Epilogue
Ash and Alaka were still grounded for breaking the rules once we got back. I spent the plane ride talking to my mom, glad to see her. Dad slept through most of it while the other two used a marker and drew on his face. Right, like they weren't in enough trouble as it was. But despite our differences, I liked those two. I had to admit I was secretly glad I wasn't an only child. At least, not anymore.
It turned out Flippers was wanted in America anyway, so the police were glad to have him turned in. Mom refused to say how he'd planned to torture us, and frankly, I could live with not knowing. All that mattered was that my spy life was finally over. Wasn't that what I'd wanted all along?
I'd requested to return to my old place one last time to grab a few things before I moved back in with my real family. Before I knew it, I was back. I took a moment to study the home I'd lived in for close to fifteen, sixteen years. Come to think of it, I was almost sixteen. Maybe the three of us could do something for our birthday.
Back in my room, I stacked up my soccer cards, packed up some clothes, and kept my videogames. Maybe Ash would play them with me. It was always nice to have someone to game with. And that was what I'd spend vacation doing, not chasing after criminals and saving the world.
Was I going to miss this place? Well, a little. And I was going to miss Jack too, of course. But I'd learned to start over and move on, and so that was what I was going to do. I took the pocket knife out of my pocket and looked at it for a moment. Did I still need it? No, not where I was going. I placed it on the dresser. If I really had to, I'd come back for it. But I wouldn't be needing it any time soon.
"Alex!" Dad yelled. "Are you ready yet?"
"Almost." I stepped out into the kitchen, taking a moment to look at the door. The police had come in through that very door and told me of Ian Rider's death. Then Dad had crashed through it. Everything started and ended here, didn't it?
"Hey." Dad tapped my shoulder. "It's time to go, Alex."
I looked back at the house once, then nodded. "Coming," I called, following him out and getting into the car. Dad was right. It was time for me to leave. And to my surprise, I didn't actually mind as much as I thought I would.
I smiled as I went off to restart my life with my real family, knowing that from now on, I'd be able to do whatever I wanted. From now on, I would never have to be hurt by lies and cheating and the world around me. And, most importantly of all, I would never, ever have to or need to find an excuse for hurting myself again.
(A/N: And that's the end! Hope you liked it. Thanks again to Cap't Mo :) )
