❪ 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 ❫

𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝖾𝗂𝗀𝗁𝗍  ━━━━━━━━━━━━━
the goodbye.  ╱  season three, episode five.

THERE WAS A clear discomfort oozing off of the Emerson boy as he sat next to Michonne. He shifted every few minutes, eyes always staring forwards, a look of disdain on his features. Time ticked by with the goal of being slow, and it was really pissing Toby off. He was surprised that he and Michonne weren't tied to these chairs, but then again, this wasn't an interrogation. The whole thing felt like a terrible trip to the principal's office.

With the way the two were facing forwards, starting at the desk in front of them with their hands on their laps. Toby was twitching out of nervousness every once in a while, but Michonne, she sat frozen in time, the only thing Toby visibly saw her do was breathe. The glare on her face would've probably killed the person on the other end, and he knew exactly who it was for.

There was an occasionally shuffling behind them, Toby could feel the cruel and calculated stare of Merle behind them. He hated it, he could see the cocky smile on his lips and he wanted to jump and punch him in the nose. A bit of payback from when the older man clocked him in the nose with his pistol. Toby reached up lightly touching the scab that went across the bridge of his nose. The boy grimaced at the pain that throbbed through his nose at the touch, which pissed him off even more.

The sound of the door opening broke the boy out of his murderous thoughts, but he only stiffened realizing who it was. He wished the assholes didn't confiscate his weapon, the single ounce of freedom from this stupid place lost yet again.

"You two get off on that?" The opening line made Toby's jaw clench, but he refused to look back at the man. The Governor continued to walk until he was on the opposite side of the table, leaning the bat and sword against the wall. He leaned against wall as well, examining the two people across from him, "Poking around in other people's things?"

"Hmm?" Both of them stared at the wall ahead, almost as if they were looking right through him, the Governor visible was agitated by that. Toby felt he was succeeding in a way. "We got nothing to hide here,"

The boy scoffed at the words, examining the man in front of him, "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so,"

"That's fair," The Governor sighed, his eyes falling down to the table, "We all have our secrets, huh?"

"Like Penny?"

Toby's eyes almost widened at the name that left Michonne's mouth, completely surprised that she would even utter a hint as to where they have been. The Governor seemed visibly shocked as he stared at her with apprehension in his eye, "You know about Penny? Then you know I loved her,"

Michonne gave him a calculated stare, "Bet you say that about all the girls,"

It seemed to amuse the man in front of them as he found a seat at the table as well, the smile on his face made Toby itch with anger, "You got the wrong idea about me. I'm just a guy trying to do right by the people I care about."

"Seems like it," Toby remarked, falling back in his chair as he crossed his arms.

The Governor glanced at the boy with a blank stare, but it was clear his comment didn't affect him whatsoever, so he continued, "Now, you guys want to leave, Andrea wants to stay. So you want me to take choice out of the equation, you want me to kick you out, not the best idea with little Thomas, he seems to be having a good time here,"

Toby clenched his jaw at the mention of his little brother, he wanted nothing more than to jump across the table and punch the shit out of him, but he remained calm and sent him a nasty glare instead, "My brother is frankly none of your concern, so why don't you mind your own goddamn business,"

The man licked his lips in response, almost finding amusement in how intense the young boy's voice was, but he shrugged it off, "Actually, I was about to give your weapons back, 'cause you two fit in, we've enjoyed having you,"

"Well, we wouldn't exactly say it's been an enjoyable stay," Toby snapped back, he couldn't help the little digs he threw, the man just had a clear habit of getting on his nerves.

"That's very unfortunate, I'm sorry that's been your experience Toby," The Governor mentioned, he soon grabbed the sword, yet leaving the bat to lean against the wall. He rounded the table to the side where the two were sitting so he could stand behind them and glance out the window. "This is a real problem for me, people follow the rules, and whether or not it's true, they believe it's what keeps them alive. You two have turned that upside down, you've broken the rules, and if I don't do anything, I invite anarchy,"

The older man paused his speech, hoping to get a response from the two but they remained quiet as they have been the whole time. He was ticking and they could tell, but little did he know so were they, "How about this? I keep a lid on your little outburst, you two join the research team. You obviously have skills and you're not afraid of biters. Merle will take care of you and then-"

Without even knowing what happened, Toby watched in surprise as Michonne jump from her seat and steal her sword away and instantly put it up to the man's neck. The boy was shocked at the movements, but it didn't stop him from jumping up and reaching to grab his bat that rested on the wall. The Governor watched him, jumping to say something but stopped and closed his eyes in fear when the tip of the sword poked the side of his neck.

There was a moment of questioning when Toby actually wondered if Michonne was going to kill the man. There was a feeling of terror that bubbled in his stomach at the thought of the murder, while some of him wanted to, most of him knew that they never would've never made it out alive. His little army would eviscerate them before they even got the chance to make it out the gate. Michonne seemed to understand that too when she snapped herself out of it, slowly backing away from the man that was pinned against the wall.

Toby began backing towards the door just as Michonne did. They both kept an intense glare on the older man, wanting to make sure they got their message across. Michonne roughly opened the door, walking out with Toby quickly in tow. They refused to make eye contact with Merle that was right there the moment they opened the door. The warm sun usually makes Toby feel a little bit better, but right now it made his blood turned cold. He would not be able to breathe until he was stepping right out the front gate and away from this hellscape.

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THERE WAS A PANIC that had found its way into the air as Toby watched Michonne gather all their things. There was a part of him that wanted to calm down and figure out a clear plan of attack, but with the experiences they had gone through today, there was no way they could sit and talk. It was now or never, there wasn't an option to stay here another night. After Michonne threatened the Governor, he was gonna kill them if they stayed.

The weight of their situation has become more and more pressing the longer they stayed here. There was no time, they needed to pack as fast as they could and get out of there as soon as the last bag was zipped. Toby felt guilty in a way, he knew Andrea had become accustomed to this place, it was clear by the constant defending. There was a pit in his stomach that told him that she was staying behind, he didn't want to believe it but deep down he knew the possibility was more than likely.

Toby hated watching his brother be happy, because now he had to tell him what was happening. He yet again had to pull the rug out from beneath his feet. He didn't know how much of this his brother could take. He could tell the little boy was exhausted, and pushing him to go further was cruel. But that was just the situation at hand, they couldn't stay here and he sure as hell isn't leaving that boy here. Toby would never leave the boy behind, that wasn't an option.

The two survivors that resided in the room hadn't said much since they got back. There wasn't much to say, they knew the plan, they knew what they needed to do. This wasn't leaving something behind, this was purely for survival. Without thinking the teenager began packing up his brother's things. Appreciating that he swiped three inhalers from the infirmary the first night they were here.

His brother's asthma isn't horrible, but too much exertion or fear can trigger an asthma attack and they were already on their last one, so he was glad he stole some. He was honestly surprised that no one ever caught him or even questioned him. He didn't give a single shit about this place, so stealing that was nothing for him.

Toby looked down at his hands, knowing that he would have to find his brother soon, but that was only after they found Andrea. It seemed the timing was on his side as the woman waltzed right in after that.

"We got to talk,"

We really do.

Michonne disregarded the words from her, stopping her packing to look up at her, "We got to go,"

Andrea glanced at the woman in slight annoyance, crossing her arms as she examined the woman quickly packing, which made Toby slightly agitated, "The Governor told me what happened,"

"Yeah and? He's fucking crazy,"

"Toby," Andrea sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration, "You guys can't do things like this, you're freaking people out, you're freaking me out,"

Toby clenched his jaw to stop his snarky comment from escaping, knowing it would do absolutely nothing to help the situation right now. Michonne seemed to completely ignore the woman and started to explain their plan of attack, "The northeast wall is guarded by some girl, we can escape there after dark,"

Michonne pushed the woman's bag into her arms, Andrea buckled at the sudden weight as she released a grunt, "We are not prisoners here,"

"No one that comes here leaves,"

Andrea sent her a questioning look, almost as if she was crazy, "What are you talking about? It's safe. There's food, there's shelter, there are people for god's sake,"

"That's what they show you," Toby remarked, his anger getting the best of him, "But you can't leave unless they make you,"

"You two are not making any sense," Andrea scoffed, throwing her hands up in the air in shock. "Guys, just sit down for a second and take a minute,"

"You need to trust us," Michonne pressed on.

"And you need to give me more to go on," Andrea sighed, "We got a good thing going here,"

"I thought this was temporary?" Toby asked in a smart-ass tone, which received a glare from the blonde in response.

"And I think we need this," Andrea shot back, making Toby's frustration rise, "I want to give this place a real shot,"

"We tried," The boy hissed.

"Are you kidding me, Toby? Breaking into houses, that is not trying, that is sabotaging,"

Michonne and Toby both visibly got more upset, and Andrea was beginning to look like someone on the other side, not their friend. Toby's heart began to ache from the realization hitting him. She wasn't going to go, he could feel her apprehension swirling in the air. But that wasn't going to stop them from trying to convince her.

"This place is not what they say it is,"

"You guys are acting crazy, I mean seriously, you wanna go out there?" Andrea exclaimed, darting between the two hoping to get a reaction, but to no avail, there was nothing, "Toby, you seriously want to bring your brother out in this? Here, he can have a life and be safe, why are you betting all of that on a feeling?"

The words hit him like a bullet, any hurt he felt for the woman was temporarily gone and replaced with a fury he had never felt towards her before, "Do not, I mean do not ever question my capabilities of taking care of my brother, if I think this is best, it is. This place will never give him the life he needs. This place is corrupt and it's completely idiotic that you haven't seen it yet,"

His icy tone stabbed right through her, she opened and closed her mouth a few times trying to find the right thing to say. But it was too late. Any sympathy he had for her was gone. She was lost in the idea of this place, too blinded by the shining lights to even see the darkness surrounding her. He wished she would see this place for what it really is, but she doesn't and that's on her.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go grab Thomas, and then we're leaving," Toby interrupted her little stuttering session. Michonne nodded in response to him but then went back to packing. The boy purposefully rammed his shoulder into Andrea's as he walked out, a small gasp escaped her, his next comment cold and deadly, "If you ever question my ability to care for my brother again, I will leave you behind so fast you won't even see that we're gone,"

He didn't bother to hear her response, soon strolling out of the room and shutting the door behind him with a slight attitude both of the women picked up on. But he didn't give a shit. A new weight laid on his shoulders now that he had to break it to his brother that they were leaving. It was something he didn't want to do, but it was what needed to be done.

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THE PARTY SEEMED to still be going strong as Toby walked down the street with his hands in his pockets. With the sun about to set, he imagined that people would've calmed down, but things were in full swing. He was glad his brother had a good day, maybe it would lessen the blow of telling him they were leaving.

He was dreading it, so maybe he was walking a little slower than he should've, and maybe he was avoiding the direction that his brother was in, but he was making his way there and that's all that mattered. He just wanted to let his brother have a little more time with his friends before he had to say goodbye.

Toby hates goodbyes, he hated hearing them and he hated giving them. They felt like the end of something, especially now that's what they are. When people say goodbye, it means they'll never see them again. Dying or leaving, one way or another they would never be seen again. His goodbyes haunt him, they left dark imprints in his brain. His last goodbye to the people he cared about haunts him, they echo in his ears, getting louder and louder as time progresses.

His goodbye to his sister before she left for her senior year of college, he didn't want her to leave, but she did. He wanted her to live with him forever, he needed her forever, but she needed to have her own life, and being stuck in their small town wasn't going to give her that. He felt left behind like she didn't truly care about him, but deep down he knew she did, he knew that now. But then, he was cruel. The last time he saw her, he was so curt, his goodbye visibly sliced through her like a knife. She knew he needed him but there was nothing she could do. When she drove down the driveway, while everyone went back inside, he sent her a rough middle finger, finally acting out and pushing his pain to the forefront. The last image of her will always be stuck in his brain as her face fell looking into the steely gaze of Toby and he flipped her off.

He regrets it, he always had and he always will. He doesn't know if he'll ever see her again, and for that, he hates a tiny bit of himself. He felt abandoned when he shouldn't have, she was living her life and doing what she needed to do in order to go. But then, it felt like a stab to the back. After everything that happened that summer, he couldn't let her go. But he had to anyway.

A small commotion caused the teen to drop his sorrowful thoughts, looking towards the middle of town he noticed his little brother standing in front of a few adults, tears streaking down his cheeks. One lady had her hand wrapped around Thomas' arm. Oh, hell no. Toby clenched his jaw in anger, his slow pace soon turned into a rushed walk hearing them yell at the little boy.

"Hey, hey, what the hell is going on here?" Toby questioned in an authoritative tone, grabbing his brother behind him as the lady in the center took a step back examining the older boy with her face scrutinizing. "Why the hell do you have your hands on him?"

"Is that your boy?"

Toby sent her a confused glance, his eyes darting to the boy standing next to him, cowering away from the woman, "He's my brother, if that's what you mean,"

"Well as your responsibility, you need to watch what he says around others, he's making the other kids uncomfortable,"

"What did he say?" Toby asked, his skepticism very apparent in his tone, which only pissed the lady off even more. His brother was sweet, he wouldn't dare say anything inappropriate in front of others.

"He was telling my children about the outside and explaining how dangerous biters are,"

Toby stared at the woman in amazement, dazed as to why this whole situation started, "I'm sorry, they are? I'm still confused as to why your hands were on my brother,"

"He wouldn't stop looking around and I needed him to pay attention to me,"

"You're joking, I don't know maybe he was scared that a random lady was yelling at him, so he was looking for someone familiar," The teenager scoffed, his arms now were crossed as the anger towards the woman began to rise, "He's not your kid, so there's no fucking reason your hands should be anywhere near him, I wouldn't do that to your children, so why are you doing that to my brother?"

"Typical, he's getting raised by a juvenile," The man slightly behind the woman, whispered to her. But Toby knew the man said it loud enough with the intention that he would hear it.

"I'm sorry," Toby hissed, eyes turning into slits, "You wanna fucking say something asshole?"

The visibly larger man tensed, fury building in his eyes as he looked the teenager up and down, but Toby didn't budge, the size difference didn't make him falter at all. "Watch your tone son,"

Son.

"Why don't you both mind your own fucking business, whatever my brother told you kids clearly, needed to be said. Whoever teaches their kids that biters aren't dangerous are fucking idiots,"

That was all it took for Toby to get a swift punch to the jaw, the swing caught the attention of many people around and all erupted into gasps. Pain throbbed throughout his entire face, and he swore to himself. He held the place of impact, glaring furiously at the man in front of him. He could feel the stares and that only enhanced his animosity toward the man. Yet again, his anger got the best of him, but he wasn't done.

"Fuck you, man,"

"Kid, you shouldn't swear in front of your brother, it's a bad influence,"

Those words made Toby laugh loudly, he straightened up, eyes cold and condescending, "The whole world ending is enough of a bad influence,"

The man went to say something to combat that, but a familiar unsettling voice rose through the forming crowd, "Now, what's happening here?"

Toby closed his eyes in annoyance, he couldn't ever catch a break. Turning to the Governor, he sent him a tight grin, "Nothing, we were just leaving,"

"Doesn't seem like nothing,"

"Yeah well, I couldn't give two shits about what it seems like, now if you'll excuse me...me and my brother are leaving,"

As the boy passed the older man, he was stopped. The Governor sent him a teasing smile, but his tone was the complete opposite, "You are gonna be nothing but trouble, I see,"

"Not for long douche," Toby stated, clapping a hand on his back. The man's words made Toby's stomach drop, but he didn't show it. The sudden touch surprised the man, but he played it off with a laugh for the other people around them.

The boy didn't bother to look back at the prying eyes that followed his every step, they didn't deserve to get his attention. He would be a spectacle soon enough when they were heading for the front gates. The pain in his jaw completely made him forget about the whole reason why he came to find Thomas. The teenager looked down at the twelve-year-old, who was sniffling, attempting to wipe away all the tears he had.

"Kid, you alright?" Toby questioned, watching how the boy reacted.

Thomas sighed, a nod soon following, "Yeah, I'm fine I was just overwhelmed by them yelling at me,"

"Yeah, they weren't very nice,"

"The ugly and big bruise on your face could attest to that,"

Toby laughed at the boy's words, shrugging in response, "Rude but true,"

"I'm sorry, their kid was just telling me all this stuff about how he's not scared of biters and they aren't dangerous and I got mad," Thomas explained, looking down at his hands as he spoke.

"It's alright kid, they shouldn't be saying stuff like that anyway, they'll understand how wrong they are eventually,"

"They just made me feel bad for all the stuff we've been through, like all that happened didn't mean anything cause they were safe in here,"

The words made Toby stop, he hated how they hurt his brother. A protective feeling washed over him like a wave, he placed his hands on the younger boy's shoulder to hold him steady, "Don't listen to those assholes, don't let them invalidate what you've been through. They couldn't last a day out there. You can,"

"I can't even kill a biter, I wouldn't last a day out there,"

"Thomas, you can, I just haven't let you try because I've been so protective of you, you can learn, I'll teach you,"

The boy in question looked up at the words, hope began to fill his eyes, "You promise?"

"I promise kid," Toby agreed, a comforting smile twisting found its way to his lips. But the smile fell when he remembered what he needed to tell him. "Tommy, I need to tell you something,"

"We're leaving right?"

"Yeah," Toby nodded, biting on the inside of his left cheek, "Are you okay with that?"

Thomas shrugged, a small relieved grin finding its way on his face, "Honesty yeah, all these kids are kinda dicks anyway,"

The older boy snorted in amusement, "Yeah, everyone here is a dick,"

The relief he felt watching his brother begin to walk back to their place was unmatched, he finally felt like he could breathe. They were actually leaving his hellhole once and for all.

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THE SETTING SUN was daunting to Toby, knowing they wouldn't even be out there for more than an hour before they needed to find shelter. But it was much better than being here. Toby would rather suffer through biters and a cold night than being stuck in this Pleasantville bullshit. He wouldn't say he was exactly ready to be on the road again, but it's what needed to happen because they can't stay here. With the Governor's weird obsession with him and Michonne, they would never be able to have a life here. They were his targets and he wouldn't be able to rest until their heads were on sticks.

It scared Toby, he hoped that they wouldn't come after them, but he knew. He knew deep down that the moment they walked through those gates they had targets on their backs, they weren't allowed to leave, and the Governor was going to make sure that they don't. Andrea was adamant about how crazy Toby and Michonne were being, but she knows better. After eight months on the road together, she knows what this place really is, she was just willing not to see it.

Toby was shocked she was even coming with them, but there she was, right next to the boy, all strutting down the street with their bags in hand. He could see some of the Governor's henchmen watching them from his peripheral, but he kept looking forward. Let them look, what the hell were they gonna do?

"Hey, hey, hey, mouthy and girls," Merle spoke up, eyes wide in mock confusion, "Where y'all off to in such a hurry? Huh?"

Andrea paused in her movements to turn to him, but Michonne just grabbed her arm, dragging her further with them. But Merle was in tow, his voice carrying more annoyance than Toby could take right now. "Hey, come on, now, come on, y'all breaking my heart running away like that,"

Toby huffed, his tone nothing more than condescending, "Too bad, we're leaving so open the gate,"

"It's almost curfew," Merle snapped back, looking him up and down, a snarl just about the breakthrough his tone. But he kept it level to keep up the act. Toby could see what he was doing, "I'd have to arrange an escort. I mean the party's still going on,"

"Does it look like we care?" Toby hissed, moving so he was in front of both of the women and his brother so Merle's attention was directed solely on him.

"Alright, wait here a second,"

The man was off to get one of the guard's attention, soon engaging in a conversation with him. Toby scoffed knowing they were stalling, and Michonne could sense the same thing. They both sent Andrea a glance, they're point being proved. They weren't gonna let them go, it was all for show. The blonde's eyes darted between them and she was quickly off to go see what the hold-up was.

Toby quickly fell in line with Michonne, knocking his shoulder with hers, "I give her three seconds before they tell her back,"

Michonne sent him a weary gaze, and he could tell she was in agreement. Just as Toby predicted, an annoyed Andrea came shuffling back over and Michonne just couldn't help herself, "See? There's always a reason why we can't leave yet,"

Andrea sighed to herself, finally beginning to get what they were saying, but then a loud "clear" burst in the air, and then the gates began to creak open. All of them turned to glance at Merle who was opening the entrance. "Now, if I was y'all, I'd find some shelter before nightfall,"

Toby's face fell into confusion, his hand dropped from his hip in shock. A knowing look fell over Michonne's as she shook her head, "They knew we were coming, this was all for show,"

Immediately Andrea was back on her defensive, her tone almost pitying Michonne, Toby hated it. "Do you hear yourself? How can you know that? And why would they bother?"

"Guys!"

Andrea glanced at him quickly, "Close the gates,"

Toby immediately glared at her, shaking his head, "Not a chance in hell,"

"I practically begged the Governor to you guys stay,"

The boy took a deep breath, his frustration towards her constant savior bullshit was finally bubbling over, "We didn't ask you to do that,"

"You didn't have to," Andrea insisted, coming closer to the two to emphasize what she was saying, "That's what friends do for each other,"

Michonne paused, staring at the blonde in front of her, "It goes both ways,"

"So you wanna run around out there with walkers on chains eating twigs? Is that right?" The question was rhetorical and it finally started to solidify Andrea's choice for Toby. This was their goodbye. What a lovely way to depart.

"We held our own,"

"Eight months. Eight months on the road, moving from place to place, scavenging, living in a meat locker, that was no life. I'm tired, I don't have another eight months in me, not like that," Andrea ranted, her speech hitting Toby like knives, but the next words hit him more, "And you guys...I..."

"What about us?"

"I'm afraid you're gonna leave me behind," Andrea glanced at the three of them, the weight of her statement left Toby speechless, "You guys depend on each other so much that you barely leave room for other people and I can't do another eight months of that. If it came down to it, you would choose each other over me,"

Toby clenched his jaw, trying to hold in the impending sharp words, not right now. It wouldn't make anything feel better, the end always has a way of hurting him like a bitch.

"We always talk about this place, didn't we? A refuge? That idea is what kept us going..."

No matter what she said, it didn't matter. They were set on leaving, Toby knew this, and Michonne knew this. There was nothing that could change their mind, this place wasn't what they talked about, and this wasn't home. This was a cage that they would never escape from if they stayed.

"Are you coming or not?"

Andrea took a step back in defense, the woman's words visibly hurting her, "Don't do this, don't give me an ultimatum, not after everything,"

Toby sighed, closing his eyes, shocked at how much this actually hurts, "Andrea, are you coming or not?"

The woman didn't respond, with her eyes watering with tears, they all knew the answer. Michonne walked past her without even a second glance with Thomas in tow, the little boy feeling a little awkward and sad from the conversation. Toby stood there for a moment, looking the blonde in front of him up and down, his words were like ice, knowing that this is the only way he could speak to her without the crack in his voice, "When you realize how fucked up this place really is, don't come running back to us, we won't be there to make you feel better,"

And with that, the boy was off with a faster pace in his step to line up with Michonne and Thomas. The moment he stepped out of the gates, all the tension in his shoulders was released, they were no longer locked away in that place, they were free. Toby knew what that meant, the Governor's henchmen were going to come after them as soon as they were given the order. But the thing about that is that Toby's gonna go down shooting, he would rather be dead than be in that monstrosity of a town. And he was going to make sure to do everything to keep it that way.

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✿❣︎ 𝘼𝙐𝙏𝙃𝙊𝙍'𝙎 𝙉𝙊𝙏𝙀  ❣︎✿

heyyyyyyy :)

New chapter, kinda dramatic
and lot of tension with Andrea
but that was expected since
she's so blind this season.

A lot of things planned next chapter!!
The prison coming up soon!!! I'm so
fucking pumped! We're meeting danny!!!
And not to mention the start of
Toby's relationship with Rick!
I'm so goddamn excited for that,
like father-son type shit

Andddd I cant wait to write thomas'
and Carl's relationship, my little
baby's gonna grow so much
because of mr. Grimes. They
may be a side ship idk, we'll
seeeeeee

ALSO BIG THING!! I have a couple
good enough edits on TikTok if y'all
wanna see them! I'm really proud of
them so plz check them out! My TikTok is
linked in my bio (NEW TOBY AND
DANNY EDIT TO CELEBRATE THIS
CHAPTER SO GO WATCH!)

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!!!!