The wedding was simple, for both Ib and Garry had never been complicated people. For Ib, Mary was her maid of honor while Nora (who luckily was able to attend) was a bridesmaid. Roy was Garry's best man, and Allen was a groomsman. Much to Ib's happiness, Mason had remained her friend and had shown up. Garry had known about what had occurred, but he decided to let bygones be bygones and welcomed Mason warmly. The honeymoon was both fun and extraordinary, but alas, life beckoned them to return. They decided to live in Garry's apartment; they could move in the future if the need arose.

It was strange, being married. Both had quirks that irritated the other, such as Garry leaving dirty socks lying on the floor in the bedroom and Ib's forgetfulness to place the cap back on the toothpaste. However, they enjoyed each other's company immensely, and to Ib, the greatest thing in the world was falling asleep and waking up beside the man she loved so much. Intimacy was another event in which both enjoyed. Previously, it had only occurred once before their marriage, but now…

Garry amazed her. Every day. His smile and laugh could chase away any thoughts of sadness or unhappiness. He helped Ib with school as well as being a phenomenal teacher. As always, he was ever-ready to offer a helping hand to anyone who needed it. Ib would offer him aid as well; his leg would often cause him pain, and his limp would slow him down at times, but she was patient and supportive. Ib's parents would come over and visit often, as well as Roy and Mary, and they would go over to their places as well. Holidays were often spent at Ib's parents' house, with everyone there to celebrate.

Life was blissful. A year passed.

Naturally, there were changes made, such as Allen and Nora's marriage; on the other hand, everyone stayed the same. Mary still decided to not attend college so she could help out more around the apartment and have the ability to work more. Roy had talked to Garry about the possibility of asking Mary to marry him, but that he needed more time and money for the ring. Still the same, helpful person, Garry offered some financial support, to which Roy politely declined.

Thing was, it was more than just money issues that he was concerned about. Mary had started acting out again, and this time, it occurred more frequently. Roy would sometimes come home to see the place ransacked, and just when he would get it back in order, she would demolish it again. Each time, she would sob bitter tears and apologize; Roy knew it was not her, and he could not be angry with her for something that was beyond her control. He wanted to keep it a secret from Garry and Ib so as not to worry them, but it was starting to get out of hand. Once, she nearly broke a window, and Roy thought for certain that Garry and Ib would discover it. Despite everything that was happening, he still loved Mary deeply, and his love would intensify for her with each day. She loved him just as much, and there were still amazing times that were shared.

One evening, the following day of one of Mary's episodes, Roy came home to see her staring at the painting. Her eyes were full of determination and anxiety, and when he approached her, she changed her demeanor immediately.

"What's on your mind, Mary?" he asked.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just thinking, is all."

"Yeah? What about?"

She shifted her weight from foot to foot. "…Nothing, Roy."

Roy could tell she was hiding something from him… something that troubled her. He placed his hands gently on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. There was so much emotion in her eyes, and it amazed him that one person could have so many feelings coursing throughout their minds. "Mary… please."

Mary tried to look away, but she could not. She exhaled a sigh of defeat and looked at the painting. "…You know… I have dreams- no, nightmares- every night of the things the other Mary did within the painting. I'm part of her. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if I was her." She looked into Roy's eyes and smiled sadly. "…If it gets worse… if it becomes too much... I have to put a stop to it."

Roy shook his head. "No. No, Mary. I won't hear of that. You mean too much."

"But, there's the real Mary. She's not like me."

"You don't know that."

Mary shook her head this time. "…I have dreams about her, too. In them, she seems so nice and loving."

Roy felt his heart break little by little. Every word that came out of Mary's mouth caused him more grief. He loved her. He could not and would not let her do this. "Mary… you can't. I love you. No matter how bad it gets, I can handle it. Okay?"

Mary's eyes still held sorrow in them. She waited a moment then smiled at Roy. "…Okay."

After that night, things steadily began to worsen. Roy could tell that Mary fought it with every fiber of her being. She would barely sleep and eat, which caused him to do the same from worry. Soon, they could not keep it from Ib and Garry, who decided to help as much as they could. Time went on, and it worsened to the point in which Mary could not work anymore. Someone had to always be with her to prevent her from hurting herself, but in turn, they would get harmed. Roy, Ib, and Garry all had injuries from their endeavors with Mary. It was as if the Mary they knew was only around for a small time before the Mary from Guertena's painting would emerge and cause chaos. Neighbors would complain about the commotion, and Roy would apologize constantly for it. Three months of this went on.

One evening, while Roy was away at work, Garry and Ib went over to watch Mary. When they opened the door, Mary greeted them with an exhausted smile. In her arms was the plain blue painting. Confused, they questioned her as to what she was doing.

"…I've made up my mind," she spoke. "I've harmed you all too much. I have to end this."

Garry and Ib jerked, stunned. "No!" they both cried out.

"Mary, stop considering this. We promised you that we would take care of you," Garry said.

"And for how much longer? Hmm?" she questioned. "Look at the three of you. I can't keep doing this to you. Also, what if I hurt someone else?"

"We said-"

Mary shook her head, a sad smile on her face. "I'm… in pain, Ib. I am constantly torn from this world and the other. The thought of what I do when I am in that world terrifies me. I have no control…" She hugged the painting closer to her chest. "I love you all so much. I just can't do this anymore…"

Ib felt tears sting her eyes. "Mary, please, stop this."

"I can't," Mary stated. "It's already set in motion, Ib. I want this to end."

"What about Roy?!" Garry yelled, unable to contain his frustration. "Don't you know that he'll miss you the most?!"

Mary closed her eyes. "…I know. But… this is what needs to be done. I've made up my mind." She walked past them and out the door. They followed her to see her throw the picture in an empty trash can and bring out a lighter. Before they could stop her, she lit the picture on fire. Oddly, it was an instantaneous ignition, and the flame turned blue. Mary made a sharp cry from pain, but afterwards was silent. Words failed Garry and Ib, who just stood there, stunned. They wanted to stop it, to take it all back, but it was too late. They were supposed to take care of her, to keep her safe… Instead, she was going to disappear.

Mary stared at the burning picture, her eyes void of any emotion. "I already feel… as though I did the right thing," she softly spoke. "I know you don't understand… but… I couldn't keep hurting others. I couldn't even discern what was real and what was not anymore." She started to shake. "…This is too cruel… Guertena is so cruel… All I wanted was to be happy…"

"So did I."

Mary gasped and turned around to see Roy standing there, his eyes full of sadness.

"Roy," Garry sighed, utterly distraught. He had promised Roy that he would help take care of Mary, and now this. He felt as though he had failed him.

"I only wanted you to be happy with me, Mary. That's all," Roy said as he walked closer to her.

"I couldn't keep doing this… I-"

"Shh…" Roy said as he held up his index finger to his lips, a heartbreaking smile on his face. "I knew that you were going to do this. I knew your soul was in anguish and torment. It was only a matter of time."

Mary's eyes filled with tears. "I never meant to hurt you…"

Roy shook his head. "I know you didn't."

"I loved you."

"I love you," Roy said, still keeping the present tense of the verb 'love'.

"You made me so happy the short time I was here," Mary smiled, the tears nearly spilling over her lashes. "Every day was a new journey worth taking. I wanted to spend it forever with you…" Roy gasped as he realized that she was starting to fade away. He had to retain his composure though; if he lost it, she would too. "Roy, you have to promise me something."

"What's that?"

"…Look for the real Mary. Become friends with her… give her a chance."

Roy jerked back, visibly taken aback by her request. "You can't ask me that, Mary. That's too much!"

"Oh, Roy… please," Mary pled, nearly sobbing. "She's a wonderful person… the real person."

"She's not you," Roy argued.

"I've seen her in my dreams. She truly is wonderful," Mary said. "Please, you have to find her… you have to."

Roy bit his lip. He had to agree, or Mary would regret everything. "…I promise."

Mary smiled. "Good. I have another request."

"Anything."

Mary looked down at the ground. "Don't forget me."

Roy smiled at her, his eyes full of sorrow and love. "You can count on me."

Mary smiled as well and closed her eyes, tears finally escaping her lashes. "Thank you…"

With this, she disappeared, leaving Roy, Garry, and Ib behind. The wind gently blew as the setting sun gave the sky a mixture of vivid red, orange, yellow, purple, and pink hues. Ib cried silently as Garry held her hand; Roy stood still, staring at the place Mary had been, as the wind rustled their clothes and hair. The picture had completely burnt, and even the smoke had stopped rising. While they stood there, Roy recalled their moments together, from when they first met and all the times they spent together. She had been what kept him going day to day, what he strove for. Her smile would greet him every morning and would be the last thing he saw at night. If he had any regrets, it would have been that he could not protect her. Silence was the only thing that could be heard, and it was some time before anyone could find their voices to speak.

"Was this all right?" Garry asked.

Swallowing his overwhelming urge to release his tears, he hid his grief with a smile. "…It sure was."

"So… what are you going to do now?"Garry questioned.

"I made a promise to find the 'real' Mary, didn't I?" Roy answered. "So, I'll be leaving soon. I can't just sit by and do nothing. I have a promise to keep."

"…I see," Garry smiled sadly as Ib cried harder.

They wanted to take it all back… to return to the way it was…

But those days were now merely ashes that scattered in the breeze.