After wrapping Kim up in every layer the group could find, they drove back to Kim's house. Her parents still weren't back from their date night so Milton stuffed every little wet piece of clothing in the dryer.

Jack helped Kim to her room. Even after she had thawed a little bit, Jack was extremely worried that something else would happen if he let Kim out of his sight.

Kim mentioned that he might be a little paranoid but that set him off on a rant about her safety and how she had just endured a horrible experience because of his lack of diligence.

Kim put the argument to rest, really not up to it after the adrenaline letdown.

Jack was hesitant to let Kim out of his sight to even shower but honestly, Kim didn't think she could actually hold herself up in the shower. Instead, Jack carried her to the bathroom and sat on the floor with her while the shower ran at its hottest and steam filled the small room.

When the steam picked up, Jack left her for a minute to get her warmest clothes.

After her steam bath, Jack unzipped the jackets so all Kim had to do was shrug them off while Jack looked the other way. Dressing herself was a bit more of a problem, but she managed to find enough energy to cover herself before resorting to having Jack dress her.

When Kim was dressed she faded quickly, nearly falling asleep on the floor.

Jack sat with her, holding her close for his own comfort and reassurance just as much as hers. As he held her close to his chest on the bathroom floor, he noticed the state of her hair. Carefully and gently, he began combing through the ends, working his way up until he could properly brush her hair.

He worked slowly, not wanting to pull too hard or wake her. When her hair was all brushed through, he placed a gentle kiss on her head before wrapping his arms more securely around her and carrying her to bed. She began to stir again but Jack just shushed her softly.

Jack tucked her in her bed and sat with her until she fell fast asleep.

Jack left much later with the others, assuring them that Kim was sleeping soundly and that her parents would be home very soon.

Perhaps not so unsurprisingly, Kim woke up with a little headache, a stuffy nose, and a warm forehead.

She looked around, somewhat disoriented, and realized it was much lighter outside than usual.

She reached out for her phone but found it across the room. Sighing, she pulled the blankets back. When she sat up and tried to take a step, it suddenly felt like she was carrying a hundred pounds on her back and her head throbbed. She was exhausted.

When she reached her phone, she grabbed it and made the five-step journey back to bed.

She had a text from Jack, bidding her good morning and asking how she felt. Kim smiled, but then froze momentarily when she saw the time stamp.

2:34 am

Had Jack stayed up until two-thirty in the morning?

Feeling guilty now, she sent him a quick good morning text back as if that somehow made up for all that he had done for her.

A minute later, Kim's phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Good morning, Kim," Jack greeted softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Um…" Kim thought, still trying to wake up fully and form coherent words. "Tired."

"That's understandable. Do you know why?" he asked cautiously. "Do you remember what happened?"

Kim thought for a second, the reminders of last night rushing back to her. The fear, the cold, the water. The weight of it all.

"Yeah," Kim answered with a cracked voice. "But," Kim continued. "I… I feel better. Better than I have since that first day. I'm exhausted, but… I feel free and… I don't know, enlightened?"

Jack couldn't help sighing in relief and smiling wide. "So she's gone? For good?"

Kim looked around as if that would tell her. She didn't feel that fear and shakiness that Odessa had brought upon her the past little while. "She's not here," Kim confirmed, a smile growing on her face. "But, I can feel something, still," Kim realized.

"What?" Jack asked, afraid they weren't done after all.

"I'm not sure. It's a peace, I think. Calmness. Security. Closure. I think Odessa is finally resting peacefully. I think we did it," Kim smiled.

One more chapter left just to tie the ends together nicely. so proud of myself for finally finishing this story after starting it my junior year of high school. rip my ability to finish what i started. i'm such a subject changer. but hey i always finish what i put out there don't you ever say i'm one of those writers that just gives up or stops. i would never do that to you guys. even if it takes me literal years to finish an 18k word story 💀