Delany's POV

"They're still out there," Finn peeks through the window curtains. 

"It's only been a week. They'll probably be gone in a few days." Oliver sighs on the couch.

"Get away from there." Uncle Chris frowns. "We do not want to encourage them." 

"Is there a way to get them out of there?" I sigh and play around with my food. I haven't been able to go outside because of the constant hovering of the media. The FBI tried their best to keep my profile low-key but my name was released to the public since I was of age. They assigned me a lawyer and a guard for protection, but otherwise, the FBI left me alone. 

"Not really, and stop playing with your food," Uncle Mark sighs.

"Yeah," I nod as I slowly eat the food. It is a lot better than the hospital food they made me eat for the past month. I was only released early because of my uncle's occupations. They were instructed to watch over me for the next few weeks to see if I was going to have PTSD or anything. Honestly, I am surprised at myself for being this calm. It kind of seems surreal when I think back on what happened. 

Mason's father was charged with basically all the corruption laws. There were fifty policemen who were also brought down with him. The FBI also managed to link the corruption through many higher-ups who had positions in governments, charities, business corporations, and even conglomerates. This was the latest scandal of the year. I was questioned by the FBI for a bit but otherwise left alone. 

My family was so worried. Allen even flew back for a week just to check up on me. It was nice having everyone back. 

I haven't seen Mason since we went to the hospital. I'm sure he has more things to worry and figure out. His father was the criminal and his face is posted on every news media right now. I doubt Mason wants to be in public right now. 

I glance at the scars along my arms. If it weren't for the remnants of the scars, then I would have thought I dreamed everything. I sometimes run my hand along them to remind myself this is real. 

"Hey, you okay?" Uncle Mark glances at me worriedly. 

"I'm fine," I put on a smile. Everyone has been delicate around me. They are worried but it is uncomfortable. "I'm just going to head upstairs."

I've been seeking alone time in my room but I leave the door open so they don't freak out. 

"Hey..." My uncles peer inside my room and I nod for them to enter. 

"You know, when I was being interrogated by the FBI, I found out about my parent's accident." This was a half-life, since I heard most of it from Mason's father. However, I did peep on a file that had some redacted information on it about my parents when I was being questioned by the FBI. I'm surprised I did not get caught or arrested since i had to sneak around for it.  

I also found out that Mason's father had lied to me. 

"Mason's father was making a sort of deal with the policemen. My parents happened to pass by and see it. It was the wrong place and the wrong time. They got in their car and drove back home. Mason's father and the policemen went after them, but they ended up getting into an accident with them. Dad died instantly upon impact. Mom was injured but she climbed outside the car to get to me. She managed to flag down a nearby highway patrol but the policemen and Mason's father shot him and my mother down. My mom was still holding onto me when they found me. I don't know why they left me alive, but they blamed it on a drug cartel. The highway patrol was framed for illegal drug use and had an elaborate story to back it up with." 

"It's kind of crazy, right?" I glance at my uncles, who look just as shocked as I was. 

"I guess they ran out of time so they didn't kill me. Perhaps they also didn't want to shoot a kid." I shrug and laugh emptily. 

"Delany..." My uncles come over and envelope me in a warm hug. "You don't know how proud we are of you and how much we love you."

They do not need to remind me. I appreciate all they have done for me and my brothers. They have cared and tried their best for us. I have seen them give up so much for us and I am forever grateful for them. Sometimes, it is just hard for me to express those feelings and get it through my thick skull. 

"I know..I love you both so much. Thank you." I say with sincerity. "I just need some time alone to adjust." I say as gently as I can. No matter how much I love them, I have been feeling overwhelmed by their love and support. They exchange looks but leave me alone. As they leave, they leave just a small crack at my door in case I need to reach them or vice versa.

I sit at my nook and look outwards. When I was discharged by the hospital, I came immediately home. On Mason's lawn, there was a for sale sign. It wasn't shortly after someone bought the property. I look inside Mason's empty room and sigh. I do not know if he collected his things or if the FBI took everything inside as a sort of evidence. It is weird to see everything empty in that house. 

I grab my sketchbook and start doodling. Lately, I have been writing my thoughts down and doodling around the words. I do not have much to do otherwise besides recuperating. I am supposed to start my physical therapy in a week though. 

There's a slight knocking on the window that disturbs my inner thoughts. I look and see a hooded figure crouching on the tree outside. In a fright, I jump up and clumsily tumble to the ground. Peeking over my nook bench, I see the figure take off his hood to reveal a familiar face. 

"Mason." My eyes widen at his clean cut and lean frame. Faint discoloring around his eye and cheek show from past beatings. He slimmed down a lot. Honestly, we probably look the same. He gives a small smile and waves. 

I hesitate as I reach for my window sill. With everything that has occurred, there is still a sliver of doubt that forms when I see Mason. I cannot forget he chose to lie and leave me out of his shit. He still has not come forth and told me everything. 

Finally, I let him in. 

"Delany...I am so sorry." His eyes look deeply into mine. When I stare at him, I cannot help but forgive him. There is sincerity and warmth when he says it. 

"I should have came earlier. I should have explained a lot of things to you. I didn't and I don't have any excuse for that...But I am here now. I can still explain things to you...Everything has been super hectic and I have been trying to figure things out with the police, FBI, and everything..." He starts to explain but he beings to stumble over his words. He stops and laughs awkwardly while running his hand through his hair. He does that when he is nervous. 

"And then I found out about your parents. I found out what he did to them...what he did to you." Mason's hard look of anger and frustration makes me reach out for him. I hold his shoulder and bring him in. 

"I know." I hug him and take him in. Having him here, it brings me a sort of peace. The past month has been a whirlwind of everything. Yet, he is the only thing that seems to keep everything at bay. 

"You know?" He pauses his words.

"Yeah," I look up at him and smile. "I'm glad you're here now." 

"I'm not going to leave you." Mason leans in and puts his forehead on mine.

"I guess I'm stuck with you," I whisper.

"Are you okay with that?" Mason almost asks in fear.

"Of course." I give the smallest of nods.

"I swear under these stars that I will love and protect you forever." Mason looks up at my painted ceiling before kissing me gently on my forehead.

"That sounds like a proposal." I arch an eyebrow at him.

"For now, it's a promise." He winks.

"Alright, you fool." I sigh. 

________________________________________________________

A/N 

The End. 

I hope it didn't come out like a rush to an ending. I also didn't want it to be too sappy with a kiss at the ending. Still, I hope this was a decent ending...for now? I think I might come back and add a chapter or something...like an epilogue of some sorts for my sake.

Voila. Thanks for reading. I really wanted to finish the ending but didn't know what to write for the longest time. I also spent a lot of time taking a break from writing. Thus, my writing is not up to par. I hope to improve my writing though I do not know if I will be writing on Wattpad anymore. I feel like this site has changed so much. When I came back on the site, I found the site has rebranded and made significant updates. Of course, those improvements are not bad at all! i just felt estranged and it made me feel less inclined to come back and write. 

As for writing in general, I do it as a hobby still. That is why all these stories are so unpolished and rough. I'm thankful for anyone who still reads my works despite this. I really appreciate it!  I still have a lot of ideas but I do not know if this is the best platform to write anymore for fun. Anyways, that's just a ramble of what has been going on. 

love,

lystra