The attention of the young reporter is instantly drawn to the group emerging from the school building. They stand together, in front of the doors, hand in hand. There is a boy standing in the middle of them, tall, his messy blonde hair almost covering his face. A stunned silence falls on the crowd, he smiles, as though he had never known sanity. The people around him stared on, straight-faced, as though they had never known any emotions. The central boy slowly begins to raise his arms, a blood-stained bat firmly in his grasp.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he begins, speaking loudly enough so that everybody could hear his testimony, "boys and girls. You are the witnesses of a prestigious event. An event that is perhaps likely to shape the future, I have no doubt about that. After suffering for days, weeks, months, years- probably decades, we have decided to say no. No, to the wretched people in our lives, and therefore purifying ourselves so that we might live a better life. We, suggest that you do the very same, so that we can all receive our salvation, together." He said, the people standing around him stood in silence. They had heard his speech time and time again, respecting it more and more.

"Put the weapon down young man. Or we will use force." An older officer shouted to the blonde-haired boy; he began to laugh, shaking his head.

"You don't get it, do you? This- this weapon, it saved my life, my family's lives. It brought on my family's salvation. They're safe now. They'll never have to be afraid again. Thanks to this, they'll never be abused again-"

"Beckett! Drop the bat, please! I'm begging you baby, please, for momma, please!" A blonde-haired woman begins to scream, begging, as an officer hurries over to her. She begins to scream louder, as a younger office begins to herd her young children towards a police car. The woman becomes hysterical, trying to break free from the two officers that are now holding her back.

The blonde-haired boy cocks his head to the side, watching as the woman is dragged further and further away from him. She stops, exhausted, sobbing as her son stares blankly at her. "Son. You have five seconds to drop that weapon, or we will shoot." The officer says firmly, the boy's attention is turned to him. He lowers his arms, only to return his gaze to his mother.
"Five." He begins.
The boy's grip on the bat remains strong, his hung rubbing along the flat end. He makes eye contact with his mother, cocking his head to the side again.
"Four."
He takes his lip between his mouth for a moment or so, dragging his teeth along the skin. The teenagers standing at the side of him remain silent, holding hands, awaiting the finale to end the night.
"Three."
His mother began to scream again, but the sounds from her mouth were inaudible. The boy raises his hand to his lips, slowly moving it away, blowing her a kiss.
"Two."
He turns to face the police car filled with his younger siblings, their faces pressed against the window. The older of the four appears to be crying, the blonde-haired boy waves goodbye to him.
"One."
He turns back to face the officer, his hands raised to the sky again. He stands as though he's about to be crucified, his arms outstretched, his head looking up to the night sky. He notices no stars, no clouds, just the deep blue colour that bathes him.
"Zero."

Six triggers are pulled; neck, shoulder, leg, chest, stomach. His body is adulterated with the harsh metal of the bullets, he remains in the same standing position. His mother begins to scream, one so blood-curdling, that the officers holding her are taken aback. The six triggers are pulled again, the bullets striking his body once more. He sinks to his knees, his head lolling around, blood pouring from his nose, the side of his mouth. His mother runs to his side, kneeling next to him, cradling his head. He looks up at her, as her hands hold onto his cheeks, tears dropping from her nose onto his skin. He holds onto her hands, gripping them with all of his power, as his accomplices are forced to the ground.
Officers rush past the boy and his mother, unaware of the horrors that await them inside.

He looks up at his mother, pain in his eyes, numbness consuming his legs, arms. She begins to hum, a song that they both know. A song they've cherished together for eighteen years. His eyes flutter, she presses her forehead against his, listening to each of his last, ragged breaths.

Sirens begin to sound, the rain begins to fall, and peace falls upon him. His grip on his mother's hand lessening, as his eyes close, and his pain slowly dissolved into the cold October night.
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Song Of The Chapter- Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Time) by Elton John

A.N
Okay, so I'm low-key really emotional about the epilogue okay. It's been an immensely emotional week and I'm allowed to cry because of one Elton John song and a character I feel like a bloody parent to.
By finishing my epilogue, that means that my hiatus is finally here. I want to thank the people that read this story, and You Adore Me- as it makes me feel appreciated you know?? It means a lot that people read and enjoy stories like these ones- not cliched, boring fanfics.

Anywho, share my pain, cry to Elton John and think about your positive futures <3

Mad love to all of you- especially Elton.