Mind Games

Chapter 64 - Aftermath

Waves crashed on the shore in the distance.

The setting sun sent sparkles of light on the water.

Palm leaves rustled in the evening breeze.

Her cat was curled on her lap.

Life seemed perfect.

It was the bubble she had always wanted to be in.

It had always worried her that she would be alone in that bubble.

She grew older feeling left out of life.

She saw her friends' posts on Instagram. Getting married, having kids, travelling the world... Living.

And she was always on the outside. Juggling her own burdens. Battling her own demons.

But now, sitting on the front porch of her beach house, watching the sun set and Snowball firmly settled in place, she finally felt content.

Amy had manipulated her. She realised that now.

That was what it was programmed to do. Manipulate. Destroy. May be not intentionally, but it picked up the subconscious being of its creator. And turned into a demon in its own right.

When she read the news of Sean's death she knew it wasn't just an accident. Or a suicide.

She had killed him. And Amy was her weapon. For one last time. Amy's swansong.

She was surprised to realise that she felt no remorse. Instead, an odd feeling of satisfaction settled over her.

It was like Sean represented everything bad that had happened in her life. All her demons. And she had killed him.

Now she was at peace.

As the sun dipped into the ocean and the fireflies emerged, she felt just one emotion, all alone in her bubble.

Happiness.

______________________________________

In a different state across the country, the boy smiled at the girl who had just opened the door of her house.

She smiled back. "Hey, Ryan. Come in!"

He handed her the bouquet of orchids that he knew she liked. And he felt a warm, fuzzy feeling as he watched her blush.

"Cassie, is that Ryan?" Her grandmother called from the kitchen.

"Yes, grandma." She called back.

The grey haired lady came out to greet him. "Hello, dear." She beamed. "Dinner is ready. Right this way!"

He shut the door behind him and joined them at the table.

As he dug into roast chicken, he looked up at the girl he'd always loved. She looked back at him.

And they both smiled.

______________________________________

A few miles away, Wendy tossed the bouquet over her shoulder and laughed as she heard her friends squeal.

She whirled back and met the eyes of the man she had just married.

Fred.

Who would've thought?

He was so unlike her. So unlike Sam.

But with him, she was sure. She never had to keep wondering if he loved her or not. If he would choose to marry her or not. If he would cheat on her or not.

She just had to look into his eyes and she knew.

This is what love was. No questions. No doubts.

If that night had been a mistake, he was the best mistake she could've made.

She never did read that little article in the news about Sam. She never knew what happened to him. He just faded away from her life like most people eventually do.

And without him, she found her happiness.

A/N: Crossed 3k views! Woohoo!!
Thank you all so much for staying with me right till the end (well almost till the end, this is not done yet :))
Thank you for the reads, the votes and most importantly, the words of encouragement that kept me going.
Special thanks to riya_thewriter who has consistently been giving me the confidence to keep writing this story ♡