EPILOGUE

The sound of the pen against paper was soothing to him. Sitting alone on the bed, Blaine reflected on the last few months as his hand moved swiftly over the page of his journal.

Wednesday, March 19th

Well, the trial is in a few hours. I knew this day was going to come. I'm still not sure I am ready for this. I have vacillated for almost six months about whether or not to go. Kurt has been on the fence as well. But then we reminded each other of something. We reminded each other of a conversation we had back in September about standing up for what's right. So long as no one stands up to hate, it will continue to thrive. We have to show these people that they will not triumph and that they cannot torment the innocent. Perhaps if enough of us stand up to them, it will send a message to the rest of those haters. Will it eliminate it completely? Who knows? But, it's worth it to try.

To be completely honest, I don't know if I will be able to face them. While the worst of them is no longer on this earth, his followers have done their fair share of unthinkable things. Will Kurt and I be able to look at them when we take the witness stand? Will we become vulnerable and crumble in front of them? As I write this, I think I can say maybe. But we will come out stronger. We already have. If there's one thing these last few months have taught me it's that, together, Kurt and I can survive almost anything. Neither of us will ever be as frightened as we were that night. And if facing them once more means putting them where they can never hurt anyone again, I think we are willing to endure the pain. Not just for us, but for all of the people they have stepped on over the years. We owe it to them.

It is still mind boggling how people can seed so much blind hate. Is it fear? Is it superiority? Is it arrogance? Yes, probably all of those. I just know that it is taught. These ideas have to be squashed before they grow into a horrible disease. Hopefully, over time, more of us can help stop the spread.

I don't hate these men. I hate the ideas that made them. I can hope their time in prison brings them moments of self-reflection. While it's too late for them to change it for themselves, maybe stopping them will stop the seed from being passed to the next person. We can only push on and be soldiers for peace.

In conclusion, all I know for certain after coming out of this…

...love always wins.

THE END