ADJUSTMENT PROTOCOL.

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LOST IN FIRE (book three).
°• CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR •°

" DON'T MAKE ME KILL YOU.
PLEASE. "

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        Harley was quickly becoming tired of being knocked out and waking up in a foreign place again and again. How many more times could this happen? She groans at the thought and the slight, dull ache in her head. She's grateful when she opens her eyes and blinks the blurriness away that it's still night. There's no bright glow that'll burn her vision. Harley realizes soon she's struggling to take a deep breath full enough to fill her lungs because there's a gag in her mouth and she can't roll over from her position on the floor because her wrists were tied with a rope that rubs painfully at her skin. Harley bites down on the gag and after a bit of fumbling, finds enough strength to push herself to rest on her knees.

"... Today, we purify Sanctum. Adjusters, go forth and find the nonbelievers. Bring them here. If they resist, you may take their lives," a woman's calm but cold voice orders as Harley surveys the scene. Her people, including a few of the Children of Gabriel, had brought themselves to their knees as well in the same state she was. And the Prime's flock, well, Harley believes they must have lost their minds with every candle they lit.

They must have refused to accept Bellamy and Priya's answers. They still believed the Primes were Gods. Which means they were in a lot of trouble.

The woman who had been speaking stands in front of her hostages and smiles so wide that Harley feels a chill. "Good. You're all awake. Let's begin." Harley's heart skips as she passes her to kneel on her other side where Layla was crouched. She slowly unravels the gag in her mouth before speaking like a controlled robot. "Do you or do you not believe in the divinity of the Primes?"

Layla's lips curl into a sneer. "You don't need a potion to find out my truth, Witch," she spat. "Primes are not Gods. They are liars and murderers."

No one sees the knife until it's too late, and the blade slid across Layla's throat.

Nelson's muffled cries overpowered Harley's own. She flinches as Layla falls close enough to her legs for the blood to seep through the carpet as the puddle of crimson starts to stain her denim pants. There's enough of it to feel it soak her skin. Harley sinks her teeth tighter into the gag like it could help her choke down a sob. That was going to be all of them.

The murderer steps past Layla's body and lowers herself in front of Miller. As soon as she takes his gag out, he begs, "You don't have to do this. We're not your enemy!"

"No. You're a disease, and this is the cure," she snarls. Another man approaches her side with a wooden ladle that drips of something smelling strangely metallic. They push it closer to Miller's face who tries to resist until the same knife that took Layla's life is pressed like a threat to his jugular. "Your blood or the blood of Sanctum."

Miller's eyes desperately flickered to Bellamy who nods. Harley knows they don't have a choice. She has to squeeze her eyes shut as Miller accepts whatever liquid they offered and drinks some. She peeks when he finishes, flinching as the woman pats his shoulder.

The knife twists in her fingers as she stops in front of Harley. Panic starts to wash over her. She swears she isn't breathing at the sight of the silver blade taunting her while the ladle is presented before her lips once they're free of the gag. The metallic smell is stronger now, burning her nose, inches away from being swallowed. Harley knows it's either drink or die. She wonders which is worse as the woman utters, "Your blood or the blood of Sanctum."

The doors suddenly swung open. Harley exhales anxiously as the Primes's followers fall to their knees in an honorary bow, practically kissing the floor while they greet, "Blessed is Daniel. Blessed is Kaylee."

"What is the meaning of this?" A familiar voice drawls. Harley straightens when she recognizes it immediately.

"Blessed is Daniel. Blessed is Kaylee. Blessed are the Primes," the woman cries out gratefully.

"Rise," Emori's voice orders. The flock complies immediately. "Explain yourself."

"We are purifying Sanctum, Holiness, as so ordered by Russell Prime, hallowed be his name!"

The pair slowly make their way to the front as she speaks. If Harley was panicking before, she was confused as hell now. They were dressed like royal Primes, not like the two who had survived the end of the world more than once. Emori was in a beautiful blue dress with slits that exposed her legs, a cloth the same color wrapped around her hand. Murphy was sporting a suit of an identical color with a cape clipped to his shoulders that were two gold squares. Heavy jewelry hangs from their wrists and necks. Makeup made of gold and black accents their features as well as a few colorful gems stuck to their skin. Murphy even has a swirl painted around his eye that matches Emori's tattoo.

They didn't look like themselves, and yet, they seemed extremely comfortable in their own skin. A sense of horrible dread fills Harley.

Did that mean Murphy was included in the Naming Day? Did they kill him to bring someone - Daniel Prime - back?

The thought sends a cry from Harley's heart directly to her throat where it breaks free. She desperately tries to convince herself it isn't true, she refuses to believe it because she would know if Murphy was dead. Harley would be able to feel it. She just would.

"Russell is not here. He abandoned you!" Murphy's dark voice snaps. "We did not."

Then his lips curve into a small smile, easy to miss, if it wasn't for the way he casts a wink in Harley's direction. Relief floods through her. Of course Murphy was still alive. He was pretending to be their God so he could save their asses.

"Adjustments are for our flock. Why are the Earth people here?" Emori demands to know. She huffs as if the answer doesn't matter since it doesn't, not really. "You know what? Nevermind. It's all right, but we shall decide what to do with them. She sends a brief glance to Murphy and suggests, "Let's take them to the palace," satisfied when he nods. Emori simply snaps her fingers and her flock awaits her command. "Help them to their feet."

They rustle to comply. Two pairs of hands grasp Harley's arms and drag her until she plants her feet, starting to stumble. The rest of her friends grunt and try to fight, but Harley's too busy staring at the back of her brother's head. He's squaring his shoulders and walking with such principle that Sanctum's people worship every step. Murphy reassures someone that they don't need to be escorted before another man turns a corner and quickly drags him into a hug.

"Thank the Primes," he breathes out. "I missed you."

He suddenly grabs Murphy's face and pulls him into a deep kiss.

Harley's eyebrows raise to her hairline when Murphy grows rigid, but doesn't exactly yank away either. She turns her head to share a look with Octavia. Murphy is eventually released and his gaze drifts over the man who kissed him. "That was... Interesting." He smiles and pats his shoulders. "Another time, perhaps."

The flock ends up breaking the moment when they shove their hostages into a single-filed line until they're outside and out of earshot. Murphy is still grinning as he throws a comment to Bellamy, "Well, who's the hero now?"

Harley follows and yanks the gag out of her mouth just enough to make a few hushed whispers. "You're such an idiot," she hisses, but she's smiling too. She's missed him so badly it was almost painful.

"Where's everyone else?" Bellamy asks in a muffled mumble.

"Space. There's only Jordan here now, he's our next stop," Emori promises quietly. Harley's eyebrows furrow. Space?

Murphy didn't glance behind him when Harley spoke in fear of someone noticing. He still keeps himself focused on guiding them. "Just keep your eyes down and move calmly. These people are still whacked out of their minds."

He's right. Harley tries to keep her gaze off of the people of Sanctum, but it's almost impossible. She's rigid and afraid they'll attack. The toxin was still affecting them and she supposes they must be hallucinating as many of them were muttering to themselves or staring into the empty space as if it'd start a fight.

A quiet groan sounds behind them. Miller sways before Bellamy catches him. His normally dark skin had flushed him into a pale ghost. "It's the toxin," Bellamy whispers.

"We just have to get him to the palace. Gabriel's waiting, he'll know what to do," Emori reassures.

Suddenly, an angry finger is pointed in their direction. "The Earth people! It's their fault Russell left us!" A woman cries out. "Kill them!"

Harley hadn't expected much less, but she still panics. They have to run like hell and shove their way to the stairs as they start to circle them. She hears Octavia faintly yell, "Run! Run! Get to the palace!"

The stairs shake under the weight of their boots as they pound up the stairs. The flock was ganging on them. Every step they take it was like they were just a step behind them, close, but far enough they can't be dragged to their deaths. Harley even feels the brush of someone's fingertips attempting to grasp her jacket from behind once she hits the first few steps. They're still screaming, bloodthirsty, with the need to kill everyone.

Somehow Murphy's scream is louder when he calls, "Gabriel, open the door!"

Harley feels relief when not only she makes it to the top, but her friends and family as well. They bolt inside once Gabriel slides the door open without a second thought just as he also questions, "My people?"

"We got who we could," Bellamy mumbles as he tugs Miller inside.

Harley watches Gabriel's face fall. She shakes her head and touches his arm. "They wouldn't let us leave with them, but we'll save them too," she promises - choosing not to include Layla's death since this wasn't the time to do so - before her touch tightens into a grip around the cloth. "Come on, get inside!"

She draws Gabriel past the open doors. He's still frowning but knows they have no other choice as the people of Sanctum close in. He quickly drags the two doors shut again. Harley nearly stumbles backward as she watches the thick glass quiver with the weight of their fists as they beat at the door desperately. She stands there for a minute and wonders in the second she has to catch her breath if they're even going to make it out of this alive.

The halls are decorated beautifully, they twist and turn into different rooms that would've left Harley amazed if her mind wasn't spinning. She still has to run to keep up with Emori who must have mapped out the location in her head and guides them into different rooms for a desperate search for Jordan.

They eventually come across what looks like a bedroom and when Emori peels the locked door open by sticking a knife past the seal, Harley catches sight of Jordan sitting upon the bed. "He's here!" Emori calls to the rest of them.

"That's everyone. Mission accomplished," Murphy declares as they pile in.

Guilt hits Harley as flashes of Monty and Harper fill her mind. This was their child and they all left him here to fend for himself. She hadn't seen him since they left Sanctum for the ship what felt like years and years ago. Jordan's no longer carrying the glimmering eyes that remind her of Monty or the shining smile that matched Harper's. His gaze is blank, focused deeply on the wall, both of his arms propped on his crossed knees as if he was meditating. But his features were twisted as if he was terrified.

The feeling drives Harley across the room before anyone could blink. She tries to meet Jordan's eyes, but the pupils are unmoving, refusing to match hers. "Jordan, hey, we're here. You're safe with us." Her voice is soft and reassuring, but Jordan still doesn't move. Harley frowns and gently cups his chin, fingers brushing his cheek. "Sweetheart, what is it? What did they do to you?"

"I can help," Gabriel offers. He nods to Bellamy who was still practically carrying Miller. "Lay him down. He'll be out for hours." He cautiously approaches Jordan's other side. "He's in too deep to respond."

"Adjustment protocol?" Murphy huffs. Gabriel nods.

"Is that the stuff they were trying to get us to drink?" Harley asks, her stare clouded with worry. She even feels a little sick remembering the smell. "Is it real blood?"

Gabriel flashes a light in Miller's unmoving eyes as he replied. "Only partially. Simone predicted that the bloodletting would deepen the religious experience, but the psychoactive component is pure red sun toxin."

Harley remembers how much anger she felt when the two suns eclipsed. How the rage was so powerful it flooded her system and it drove her to pin her brother and make an attempt to stab him multiple times to kill him. Then how she was so angry when Gabriel placed her under the toxin once more to find out what happened in the anomaly, where she realized she was only running from herself. Harley couldn't believe they were feeding people this stuff.

"Useful stuff," Bellamy comments. Harley noticed that the gears in his head were already turning with ideas since they've been winging everything they do since Clarke left.

"When used properly, it can be," Gabriel corrects.

Suddenly, Harley's heart leaps into her throat when the closet door is thrown open, the thin wood smacking against the wall. A boy sporting the Primes's followers' clothing runs out of the small shelter screaming at the top of his lungs, "Help!" As he sprints to the door.

It only doesn't catch Octavia off guard who had sprung into action. She swiftly spun and smacks her forearm into the boy's throat with a grunt, using such force it sends him sprawled on the ground. The back of his head bounces off the floor and knocks him unconscious from the impact. The only sign he was still breathing was the soft rise and fall of his chest.

"Looks like we found the adjuster," Gabriel mumbles.

Bellamy turns around him and seemingly glares at everyone there. "I don't understand. We told them the truth. Why are they still doing this?" He wonders out loud, frustration evident in his tone.

Harley inwardly cringes. "Is this the time to be talking about it?" She demands.

"No better time like the present," Octavia says. She casts a soft glance at her brother like she'd hope he finally understand. "If they accept the truth, their lives mean nothing. It's why I burnt the farm." She clears her throat. "Help me tie him up."

While the Blake siblings work to tie a rope around the adjuster's ankles and wrists, Gabriel deems Miller okay and announces, "We can use that to save the people in the tavern. Cognitive dissonance. They'll believe anything if it reinforces what they want to be true, even that you're still Daniel Lee." He points to Murphy before pulling out an antitoxin mask, inhaling it, and handing it towards Murphy's direction.

"Antitoxin again? Why?" Murphy questions.

"The blood of Sanctum is far more potent than what was in Russell's bomb. You take me in as a prisoner. Then once we're inside the tavern - "

Murphy immediately begins shaking his head rapidly. "What? No, no, no, no. Slow down. No way am I drinking that stuff."

"They're killing nonbelievers. My friends who you left behind are among them," Gabriel reminds him angrily.

A soft glare appears in Murphy's blue eyes. Harley knows he's struggling between what's right and wrong. "Look. I am sorry, but we stayed to save our friends, and we did that. We're all here. If I could help our people in space, I would, but this isn't our fight," he states.

Guilt once again hits Harley at the way Gabriel's features twist. She, herself, can't believe they were going to sit here while his people fight for their lives out there just because their people are safe even after they helped them. It wasn't fair. As Gabriel nods, utters an upset, "Okay," and turns to the door, Harley exclaims for him to halt before she could stop herself.

"Wait! Gabriel!" She squeezes Jordan's warm arm once even if he couldn't feel it in hopes it'd bring some comfort before following Gabriel's steps. "I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not," Murphy protests immediately.

Harley narrows her eyes at her brother, who, she understands is rightfully scared, but was willing to let Gabriel's people die. She wordlessly dares him to stop her because they both know he couldn't. Harley would have him on his ass in less than a second. "Yes, I am."

Octavia doesn't have to think twice. "So am I." She moves to stand from her crouched position but Bellamy's hand quickly stops her. Octavia shakes her head and shook him off. "I can't let these people die, Bell."

Bellamy stands too. He's relaxed, smiling this time. Octavia returns it when he says, "Side by side. Like it was meant to be." And makes it clear he's tagging along too.

Echo shrugs. "I guess it's time to do better." Harley drops the glare she was carrying and sends her a grateful smile.

And to Harley's complete surprise, Emori turns to Gabriel. She tilts her head in a slight bow before making her offering. "Kaylee Prime, at your service."

"Emori," Murphy warns like he can't believe everyone standing there, his family, was offering to stand beside Gabriel to defend his army.

She waves her arm dismissively. "John, it's okay. Someone needs to stay behind and look after Miller and Jordan," she suggests.

"Excuse me. Sorry," Gabriel apologizes for interrupting their moment. "Kaylee was against the adjustment protocol. It's why they believed it when you took them all away." He's pleading as his eyes flicker to Murphy. "It has to be Daniel." He passes the antitoxin in Murphy's direction once more.

A long pause they may not even have time for passes as Murphy mulls this over. But he only has to glance from Harley to Emori before making his final decision. "Fine." He snatches the mask. "But if I die, you're bringing me back."

A smile danced on Gabriel's lips. "No, I'm not."

"At least lie to me."

Harley wonders how much fun Murphy is having being a God as they hightail it out of the doors, straight into the battlefield.

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It brings so much pleasure to the flock of Sanctum when they see Murphy positioning a knife's blade to Gabriel's throat that Harley has to squeeze the hand over her knee into a fist. It's horrible, the cult that the Lightbourne's created. So their plan to survive against them wasn't flawless. Harley knew there were too many holes for that. Hell, she in fact doubts any of this was going to work. And the feeling of doubt was horrible as it worms its way under her skin. But belief was stronger - it had to be. Harley didn't have to believe it was going to work, but she believed with all of her heart they would survive this.

Her brother's voice calls over the land, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event of the evening! An adjustment for the demon Gabriel himself." He guides Gabriel at knifepoint past people who literally hiss at the sight of him and scratch their skin. Harley can't imagine how badly the toxin was still affecting them. It looked like they were animals who lost their minds.

Harley, Octavia, Echo, and Bellamy were positioned above the tavern over a wooden roof that wouldn't be easy to be spotted at. The same woman who forced them to drink Sanctum's blood and killed Layla greets him, utters a few words Harley can't hear from their distance and allows him to enter. She locks the door securely behind them and Harley exhales. So far it was working.

However, Echo's doubt speaks louder than what Harley thought. "As soon as someone else knocks on that door, they'll know we took the tavern," she points out quietly.

Bellamy nods. "That's where we come in. Gabriel and Murphy control the inside, we make sure no one gets inside."

"If that happens, it'll be thirty on four," Echo continues to remind them in a soft mumble.

Octavia looks over her shoulder with a smile. Her green eyes practically glow in the dark as they dart from Echo to Harley. "I like our chances." Harley grins at that. The idea of three women who chose to get along instead of turning on one another, to fight shoulder to shoulder, sometimes amazes her that they held so much power in three swords instead of one.

The door doesn't open again until a few minutes later. The woman who seemed to be leading the little cult exits without Murphy or Gabriel. She settles a wooden log over the handles so no one could break free. She's less calm as she frantically waves her arms and screams orders to her followers. "We purify Sanctum through fire! Get the fuel! Soak it down!"

The four share a stare of alarm before rising. Everything went south before Harley could have even processed it. The followers are busy grabbing tanks that reek, burning Harley's nostrils, as it's splashed around them to even notice the small group making their way across Sanctum's field. She refuses to care if groups of them would flock to attack. If they're going to burn a building down with her brother inside, Harley will burn down their palace and take it with them.

"Together, we send the demon and his false prophet to Hell!"

A torch flickers with orange and yellow flames as they near closer. "Leave the torch and back away," Bellamy demands with a tight voice.

"Those are your people in there. Help us save them," Octavia begs.

She grins sadistically. "That's what we're doing. Their sacrifice will be a blessing to us all."

Harley shifted around Bellamy and stepped in her path before a drop of fuel could touch the flame. She grabs her shoulder and forces her to retreat. "I can't let you do that." Her voice lowers into a plea. "Don't make me kill you. Please."

But the woman doesn't give Harley much of another choice. She releases an animalistic shout and that's all that Harley needs when she suddenly swung the torch above her head. She ducks before propelling upward again and striking her in the face, her other arm swung to disarm the torch that sends it to hit the ground.

The single hit Harley makes sends everyone into a frenzy. It becomes a flash of blind rage and fists were thrown into whoever dared get too close in an attempt to keep them at bay. Harley doesn't even bother reaching for the sword thumping against her thigh. She doesn't want to kill anyone even when she knows she may have to. Not again.

"I got these guys! Go for the torches, keep them away from the tavern!" Octavia's voice carries on through the brawl.

Harley complies immediately. She swung her leg and kicks the flat of her boot into a man's chest with such force he smacks the ground. She seizes the torch he had and moves quickly to duck it into a water barrel. It fizzles out when it hits the water inside. She hears footsteps behind her and spun, her arm crooked so it drives her elbow into their jaw. Harley's attacker cries out, but sends another jab into their ribcage until they back down.

The sound of a weapon hitting skin echoes behind her. Echo had found a pole and was using it as a sword to knock the dangerous ones unconscious. Bellamy had used a fizzled-out torch's handle himself and Octavia was doing what she could to buck an attacker off her back.

And the crazy lady had decided her only choice was to soak herself in gasoline until her clothes dripped with it and cry out, "For the glory and grace of the Primes!" Before releasing a war scream and grabbing a torch sticking out of the ground. She brings the tip of the flame to her dampened dress.

The world slowly spun for Harley. She was the only one who wasn't fighting, the only one who could notice if the heavy smell in the air wasn't enough. Flames start to crawl up the woman's skirt and it's only seconds before she's engulfed in it. Harley's already cleared her mind completely and sprinting as the woman spreads her arms, heading straight for the tavern while screaming in agony as her skin is swallowed by the fire. Harley hears Octavia's cry for her just as she meets the flames in the middle and slams her body into her side.

The dying woman falls without the ability to rise again. Harley fell too and rolls across the soil past her. She can feel the fire that itches past her clothes as it tries to burn its way to her skin. Orange sparks fill her vision as sudden, painful warmth consumes her. A horrible memory of Tondc being bombed and her skin being set aflame flashes through her mind in the second all of this takes. It burned then - it burns now.

Harley cries out as she struggles to rip off her jacket before the heat can get too close. She stomps her feet across the grass and finally manages to wrangle the burning piece of clothing off and throws it. Her skin still pricks with the lingering feeling of ghostly flames that weren't there anymore as she stood still, catching her breath, allowing her mind to catch up and process what just happened. The screaming had finally stopped as the lady died. Harley could've easily been burned alive too. She releases a shuddering breath that turns into a soft cry, shoulders hunched as it rolls through her.

As Bellamy orders Echo to check on the ones who survived all of this inside of the tavern, Octavia stumbles breathlessly to Harley. She gently touches the fragile girl's shoulder who flinches at the touch when it feels like the tips of Octavia's fingers were sparked with flames. "Are you okay?" She asks quietly. Harley doesn't answer. Her wet, blue eyes were starting to glow with a twinge of orange as they lock on the body in front of her. "Harley!" Octavia's voice rises and echoes in her ears.

Harley finally snaps out of it. She gasps and shakes her shoulder out of Octavia's grip before nodding. "I'm - I'm okay." Octavia's gaze still stares her down softly, but Harley shakes her head, refusing to let her push the matter. "I have to be."

"Everything okay in there?" Echo questions the ones inside.

"Yeah. Best party ever." Murphy is huffing as he leaves. He scans the area of unconscious people across Sanctum's field. "Show off."

As Harley and Octavia approach the others while Bellamy makes the order to watch all corners of the tavern, Harley closes the space between Murphy and her to throw her arms around him. It's been so long since they've had a second to breathe that she nearly forgot how badly she needed to hug him. Murphy frowns at how warm Harley's skin is, how she's blinking back tears, but he embraces her as tightly as he can.

"It's okay, El," he says softly. "You're okay."

Harley bites on her tongue so she doesn't sob.

A voice behind them interrupts the twins. It's deep, confused, belonging to Gabriel. "Where did you get that?"

None of the others speak and Harley suddenly feels everyone's eyes on her. She releases Murphy and turns to see she was right. Once her back faces Murphy, he releases a shocked noise. "Harley - what the hell is that?"

"What?" Harley craned her neck and wishes she could see what was over her shoulder that everyone was looking at. "What is it?"

Gabriel places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "May I?" Harley wordlessly nods, granting him permission, and he gently turns her on her feet. The strands of hair that reach her shoulders are brushed aside. He carefully grasps the top hem of Harley's tanktop and lowers it to expose the skin Harley once thought was completely bare.

"Have you seen that before?" Bellamy asks.

"The tattoo? No."

Harley's head snaps to the side. "Tattoo? I don't have any tattoos."

"Harley, we're looking at one right now," Murphy insists.

And Harley plants her feet. She doesn't move out of fear. Although she admired the art of tattoos, especially on grounders, she's never had anyone take a needle and ink to her skin before. And yet, it was there. Hundreds of symbols gather together to swirl across Harley's back, close to where her shoulder blades met. The ink was black other than a few colored red.

"I've been studying it for a hundred and fifty years. We call it the Anomaly Stone. Harley, you must have gotten it from the other side," Gabriel tells her. Harley feels a slight chill crawl up her spine as he gently grabs her wrist until she turns to face him again. "Still think you were gone for only a few seconds?"

Harley does try to remember. She scratches at the corners of her brain in hopes maybe something could come up because she knows something had to be there. She didn't just magically leave the anomaly with a tattoo. But Harley can't think of anything. Her mind only comes up with a big blank instead of answers.

"I don't know," Harley admits quietly as she struggles. "I don't know."

"It's beautiful," Echo whispers, "But what does it mean?"

"Good question," Gabriel says.

But Harley knows what that means. She knows what they have to do, together, like they always do. Her gaze locks with Octavia as she also comes to the sudden realization and nods, announcing gravely, "It means we have to go back."

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author's note:

posting twice in a week lmao who even am i

dakota being uncreative and stealing octavia's thunder YEEEET

no but i kinda found it weird that octavia had hope's anomaly tattoo on her back when she already has the grounder tattoos and all so i thought it'd be cooler on harley's. i can't wait to write hope's dynamic with them OMG. okay every time i get closer to season 7 i get excited.

i've definitely thought it over and think i've come to the conclusion that i'll suck it up & write season 7. i don't feel right having her story ending on an incomplete note (you'll see in the next chapter). which is to say the next one will be the last one of this act! and then the final act will be next. i've been working on this series since 2018 when i was 18. tons of things have changed since then. i'm 22 now and am hoping to complete this book this year. ❤️

if you're an og reader thank you for sticking around for so long!! even if you're not thank you for your endless support!! i love you guys as much as i love harley, i'll be more sappy in the authors note in the next chapter. thank you again for sticking around!!

- koda