I plunged through the froth, the foam as white and as bitterly freezing as the snow it had melted from. Although it was warm enough to be in liquid form, the water was unbearably cold. But, flowing deep underneath the tumbling surface, I gritted my teeth and pulled myself forward; if the water was cold enough to freeze someone to death within less than a half an hour, then I needed to find Aurora and get her out fast. I had my eyes sealed, peering through the dark through aura. This way, it would be easier to find Aurora, who was a very opaque figure of the blue energy. The problem was that her sacrifice left her aura strewn all over in the current. Seeing soft, rippling veils of aura confused me. The current continued its efforts to suffocate me, tossing my body to and fro. I am lucky to be an excellent swimmer – I had a majority of my motions in control. I continued to pull myself in forward motion, executing quick dodges to avoid painful collisions with the walls of the river. Unlike most people, I allowed the current to guide me to some extent, not thinking to fight against it. I would waste my energy that way, and would have none to spare in an effort to rise to the surface and breathe. I am also lucky to be an efficient user of oxygen – I do not have to waste so much time gulping for air. I thought to myself – how much longer could I last in the water before the cold seizes my life? I guessed a few more minutes – I just hoped I did not over-estimate.

Now I sense that the river was losing momentum – the flash flood was finally slowing down. More factors began to turn in my favor; I started to see traces of stronger aura, not like the wisps floating around. The visible blue energy was growing thick, the sign of its source in a location close by. I was just worried that aura may be leaking from Aurora – the only time aura drifts away without being forced is when the body it inhabits passes away. Fear engulfed me, a feeling so great that my skin could not feel the biting cold. I swerved to the right, barely skimming a branch, sharp enough to impale me. I am glad those deadly arms have not caught Aurora.

On and on I flew, constantly calculating the time spent underwater. I decided it was finally time for a breath of fresh air – my lungs began to burn from being deprived of oxygen. I dove down deeper until I reached the eroding riverbed, and pushed off from it in one, powerful bound. I broke the surface, flying over the froth and tumbling spray for a few brief seconds before plummeting back down into the fast paced, dark river. My strength was renewed, but my resistance to the freeze not so. I hoped that I will not contract hypothermia, but I definitely knew that, if still alive, Aurora is suffering major heat loss. Each and every second was spent on swimming farther and farther, searching for Aurora. How much time do I have left? By now, I felt tired and have stopped shivering. Not good; I was beginning to succumb to hypothermia. But I didn't want to give up. Aurora was out there, somewhere – she had to be alive. I felt my muscles begin to falter, my mind weakening. Am I dying? No – I forced myself awake. Suddenly, my face bumped into something. It was as hard as a stone, but the surface was soft, the texture like a wet cloth. And beyond this cloth was a great source of warmth. This warmth spread from the side of the cheek that touched it throughout my entire body to the very tips of my claws. Instantly, I reached out and clutched it to my side. I recognized what it was – it was Mandite's armor and sword, bundled up in his special cape. It must have been swooped off when Aurora was washed down. His living sword, Galaxia, brimming with seething fire, carried on through brisk, cold torrents. This fire gave me the warmth to stay alive, and a brand new hope. I kept it close, regaining balance of my temperature with this living brand of fire. Warmth was no longer an issue for me, but I still had to keep track of time – Aurora did not this to protect her. I quickly swam forth, darting around debris that were washed by the flash flood. I see a heavy concentration of aura; is that – wait, no; that's just another thick leak of aura. But, could that be -? Yet again, I am disappointed. I swoop my head this way and that to capture a wider view of the water. I have swam as fast as I could along with the speed of the flash flood, and Aurora only have been drifting along – should I have not caught up to her by now?

I spot something new – faint waves of pulsing aura, the very characteristic of a living being. I felt my heart skip one, two beats, being so hopeful. This could be it, this could be Aurora! Not only that, she could still be alive. Only waves come from the living. I eagerly swam forth, and there, to the right of my peripheral vision, was a figure with wave patterns I only recognize as Aurora. In a burst of renewed energy, I pulled myself forward. From observations, Aurora was unconscious – she was making no effort to swim, the water only toying with her drifting figure. And yet, she was alive. I carefully wrap an arm around her stomach and held her and Mandite's bundle securely to my body on one side, and used my free arm to swim. I was becoming more chilled by the second – I have sacrificed my warmth to Aurora, being that she obviously needed it more than I. My duty now was to get us both out of the river alive. I searched for a suitable place with sufficient holding to ensure an easy escape from the water's velocity. I searched around – there is one. I made my way over, but with me now swimming with my weight and Aurora's, I couldn't make it on time. I watched it pass from my reach. But I cannot wait for another bank like that – it might be my last chance, our last chance at survival. In tremendous effort, I strained my muscles to swim back to the bank. Immediately, my limbs were pained. To fight against the current with heavy drag and the threat of loosing grasp of Aurora was the most difficult challenge I have ever faced. But I did not think about how hard it was to swim, nor how painful my muscles felt – my mind was set on clear cut determination. Aurora's life was depending on me, and I cannot let little things like that get in the way of her life. Slowly, but surely, I shortened the distance between me and the shore. Gasping and panting, I paddled with one arm and two legs towards the bank. But in one second, I felt an intense, sharp pain bolt up my entire left leg, and I was jerked from my concentration. I began to slip away from the goal I had worked so hard to get to. In desperation, I tried to kick, but my energy was burned out. Anxiously, I waited to swim, keeping myself afloat, and making sure Aurora did not slip away from me, holding her tight. Whimpering pitifully, with me in such a vulnerable state with the lives of us two in my paws, I prayed for a miracle. Aurora had to live.

I was thinking bitterly about my pulled limb muscle when my attention was abruptly set off course to a new source of pain – something caught tight to my arm, and was pulling on it fiercely. I yelped from surprise and tried to push away from it.

"HOLD ON, IDIOT!" I quickly looked up to see a round figure holding tight to my elbow. Mandite began to walk backwards, using all his might to try and pull us out. If I ever had doubts relating to the thought of Mandite being only a mere child, they no longer exist; Mandite was supernaturally strong, considering his age and size. His face was pinched as he strained to free us from the the tight bounds that the river kept around me and Aurora. Out of desperation, I kicked my legs, despite my aching left hind limb. If there was a time to swim my heart out, it was now. All three of us were in danger of being sucked into the raging river, and we would all drown for sure. This was the most frightening game of tug-of-war I have ever participated in – now I know how the rope feels. Mandite relaxed for a brief moment, letting himself slide so dangerously close to the rim of the bank, and I panicked. But Mandite, so unnaturally calm and persistent, gave a final tug, one supreme force of power, that threw us clean out of the water. I tumbled out onto the compacted dirt, and laid Aurora gently by my side. I was exhausted, my entire body aching from working far past my physical limitations. I forced myself not to collapse in a wet heap of fur, and began to address my concerns. I shook off what moisture I can from my fur, so the oncoming evening chill will not strike a blow against me. After spraying the ground and Mandite with the access water, I acknowledged once again the old fear that got me into the river in the first place. I leaned over Aurora's limp body.

[Aurora?] I anxiously waited for an answer. None came.

[Aurora!] Nervously, I brought out a paw, and searched for a pulse around her throat. I rested it on a slowly pulsing artery. I leaned closer to Aurora's expressionless face, her eyes serenely closed, and listened for breathing. No rasping was heard, not even a gasp – I didn't even feel a puff of air on my cheek, being so intent on finding signs of life. It occurred to me that her lungs must be waterlogged. Gingerly, I pressed on the region of her stomach, where I guessed her diaphragm was. No response. I tried several more times, each time with fruitless results.

[Aurora!] I cried out, shaking her slightly by the shoulders. Suddenly, Aurora's eyes flung open, and she bent over to her side and vomited out her retained water. Coughing and sputtering, her body remained rigid and hunched. Sighing with relief, I wrapped my arm around her shaking shoulders, and I realized that she was still so cold, despite Galaxia pressed against her side. Gently, I pushed her body back onto the ground.

[Rest,] I told her, [and take deep breaths. Are you all right?] Aurora's chest heaved in uneven breaths, shuddering each time. She looked into my eyes with a faltering gaze, the fire dying down low.

[Lucario,] she said weakly, [I am so cold...]

[I know.] I replied, brushing her arm with a paw. She was still wet, and an easy target for another threat from low temperatures. [Aurora, you need to dry yourself, or you will get colder – Aurora?] Aurora's eyes were closing slowly.

[I'm so tired...] She said, in a voice incredibly weak – a feeble, dying voice I was begging to the whole world not to hear from her.

[Aurora, you have to stay awake!] I told her anxiously, [If you fall asleep, you will die.] Aurora only moaned, and was gradually losing strength to hold her head facing up. She clenched her teeth in pain, and then relaxed.

[Lucario,] she said. I held her paw with both of mine, leaning so close to her that our noses were only an inch apart, desperately trying to hear every breath she inhales.

[Yes?]

[I -] her voice faltered, and in obvious effort, she tried again, [I just want to...] She shuddered, and the pulse I felt in the wrist of the paw I was holding began to flutter in uneven beats. My own heart started to race – Aurora can't be dying right after I saved her from drowning.

[Aurora,] I cried out to her through my mind, [stay with me! Wake up!] But the female's pulse slowed its flight, beating randomly.

[Please!] I was being ripped and torn from my own feelings of guilt and loss, each painful tear causing me to wince. I never knew that feelings could actually hurt physically. There was a sharp, stabbing pain in my chest.

Even worse, the vein that throbbed in Aurora's wrist no longer pulsed.

[Aurora!] In disbelief, I fell back onto my haunches, panting with my eyes open wide. I shook my head, but I couldn't feel the reality of it all sinking in. She's gone – again.

"What's going on?" Mandite walked over and saw Aurora laying still on the ground, "Oh." He quietly crept next to me, and sat down. Together we sat, our minds numb from its failure to acknowledge Aurora's passing. We sat there in vigil, for who knows how long.

"Wait a second." Mandite suddenly sat up and bounded over to Aurora's body. His hand darted around Aurora's neck for a pulse. But I knew that there was none – I only watched him search in vain. Mandite frowned, and looked up at me.

"You're gonna have to forgive me for this." he said, and I blinked back, confused. Mandite lifted Aurora up by the scruff of her neck, and in a flash, threw a hard fist into her stomach. I cried out in shock, and I rushed over to her body. Mandite quickly jumped out of the way.

"What did you do?!" I yelled at him, but Mandite only looked at me with his pale green eyes wide, and pointed to something behind me. I whipped around to look at Aurora's body, at her gentle face.

To see thin slits of magenta flames slowly opening. I turned back to Mandite, who only shrugged and gestured to Aurora. As I said, he was a good kid. He plodded over to his lumpy pile of belongings, and I turned back and knelt next to Aurora, whose eyes were now half open. She had came back from the dead, practically. For a few seconds, we just sat there, staring at each other, neither of us not knowing what to say. Then, to my own surprise, I reached out and gently pulled Aurora to close to me, wrapping my shaking arms around her thin body. And I held her, making sure that she was actually there with me. Sure enough, her shoulders were rising and falling evenly, and I felt her breath tickling my cheek. My eyes started to sting from tears of relief and utter joy, but I managed to force them back. I breathed deeply, making sure my hold was firm, but gentle. I closed my eyes, feeling the very proof that she was alive, and still with me.

[I thought I lost you.] I managed to say to her. Aurora shifted slightly, and laid her head on my shoulder, her body relaxed.

[So did I.] she said softly, and sighed. My heart brushed its wings in content.

"Well!" I was snapped out of my trance to see Mandite standing there awkwardly with a funny look on his face. In turn, I looked away uncomfortably, and my face became hot. I glanced at Aurora uneasily, and she just laughed weakly, only making my face become more fevered. It is a good thing that she needed the warmth. Mandite quickly glanced around at the darkening sky.

"Let's go set up camp, shall we?"

~*~

We had staked our temporary claim by the bank of the now smooth-flowing, obsidian river, surrounded by stalks of grass blades and a single, white and gnarled tree, its bark stripped off long ago, leaving its ebony skin bare. Aurora sat inside a protective nook, semi-circled by the system of knobbly roots, aged knees that matched with this ancient tree. I glanced back down on the campfire I was trying to start, using flint stones to attempt to light the dried grass. Mandite was currently searching for more proper firewood, so it was just me and Aurora in that little clearing. I looked back up at her, my attention caught by her sneeze. She was still damp, but at least not soaked to her skin. Ever since Mandite jump-started her heart back up, Aurora was regaining much of her old personality. Her eyes right now were sparkling, winking brightly, the brand of fire that replaced the campfire at the moment. I smiled, a little bit, still relieved and overjoyed that she was alive. She smiled back and sneezed again.

"We will have the fire started soon, don't worry." I reassured Aurora. Her laugh was first to answer, light and bouncy.

"I don't have to." she replied, leaning against the tree with her arms wrapped loosely around her body. She shivered, brushing her blue fur with her crossed paws, tail tucked around her feet. I smiled again, watching her for another moment – she was bedraggled, but kept her amazing, wild beauty somehow. I blinked and looked down at the pile of grass, and quickly sliced the stones against each other. A spark flew and landed on the yellow, dried vegetation and ignited a tiny flame. I bent down closer and blew on it lightly, and the flame spread, engulfing the whole stack. I stepped back to sit next to Aurora.

"I'm back!" a voice sang out, and I turned to see the blue puffball appear through a thicket of prairie carrying dead branches three times as long as he was, one stacked on top of another. The stack wobbled slightly, but remained on his head - another little surprise for me. Mandite tipped his body slightly and let the branches fall over onto the ground, and then tossed a few into the feeble fire. Smiling in self-satisfaction, he brushed himself off and then squinted at Aurora.

"You're still wet." he observed, and walked over to his bundle of possessions that was laying next to the fire. He unraveled his cape and flung it out, its creases unfurling into smooth material. Mandite let it settle back down, and skipped right over to the two of us, his cape flapping like a little flag. Odd, his cape looked much larger a few moments ago. Mandite stopped right in front of Aurora, who looked up.

"Stand please." he said, gesturing for her to rise up. I stood up and bent down to help her stand. Aurora lost much of her aura to her protective barrier back in the ravine, and needed to regenerate, so she cannot walk, let alone stand. I had to carry her over here, due to her inability to move. Aurora steadied herself against my body, her knees buckling frequently, each time she fell my arms caught her. On wobbly, slender black legs, and an arm resting against the tree, another held tight by mine, Aurora stood, seemingly strong in her weak state. Mandite held up his cape to the both of us.

"Now," he said, waving the cloth around, "I am going to make all the water disappear. Ready?" Aurora nodded, and Mandite started to swing his cape.

"On the count of three," he said, still swinging the cape, "One, two, THREE!" Mandite hurled the cape over Aurora, and as quickly as he covered her he swiped it off. Spinning the cloth around over his head, he bowed and flung it out.

"Tah dah!" he said. To my surprise, water droplets showered out from the fringes of the cape and onto the fire behind him, the flame died instantly with a long hiss.

"Mandite!" I cried out in exasperation. Mandite whipped around, and stared at the small wisps of smoke rising from the once existent fire.

"Oops." He said, grinning sheepishly. I sighed – that fire took effort to start.

"At least I'm dry." Aurora said, sitting back down again and looking mildly at her dry coat, "But the ground is really cold." I smiled and nodded my head, agreeing with her. Mandite glanced at me and then at the pitiful smoke.

"I'll restart the fire." He said, and reached for his sheathed sword, pushing in more wood with his feet. His hands reached it, and quickly flipped it into a comfortable hold. He drew it from its coverage, the blade materializing in an array of dazzling lights.

"You might want to step back a little, Lucario." He said, and I obeyed, retreating to Aurora's side. Mandite relaxed, holding his blade with both hands positioned close to the ground in front of him, eyes closed. Then, he quickly sucked in his breath and leaped high into the air, Galaxia encircled with whipping fire; swinging the sword in one smooth stroke, the flame flew off the metal in an arc, and smashed into the campfire with a small explosion. Quickly, I covered my eyes to protect them from being blinded. Mandite landed evenly on the ground, and sheathed his deadly blade once more.

"Well," he sighed, "that was easy." He plopped down next to his pile of armor and settled his weapon next to it, patting it before cheerfully remarking,

"Wow, the ground is cold!" He looked at us, one half of his face lit by the fire, one covered by darkness – one eye glowing a monotone amber, the other pale-green with a pupil. It's moments like these that remind me how strange of a creature Mandite was.

"Aurora shouldn't be sitting on the ground if her body temperature is low." He continued, his nerving hybrid gaze deterring my concentration. I blinked.

"Where else could she sit, in the tree?" I pointed out, and Mandite hummed.

"Good point," he thought, "what would you do?" It was my turn to think, and think I did. If the ground was too cold, where else could she sit?

"Here." I said, turning to Aurora. She looked up at me, confused, but I paid no mind. Instead, I bent down and wrapped my arms underneath her body. Without thinking, I sat down and cradled her in my lap. Aurora blinked in surprise.

[You don't have to do that.] she said privately to me.

[I do not want you to get cold again.] I replied softly, smiling at her reassuringly. She smiled back, leaning her head against my chest.

"Arrgh! I am tired!" Mandite yawned, stretching so far that he fell over onto his back. Aurora chuckled from the funny sight, and Mandite bolted himself upright.

"We had a long day today, don't 'ya think?" he yawned again. I looked at the blue puffball, and then at his possessions, thinking about their distinct traits. I had several questions to ask him that I would like answered. Perhaps now was a good time – just a few stories before saying good night.

"Mandite?" I called out to him.

"Hmm?" He replied, wiggling his purple feet, and flapping his wings.

"How does your cape," I tried to find the right word to describe what had happened with the water incident, "transport water?" Mandite laughed.

"Seriously, I don't exactly know how," he grinned, "but I know what happens." I nodded to let him know he can continue on with his explanation. I felt Aurora's body shift eagerly, and I couldn't help but smile in amusement; her mind was always curious.

"This cape is a special cape, obviously." he started, holding it out for us to see, "It is made of a special fabric that allows it to morph into suitable sizes. I don't know how Uncle Tally got it, but he did. He said that when I grow bigger, I wouldn't need a new cape 'cuz this one will adjust to my size. I could wear it, or use it to cover my entire body – like this." Mandite demonstrated, his voice muffled by the cloth. He briskly took it off and continued.

"But that's not the coolest part; the coolest part of this cape is that it can briefly allow the user to slip through dimensions on will – that is why it is called a Dimensional Cape. It takes a lot of mind power, but I got the hang of it." Mandite said, giving us a quick grin, "The cape will take the user into another dimension, but will reappear back. As shown earlier, I forced the cape to take the water from Aurora's fur, slip it through another dimension, and back into this one! Except I messed up with the landing – the landing is always difficult." His voice drifted off and he wiggled his feet some more. I was confused – a cape that allowed you to slip through dimensions for a brief instant? It seemed impossible, for the only two things I knew that had slipped between worlds was Giratina and Mandite himself. The whole matter of an entirely different world stung my mind again, and grudgingly, I forced it aside. I replaced my thoughts of dimensions with the memory of Mandite punching Aurora in the stomach, and starting her heart up again. How did he know how to do that? How does he know such a generous amount of knowledge about medics?

"Who taught you to be a doctor?" Aurora had gotten to the question first. Mandite blinked and looked at his feet thoughtfully, the shaded region of his face lit by the bright green glow of his luminescent eye.

"Well," he sighed, "I am not a doctor, but a soldier has to learn these things, just in case something bad happens. A knight faces many challenges, and may struggle through situations that require medical knowledge – so what good is a knight that has no one around to heal him? That's why Uncle Tally taught me all that stuff. He's a knight, you know." I began to wonder about this "Uncle Tally", but by judging the way Mandite looked a little pained, I guess asking about his uncle would be an inconsiderate move. Instead, I asked,

"Are you a knight, too?" Mandite laughed and scratched the back of his head.

"Not officially," he said, "but Uncle Tally said I was as good as one." Silently, I agreed with this uncle, wherever he may be. Mandite was a strong, and good-willed character, and would make an excellent and unique warrior. Again, I resisted the impulse to ask about Uncle Tally. Mandite yawned another time, his mouth opening wide. His eyes were drooped from exhaustion.

"Night, y'all." We wished him a good night in return, and Mandite pulled his cape over his head in a final flourish before breathing evenly in peaceful sleep. Aurora stirred in my arms, and I looked down at her.

[I want to know who's this "Uncle Tally".] Aurora spoke, her voice echoing in my mind. I nodded in agreement.

[So do I, but he seems a little uncomfortable about it.] I replied, and Aurora sighed, closing her eyes and leaned back against my body.

[But still, it bothers me.] I only chuckled in response, and patted her shoulder in comfort. It struck me as odd that I was now being openly comforting, when just earlier today I would have found it awkward. Aurora seemed to notice this change.

[Why are you being nice to me?] I blinked in surprise.

[Was I always mean to you?] Aurora looked taken aback and hastily replied.

[I mean today you are... More...] Aurora's voice trailed off, not knowing how to describe my change. I do not blame her, for I do not know this reason myself. We sat there in silence, for a while, staring at each other. Aurora cleared her throat and spoke.

[Thanks for saving my life.] she said softly, and I shook my head.

[You wanted to know what a master would do if his apprentice died.] I replied, gently, reaching out to hold one of her paws. Aurora snorted and smiled.

[Yeah, I did – except I didn't die.]

[Thank goodness you didn't, too.] I said, and gazed back down at Aurora's serene face. Some powerful emotion stirred my heart, arousing the old, fluttery feelings. My cheeks flushed with warmth, and I looked away uncomfortably, embarrassed.

[No, thank you.] Aurora reached up and gently pressed her muzzle under my chin. I blinked, at first not registering any feeling, but then my heart went soaring high, and I felt as though as I was airborne. But I'm here, perfectly sitting on the ground with Aurora smiling up at me, the fire in her eyes dancing in harmonious, wild grace. That moment seemed to last for hours, maybe even days, with just the two of us gazing deeply into each others eyes. Finally Aurora spoke.

[Can I sleep now?] Earlier, I was afraid of Aurora drifting off to sleep, but now I suppose that she was warm enough. She waited patiently for a response.

[Sure,] I confirmed, and she happily sank down into my lap, gently nuzzling my stomach with her nose. Strangely, I did not reject to this – instead, I enjoyed it. I tenderly brushed the side of her cheek.

[Good night, Aurora.] I whispered to her through my mind.

[Sleep well, Lucario.] she replied, and closed her eyes in content, her breathing becoming slow and even. I sat there, with my heart swelling with – I'm still not sure what it is. But staring at the campfire with Aurora in my arms brought back an old memory, one that had been carefully tucked away in the far recesses of my mind. It felt like a deja vu, almost like I have seen this scene before. I tugged on the memory, trying to bring it back. Unlike most other attempts, this one proved to be successful.

~*~

It was evening, and I could hear the rhythmic crashing of the surf on the sand. It was peaceful, and I was staring into the fire, hypnotized by the flashing light. On the other side of the wall of flame were two lucarios, one male, one female – I recognized them as my parents. They sat together, leaning against each other, with my father rocking them slightly with the arm wrapped around my mother. The band of bright blue light that encircled his wrist was flashing, catching my attention. Earlier that day, I had raced a sharpeedo, and escaped its jaws of death successfully. It was difficult, but I had passed the test, something my brother had not. My parents were overjoyed with my triumph, and at that moment were so content – I have never seen them so comfortable as then. I hear my father murmur.

"I love you." and heard my mother respond with the same three words. I remember thinking, what could that mean?

"Mama?" I asked.

"What is it, Riolu?" she said patiently.

"What's 'love'?" My parents chuckle.

"It's what bonds families together." my father said.

"It's what bonds us together." my mother said. But I still had my head cocked to one side, not understanding. My father laughs.

"It's hard to explain, son," he tells me, "Maybe one day you will understand, but right now you are too young."

"As for now," my mother continued, "love is the affection for something or someone, like how you like to eat finneons." I bobbed my head up and down, thinking about them. I felt my memory grow hazy, as my attention faded back into the current time.

~*~

I reopened my eyes, blinking, and started realizing a multitude of questions. Was all of the times that I had felt stirrings and beatings of my heart love? Was love that joyous feeling? Is it that what it was? Maybe it was, but I still was unsure of myself. I glanced back down at Aurora, her body curled against mine, and sighed. It is true I feel differently about her than how I feel about Mandite. Mandite is a good friend, and so is Aurora. So why do I feel so different, so pleasurably odd when I am around Aurora? It seems as though I can't keep my eyes off of her. It is true that I feel differently about her than I had several years before, but why? I decided to try something. I bent down and pressed my muzzle gently into Aurora's cheek, and so softly I murmured,

"I love you."

And I like the sound of that.

This is the first time I wrote like this, the very first. I can't help but feel proud of Lucario. Just to let readers know that I never had a relationship before, so my writing may come as inexperienced. If you have an issue with this, please let me know.

Thanks.

P.S. I wrote the ending of this chapter while listening to "You and Me" by Lifehouse. It's a surprisingly good match to this story, and I suggest you reading this chapter while playing that song in the background. It's such a beautiful song!