- A NOTE -
Inspired by Pink's song Who Knew. I (Nyxy) did NOT write this, I simply handed over my account so a fan could post an ending and helped him edit. Credit where credit is due, this is NOT my work!
- MESSAGE FROM NYXY -
This isn't the ending I'd intended for Brand New Eyes. I had plans for a sequel and a prequel back when I was a stupid kid... needless to say, those aren't happening. I no longer consider myself a part of this fandom and won't be writing anything else for it.
I'm aware it won't be a popular ending, but I think it's time I close this chapter of my life and lay it to rest. Thank you to every reader, and especially every reviewer. If for some reason you'd like to write your own ending or anything based off of this story, you have my full permission.
- WHO KNEW -
HEATHER
Standing on the campground beach with my back towards Westfield's smoggy silhouette and the far-off suburbia that had once been our home, I realized just how much could change in three years. In some ways it felt like yesterday that we'd set off in search of a safer place, but at the same time, details grew more and more hazy as time marched on.
"Has anyone seen my nuts?!"
I laughed slightly at the desperate expression on Hammy's face as he darted to and from potential hiding places, rolling my eyes. Okay, so some things would never change.
Behind me, I could hear the kids building and destroying each other's sandcastles, Penny and Lou's attempt at a relaxing day quickly falling apart. Stella and Tiger were more successful, the unlikely couple catching sunlight together and looking like something out of a vacation advertisement. Off in the shade, I could just overhear the sounds of my dad and Verne discussing things, maybe the merits of playing dead or some equally exciting subject.
The only one who didn't seem to be having a good time was RJ. The usually charismatic raccoon stood alone, gazing out over the lake in silence. Though from a distance he appeared to be lost in the scenery, his clenched fist and vacant expression told me otherwise.
Three years.
When I think back to the hundreds of bygone days like this one, they all returned in flashes of brilliant aliveness. None of us had changed that much, but we were all different in our own ways. Except her. She'd never been given the chance.
It wasn't hard to remember Jade. There were times she drove us all crazy, but we loved her, and she had become as much a part of this family as anyone else. Our Jaded Lady. That wily raccoon had promised to stick around forever, and we all believed her... especially RJ.
Who knew.
I placed a hand on his shoulder softly, and he flinched with surprise before turning to face me.
"Heather! What's up?"
His signature grin seemed a touch forced, but I smiled anyway.
"Hey," I said softly, "just figured you could use a friend."
Nodding, RJ perked up a bit as he followed me back towards the others.
"Thanks."
His eyes, however, strayed from the scenes of family fun and back towards a shady line of trees eternally reaching towards Lake Smallwater. Beneath them, cradled in the coolness of mid-day shadows, was one small wooden headstone.
It was surrounded by trinkets and tokens of affection, a fresh daisy denoting that the small figure sleeping beneath was anything but forgotten.
I hesitated, but looked away. She wouldn't have wanted me to dwell on it or to remember her that way.
If someone had told our family how Jade's story would end, we wouldn't have believed them for even a second. Heck, Stella probably would've gassed them for even mentioning it. She'd told us she was staying for good, and had traded sweet forevers with RJ. It all seemed like a fairytale ending to the craziest of stories.
Who knew.
There would always be an empty space in family pictures, one no amount of cat food price stickers could ever cover up. At the same time though, we were all thankful. Losing Jade had hurt, but she'd won in the end. We were stronger than ever, and RJ was finally moving on like she'd begged him to on that awful, rainy night.
We were greeted on our return by Hammy and Matcha, the pretty cinnamon-furred raccoon wrapping her slender arms around RJ. She too wore a look of sadness, although she only knew of Jade through stories and pictures.
It wasn't the ending Jade deserved, but I could almost feel her looking down on us with that sarcastic grin. We were stronger for having known her, and the fact we'd made it through all this was amazing enough on its own. Together, we really could do anything.
Who knew.