will laughed.

"Don't discuss what has happened between me and Mia," Bryce spat. "Now, go off and light a firework before Eden burns one of us."

Will dragged Mia away from the ground, kicking her legs like a needy child. Emma turned to look at Bryce, who sighed and sat across from her.

"I knew Will would probably tell you, since I'm not proud of it. You know how whacky I was like them, so I'll tell you what else," he started. "Before Will and Mia started sleeping with each other, I unfortunately made out with her twice. I was going to wait to tell you, but Will seems to enjoy spilling some secrets. I barely remember the nights, but I do remember screaming at each other in the morning."

"You should have listened to me, lovesick fool!" Eden yelled at him.

Emma noticed the way they called Bryce lovesick. Mia's done it since the beginning, which she didn't notice until Eden started calling him a fool. It probably had to do that Eden didn't feel love, according to Bryce.

Bryce put his hand on hers that was on the ground. "I just didn't want to drag my crazy memories to mess with your head," he said.

"I know you did a lot of crazy things then, so I don't have to be concerned about it," Emma said.

He's spilled a lot about his past, especially the Walmart incident or other times where he's stolen things from those house parties. None of it he ever sugarcoated, like explaining about the drug house parties.

He put his palm to her forehead as she looked up. "Don't worry, we don't have to do such an act, even when I was thirteen when that happened," he stated. "I'm not like Mia and Will, who have slept with more than one person."

Emma flushed red, but this wasn't just like hearing about Scarlett and Greyson's incident. This time, she didn't let it get to her because it was only making out.

"See, you've changed because you aren't letting it get to you," he said, leaning close to her lips.

"I changed?"

"Old Emma would be panicking or crying on the spot, but are you?"

Has she really changed during all of these ten months? Maybe it had been eleven, but she wasn't quite sure anymore.

"Well, you do still have your anxiety," he implied."And chew your lip in that cute way."

"They have," Mark said, walking over. "People have helped you grow."

Was it actually true? She befriended people she never imagined becoming friends with, along with trusting people blindly. People saved her from her immense breakdown, which could have ended her life.

"And old Emma would faint from exhaustion, since she's awful at self-care," Bryce implied with a cheeky grin, pulling back from her face. "Just like River, you learned to trust people, even after derailing."

River had learned that you can find love in friends whom you consider family. That's how the crackheads were, along with her friendship with those around her she considered close.

"Looks like we've got to go back," Will called. "Freaks are gathering around Zane and Cassandra."

Was it really that time already? It all seemed so quickly that she didn't expect. They kept all the fireworks and used sparklers as they drove back. Emma stayed quiet, but she had overwhelming thoughts running through her head. Who's going to help on the battlefield? What tricks will Ashley pull? Did Esme or Jade die first?

When they got back, all the crackheads went running as she rubbed her eyes. She didn't want to be bothered, even if someone tried asking her questions. If anyone asked, she shook her head and sat in a lawn chair near a barely burning fire.

She felt tears sliding down, surprisingly, that it was unexpected. She let out a shaky sigh, putting her head in her hands. Memories flashed in her mind, but she had to turn them off. She had to focus on the fight.

"Emma." She jolted, sitting up and seeing Greyson. She rubbed her eyes because he wasn't one that often came to her alone.

When was the last time? In her mind, it seemed ages ago because someone had always been present in the background. No, she remembered the last time they were alone. It was when she ended it with him, and he said to make sure to stay by his side. That would mean it has been about ten months since they had a true conversation alone.

"I don't know any other information. We just have to distract Ashley until Divina and Cassandra get enough powers," her voice cracked.

Greyson wasn't someone she wanted to talk to right now after everything that happened. She assumed it probably just had to do with something related to Ashley or Divina.

"Did someone die?" he blurted, as it caught her off guard.

The air was awkward enough that she noticed it herself. It has always been that way, which she didn't notice until after the breakup.

"Jade and Esme," Emma murmured, brushing away the fallen tears.

Greyson seemed surprised, which had been her exact response at first. How was it possible for Ashley to get Esme? Did she fall? There were so many unanswered questions, but Cassandra, Divina, and Ashley would be the only ones who knew.

"Listen, I wanted to say something," he started.

Emma blinked because the only things he'd say to her were mainly orders or compliments, the odd time when he had been using her back then.

"Since you've forgiven Scarlett, I should explain some parts," he stated. "The whole plot was for your healing abilities, however..."

Emma couldn't believe Greyson was actually saying something vulnerable to her for once. She couldn't even remember that happening once, unless it did and she couldn't remember.

"I did end up caring for a part of you," he breathed.

Emma stared, her eyes wide. It was like everything in her mind stopped for a moment, and the only focus was on the two of them. Cindy told her no feelings were attached, and they barely did anything romantic except hang out a few times.

"Sorry for treating you poorly as a person," he whispered.

Emma felt tears streaming down her cheeks. She cupped her hands over her mouth, her body actually trembling. This was something in her life she never expected to witness from him.

"It's okay, I forgave you," she whimpered. "It's just surprising because you're never like this at all."

It left her mixed with emotions of both disbelief and sadness as well as happiness.

"Yeah, just trying to express my feelings. This doesn't mean I want to be with you or anything," he implied. "It's just... change."

Emma didn't believe a day would come when Greyson would completely try and change. She thought maybe when he was older, but it left her mind in disarray.

"I think we have the announcement now," she said awkwardly.

He nodded as they walked separate ways of where the announcement would be. She stopped for a moment to look back, taking a breath and turning her head to walk away.

For the longest time, it always felt like she was trying to chase him up a hill but could never reach him. At one point, she slowly walked away until she fell down that hill into despair. Instead of chasing him like she has since the beginning of all this, she felt she could let go of that pain. No more running, even if it's rare in life to get closure from someone who broke you.

She knew she could do this because of the people around her. Those who picked her up off the ground when she could barely stand without tears sliding down her cheeks. If she didn't have those people, she still might be sitting in a hole of despair.

"I did it, Esme and Jade; I stopped chasing him," she murmured, wiping her cheeks of tears. "Thanks for giving me the strength and the fun memories, you two."

They sat around the fire as Cassandra stood with the freaks. Those from the plaza had made it back, as some lingered around the final plan. Cassandra had stared at the glowing fire before saying anything.

"Ashley doesn't have any powers left, while Divina is chasing her down. However, this is supposed to take place in the plaza. Divina and I need time to link our powers, which means freaks have to defend whatever she uses," Cassandra started. "I can't control most of the land, but I'd be taking power away when I join with Divina. Everyone can play apart, including non-freaks. Use whatever we have, but we need plans of locations people will go, since I know Jason and my father's power are an asset to harming Ashley."

Zane had to think through the list of who remained that could use their freak abilities. Will was eyes, along with Cindy, but they could fight. Angel, James, and Preston could both cause harm, along with Conner.

Emma could heal the injured, but she couldn't do much like Scarlett and River. Maybe Mallory, Bryce, and Eden could help, especially if Eden's back to her old behaviour.

"I recommend we have Angel, Eden, and James help with them, while others remain in different areas of the plaza," Zane implied.

Eden's hand automatically shot up, wearing an innocent smile. "I'm using weapons more than my powers," she said.

Eden's power was primarily like hypnosis, but Zane wasn't sure how that could last. If she could burn down a school, he wasn't going to have her sit on the sidelines.

"We want to avoid death, especially since we have been losing people to Ashley's harm," Cassandra grated, clutching her hands in fists. "I'm not going to let that thing kill any more of you. We'll win this fight."

People went separate ways to talk as Zane watched Cassandra chew her pinkie nail.

"When are we going?" Conner asked, having his hand in his sweatpants pocket.

"The first five will be the ones leaving first, it seems," Zane said.

Mia came stumbling toward them, pointing a finger before laughing. "You send Eden off so she doesn't burn down the campsite like Ashley?"

For them witnessing getting out of this, Mia didn't seem concerned at all.

"I sent her more for her destructive nature," Zane stated.

"I can't believe that saint was as bad as you, Mia," Yara said.

"I just sell drugs, and Bryce always says my mind lives in space. Eden yells at me a lot because she always wants to be in charge."

"How can you even get drugs?" Yara asked.

"Because I'm hot," Mia implied, sticking out her tongue. "Isn't that the obvious answer? I'm not some street crackhead that begs."

"She used to wear bras and underwear as the only way," Bryce snarked.

Zane felt a sick feeling in his stomach, imagining a girl in nothing but undergarments, buying drugs from adults.

"You think I'd get attacked, but that's what Eden and the boys are for," Mia said.

One thing Zane knew when he put this group together was they worked well in a chaotic way. They may slack off and probably all burned down Uden Academy, but at least they knew how to pose a distraction.

"We have to focus on what's happening now," Zane stated.

Zane tried to think over this situation because, overall, the real battle wouldn't occur until Divina and Cassandra joined their powers. Most of them were being sidelined to help with whatever Ashley pulled on their leg.

"We have to bring Emma, because she might still have that second power," Zane stated. "We have the first out, but we have to move quickly if this is really starting."

He didn't expect it all to happen this quickly. Would they actually leave this horrid place? If so, what happens next? How many court sessions are they expecting, especially because laws were still in order?

"So, we're sending people while Cassandra and Divina get ready for their power to kill Ashley?" Conner inquired.

Zane wasn't sure if they were lying about dying, but that does mean Bella's body disappears. This place has been filled with death. Somehow, those he expected to walk out with didn't survive.

"Hopefully the rest of us survive; we all get arrested or charged," Conner muttered.

Would they blame Ashley or Divina's crimes on them? It's not that they have much proof other than some pictures from phones that died ages ago. The government is not going to do much other than charge for destruction of the whole town.

Zane looked around as Mark approached him. He held up a rifle in hand, while James and Nevaeh were at his side.

"The second group will be preparing with him and Will," Mark pointed at Conner.

They had an underground plan that would be a sneak attack. However, Will may help but Zane did not know the boy well. Half the time he was running around with Mia or yelling at Bryce.

"Let's hope this goes well," Zane firmed. Conner walked away with the group as he turned to Yara. "We'll have Cindy bop Scarlett and Emma, while River and Nevaeh go with a few. Nelson actually wants to help."

"That's shocking considering he hasn't done much," Yara gasped.

Nelson hasn't done much since the beginning of running Party Culture or Burger King before they were both destroyed by the wind during the storm. He was often a farmer now that helped grow crops with the seed they found around.

Yara looked around because everyone was just loading up to all fight, despite if they were freaks or not. Cassandra was going to locate Divina and the others were just gearing up.

"The final endgame is about to begin," he said.

It will be between life and death because nobody knows what Ashley will do, especially Cassandra.

They drove in a car with Greyson driving, as Eden sat in the passenger seat up front. She had her legs on the dashboard, smirking.

"I do something eventful with your housewife, and now I get the honour with the soldier," Eden jabbed.

She glanced into the back where Jason and Angel both sat. "I don't think we're blowing up cars," Jason said dryly. "And I'm not in the mood to get drugged today either."

"It was quite fun setting Uden on fire. We saw a police officer and passed the blame on Ashley," Eden stated. "They can't blame us when they didn't see a thing."

There was nothing the police could put blame on for burning down Uden Academy. Ashley already burned down the town and already created chaos, so they'd get away with that crime easily.

"I think there were still hidden fireworks to light, according to Highlighter," Eden implied.

"That thing will probably give us walking trees," Greyson said. "That means Eden will be shooting off the fireworks."

"Don't you think—" Jason started.

"I'm causing the destruction, so no, soldier," Eden spat, whipping around to glare at him. "You've seen me slam Luke with a golf club or heard about me drugging your housewife. So, let me do my destruction before jail."

She knew she was going to jail, even if it wasn't for this whole event. The police will probably start digging into their pasts and actually arrest them for crimes they committed.

"Is your Jesus behaviour a facade then?" Jason spat.

"It's always been a facade. Playing the innocent card and being able to achieve my goals always worked best. It's true, I used to be extremely violent."

Playing the innocent card gets you away with anything. In movies and television shows, characters always felt bad for either the trastic backstory or the girl who was kind to everyone. They don't research in depth what truly happened or why she'd change her personality.

She studied characters through teenage drama shows, watching the different personalities like those in this bubble. She watched those who had huge egos or always wanted to be a superhero, but that wouldn't do. So, she had to think outside the box when she walked by a religious group classroom and saw them reading bible verses.

Extreme violence was something she always used to use because you could get everything easier that way. If someone made a comment, she could shove people into lockers or onto the floor. It wasn't wrong because people needed to get what they deserved.

"You attempted to push a vending machine on Luke," Greyson said dryly.

She hated Luke as much as he hated her. After he pushed her down one of the side staircases, she decided she needed a different approach. She spotted a vending machine in the halls, so during one of the conflicts she decided to push it on him. He ended up dodging, but they both got sent to detention.

"Half the time we were high or partying, but we didn't normally do our events on campus. The headmistress always got pissed," she sighed. "Scarlett used to say my head is as messed up as Luke's, which could be true."

The first time she fought him, it was her first week of being at Uden, and the hall had been crowded. She bumped Luke against the wall, which caused him to push her hard to the ground. In the fight, she ended up with a broken nose and black eyes.

"I was taught to fight, so it doesn't matter to me," Eden said. "And where's my thank you, soldier? Did I not do you a favour?"

"For what?" he asked, seeming confused by what she meant.

"Sending your housewife to reform when she was alive," Eden said, smirking. "You're lucky Bryce knew where the drug house was, or you would have never gotten that letter. I did cure her controlling behaviour, did I not? You're probably pissed because I knew about the host situation, which I knew the second we found out."

It was easy to figure out based on her guilt she held but never confronted. It wasn't that she was playing her as a pawn, even if that was her overall intention. It was a way to exploit the truth while gaining some information on the side.

"I don't care if I didn't do much in the beginning, but I got to prove my correction points. After all, drugging is fine when you get a point across," she implied with a grin.

Drugging has always been a way to get people to listen. They had done that to people in Sanguine when they needed cash or were plotting to kill someone.

"That unhinged personality stems from the fact that I don't have to wear the true facade of just the Catholic girl," Eden remarked.

Greyson stopped quickly near town as he opened his door and started walking. When she looked through the cracked glass, all around them still appeared broken and crispy. It looked like someone had taken a blowtorch and burned the whole town with it. Eden liked blowtorches, but they didn't have any here.

"I don't see them," Jason remarked.

Eden opened the car door carefully, holding the gun at her hip. She felt like James Bond from all the action movies. She used to always make them watch them when they were high, almost like their comfort movies.

"There," Greyson said.

Eden spotted the creature from the side of the car, and it wasn't even human. Ashley walked slowly, looking around on high alert. Maybe she wouldn't do something with the earth, but something else.

"Wait, what's that?" Angel whispered from the line they crouched in.

Ashley tugged on something from a distance, but it was hard to tell from the darkness. It was a weakness of Ashley having trouble finding them all.

"They're missiles," Greyson whispered. "Which means we have to destroy them before she fires them."

Eden felt a thrill inside her system. Missiles were just like setting fires to buildings or cars, which meant she may be able to set them herself at Ashley.

"Eden, do you have a lighter?" Greyson asked, as she held up the red lighter. "Jason and I will focus on destroying them, while you two will distract her."

"If that doesn't work, we'll let you shine, Eden," Jason said.

Eden felt her body soar with excitement. She hoped she would be able to burn those missiles into dust.

Old Eden is revealing more of herself and Greyson finally apologized to Emma.

What do you think Ashley wants to do with those missiles?