"See? Wasn't so difficult." Phineas gave a fake smile and a quick breath. Ezra and Gus looked at each other questioningly. Phineas stopped the others in their tracks as they neared the secondary barrier. The four took a second to catch their breath and sat down to laugh at the whole situation. "Here we are again."

"Wow. You two look awful. I'd have to say that's an improvement though." Ezra wanted to go in for a hug, but just decided for a handshake instead. The other two looked to one another and went in for the hug anyway.

"Woah there! Ok! These bones aren't made of steel, little tight there. Ok, ok." Ezra begrudgingly hugged back. "Missed you two idiots…"

"Don't you ever leave us again!" Gus grabbed his ear and scolded him for breaking his heart before letting go to hug him again. Ezra chuckled, then the three took a moment before Gus said, "I think I have fleas."

The other two repulsed and let go, brushing themselves free of Gus' loose hairs. Phineas groaned, "That is so gross!"

Gus chuckled then apologized, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself."

"If the Host doesn't kill us, I am going to kill you myself. You're already dead, but I'll find a way." Ezra assured him. The trio crept up to the next archway and peered around at the second barrier. Phineas shushed the others and looked ahead while Lillian watched from afar.

"Ok, be very quiet and let me do the talking." Phineas put two fingers to his mouth and crouched down as they neared the last defense of the exit. As they passed quietly and stealthily, above them was a small doll, no bigger than a pot watching patiently.

The Ghostess was a busy thing who made sure that no problems came to the mansion. She cared for the organization of the in and out of people leaving the Mansion. Her mother ran most of operations from the séance room, so she was often very bored. Her greatest joy in life was watching the guests in her little spot just before the exit. She hoped they would come back.

Right now, she was working on some Death Certificates, verification that they were residents within the Mansion. She had sat herself down on the counter and flipped through the scrolls when she was surprised to see Phineas.

"Well if it isn't little Leota! How is my pint-sized prophet?" Phineas asked, sending some finger guns towards the Ghostess. The Ghostess didn't like being ridiculed, especially by this hooligan, but she had become used to it given her size. "Professor Phineas Pock, how may I help you today?"

"Ah! Someone finally remembered I am officially a Professor. Well, Ghostess who I love the most-est. My friends and I were hoping to leave with our mortal friend."

"That's odd. As I recall I thought that visiting hours were over."

"She was left behind overnight."

"Oh. That's terrible. Have you talked with the Host and Leota about it?" the Hostess asked, looking through some information and bird seed, "I can get them now if you'd like."

"That won't be necessary. Leota thinks I'm not a good person and thinks I'd do something horrible out there. In many ways, that is true. But, but! Think of it this way! Would you really separate her from her family? You know what it's like to be separated don't you?" Phineas pulled a photo from the shelf the Ghostess was resting on, "Your mother is always away in the séance room. Wouldn't you like to see her?"

"Phineas. You threw a baby. There is no way in the fifth dimension that I am letting you and your lackeys out." The Hostess stood her ground and glared at Phineas.

He grabbed the small ghost and threw her with all his might down the stairs behind him. When she was out of the picture, he straightened his collar, then moved back up to the exit. The remaining group was a little horrified by this and followed Phineas at a distance.

The exit was now in sight, and all four stepped out into the moonlight. Phineas took a deep breath in the night air and looked back at the others. "Isn't it wonderful?"

He smiled gleefully and invited them to join him, "Come on! Let's go."

"Phineas. We can't leave. Not yet." Gus told him. Phineas turned to him and watched as Lillian stepped out into the air. The night was cold and open. They were finally out.

"We really had to work for it this time." Ezra noted. They stepped outside the Mansion at a bench and all three sat down. Eventually Lillian wandered up, and Phineas, the most stubborn of the bunch, moved so she could sit down. The four gazed up at the stars and relaxed.

They felt alive.

"This is it, huh? I never thought it would be so rewarding just to sit down and…rest." Lillian admitted. The three nodded. Ezra begged the question, and asked, "Hey, do you think this is what heaven is like?"

"What do you mean?" Phineas asked. Ezra answered with a breath, "People spend all their lives, all they can to come here, to get a feeling of hope and living. Some people whose bodies aren't dead are dead inside. And that hurts. But…heaven, must be that feeling when you don't feel lonely anymore. Like nothing is stuffy or crowded…that everything is ok."

"Guess we'll never know." Gus admitted.

"Even so, we're all, together aren't we? We all did it." Phineas exhaled. A minute passed, and Gus said, "I think that this is what heaven is…to know everything is going to be alright. That it was worth it."

The other two smiled and without saying a word, agreed. They sat there for a long time, eventually all but Lillian falling asleep.

Why do we try?

Watching for sunlight?

Watching for dawn?

Why does a lullaby

Must end

When is it gone?

"There you all are!" The shout of the Host came from the front entrance. He was standing beside a very tired Caretaker with the Ghostess hiding behind his pant leg. "You are coming back and explaining yourselves to Leota."

I always sleep

With you by my side

Push you away

I've tried

But every day…

My lullaby comes back to me

And I dream a wakeless little dream

Lillian shushed him, then pointed up at the stars before tapping the ground beside the bench. The Host eyed her, then took the moment to sit down next to the others. They were soon joined by the painting players, where Catty curled up at the foot of the bench and Horseman held his head under his shoulder.

I couldn't have thought you'd stay

Even now I think you're away

Distant and unforgiving

Patient. Unrelenting

Why does our lullaby have to be this way?

I remember long ago

We were so close you know

We had something although

We were apart

But my lullaby keeps dreaming on…

It was a long time before Constance and Hatbox even stepped out of the shadows. The Host looked at them, then looked to Lillian. Lillian, in turn, stood up and slowly approached the two so they could pass through the barrier. She stared at them, then looked at the axe Constance instinctively had in her hand, and glared at her, urging her to put it down.

Oh 'Neath this dismal cave

I dream for you so brave

A lullaby in the night

To come and hold me tight

And keep me safe and warm

Constance looked at the axe and slowly dropped it to the ground with a clatter when Lillian offered her hand. Constance reached for it, but her hand passed right through it. Constance sadly looked at her and bowed her head. Lillian frowned in disappointment, but she reached in and took the hand herself.

Though my curiosity

Has gotten the better of me

My lullaby still dies

To be with you again

Just like we did then

And when the night is through

I know just what I'll do

Constance and Hatbox couldn't pass through without being forgiven first, and in that moment, Lillian let them pass through the barrier. As Constance stepped into the moonlight, Hatbox followed behind. They took one another in either hand and for the first time in a long time, they both danced with their devils in the moonlight.

I'll wake from my bed alone

And call you out there in the cold

Back to our home

And when we're both dead and old

I'll remember what we had and so

The night can bring us in tow

Until the lullaby slips away…

Ahhhhhh….

Ahh…

Ah.

Ahhh…

La

Lala

La la

They danced for a little while, but eventually they sat down next to each other. The whole group was all together, all taking a break from trying to hurt one another for just a moment. This would eventually end, but for the moment, they were outside of the mansion. They were free of their dark places, and in that, they found heaven.

Hatbox woke up Constance later, making her look at him sadly, before getting up and smiling. A genuine smile. Not hateful or horrible. But it turned sad, and Hatbox helped her back inside before the others could get back up. Constance brushed her foot against the hilt of her axe as she was about to go inside. She picked it up, and she and Hatbox exchanged looks.

Until the lullaby I hold you dear

Won't rest until you're near

And the nightfall slips away…

Dum dum dum…

Constance set the axe down gently before looking to her hands. She slipped off her wedding ring, the one given to her by her fifth husband. She set it down on the ground and raised her foot high before nailing it into the stone with a stomp. She picked back up the axe then gave an evil look to Hatbox, who returned the look.

She slung the axe over her shoulder, then the pair went down the hall. Hatbox chuckled, and the two made the long climb up to the attic.

When the Hitchhikers awoke, the Host stood over them. "Come now. Time to go back inside."

"Five more minutes…" Gus said, rolling over as he used his beard as a bed. Ezra yawned and picked up the dwarf then loaded him up on his shoulders. Phineas eventually joined them, going with the others back inside.

"Come in, all of you, Leota will help." The Host nodded, and the traveler and the skeleton helped their friend in, followed soon behind by Lillian.