A/N: I am SO sorry for the wait. My computer got damaged and (with all my stories on it) was sent to be repaired. I am really, really, really sorry! Anyway, please enjoy!

Epilogue

Trudy tried to help me out of the car, but I didn't want her help. I climbed out of the car on my own, even though it hurt a little.

I walked up the stairs to Anubis House and opened the door on my own. It felt great to do this, not be helpless for once.

I walked into the entrance hall, Trudy close behind me. I sighed happily. Oh, how I'd missed this place!

It was empty, which meant everyone was in their rooms and didn't care (unlikely), or they were hiding in the common room to throw a surprise welcome back party (extremely likely).

I decided to go along with it, and turned to Trudy. "Where is everyone?" I asked.

"I'm sorry Sweetie, they're probably off studying or doing homework or whatever it is you students do."

Unfortunately I suck at lying, so when I walked into the common room and everyone jumped out, I didn't look very surprised, even though I tried really hard.

"Surprise!" Everyone shouted, and I took in the sight before me.

Food covered the table, and I was pleased to see an Apple Pie among the fine collection of party food.

There was a "Welcome Back Nina!" sign hanging between the common room and the dining room.

There were gift bags and wrapped boxes sitting on one of the corner tables, the one part of the scene that surprised me.

"Guys, this, this is awesome." I said, in my new, firm, un-hoarse voice.

In seconds I was surrounded by them, and I liked it.

"Nina! You look so much better!" Mara said happily, examining my arms. Instead of gory gashes, there were now long scars, but the doctors said they would grow lighter with time.

"I know!" I answered. I felt better too, even though I still had at least one nightmare every night about the Puma.

"Wow Nina, you really pulled through okay." Patricia said, sounding amazed.

"You look a lot better than when I first found you." Fabian said, with a giggle in his tone.

"You can say that again. Maybe I look different now because I'm not covered in blood and dying." I responded, laughing with him.

"Maybe I'm not killing a crazy Mountain Lion with Victor's letter opener and a dictionary," He said, and now everyone laughed.

"Come on you guys, Trudy made cake!" Amber said, a whine in her tone.

We all walked over to the table and served ourselves, I cut myself a huge piece of Apple Pie. It was kind of hard, because my arms were still weak, but I did it, by myself.

Grabbing a muffin (That's a Shout-Out to my BFF in RL, martymuarry) and putting it on my plate was a lot easier, but pouring myself some lemonade was hard, just like the pie.

I had a lot of fun at the party. I ate Apple Pie, and I even danced with Fabian a little.

My gifts were pretty simple, but sweet. Fabian had bought me a Dream Catcher, to catch the nightmares, Amber had finally replaced our blood-stained pink rug with a blue one, and all the residents of Anubis House had signed a hand-made card.

All of these gestures were well planned, and brightened my day.

I just had one last thing I wanted to accomplish today.

I wanted to go upstairs, and go into my room.

Just the very thought of it made my heart beat faster.

The party was almost over now, and I was sitting alone, on an armchair.

"Nina? Are you alright?" Fabian asked, walking over to me.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll just go up to my room now and…" But then I stopped, because my voice was about to crack.

"Oh Nina." Fabian said, and grasped my hand. "I'll go up with you, okay?"

I just nodded, my throat tight.

We walked up the stairs together, and I squeezed his hand tightly.

We walked into the hallway, and I squeezed his hand even tighter.

We opened the door to my room, and I think I was cutting off the circulation in the tips of Fabian's fingers.

"I…I can't do it." I whimpered, and I stood there, paralyzed.

"Nina, you can, I promise. Nothing here is going to hurt you." Fabian said soothingly, and he gently tugged me into my room.

Images flashed in my head, and they weren't happy thoughts. Blood running down the floor like water, the feel of the puma's claws on my skin, the terror.

A tear slipped down my cheek as I ran to the spot where it happened.

There was no inkling of it, no bloodstain or plaque, "Nina almost died here"

Everything was normal, like it had been before.

Everything would be normal.

My nightmares would stop.

Fabian gently guided me to my bed, and sat down next to me.

"I told you Nina," he said, "I told you that you were strong enough to do it."

"I should have listened Fabian." I answered, and a sweet little smile played across my lips. "You're always right."

The End

A/N: That's the ending! Did you like it? I have a Bonus Chapter I might post…still not sure. If anyone wants, I'll post a sequel!