THE LAST CHAPTER!

CRAZY! It's short, but it's just kinda wrapping the story up.

I know you were all concerned that the previous chapter was the last one, but I just got flooded with packing and swim and school. I'm currently in my new bedroom.

As I said earlier, I think I'm gonna take a break from big projects. Maybe update another of my stories a couple times a week. I don't know. I kinda wanna work on my non-fanfiction stories. But I am NOT disappearing. I will take sequel suggestions!

Anyhoo, you guys have been THE BEST readers EVER! Really invigorated my author dream and have helped hone some of my skills. I can only get better, right? This is great practice and you guys are just so great. I just want you all to know how much I appreciate every single reader and reviewer. LOVE TO YOU ALL! TWELVE VIRTUAL HUGS TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO READ THIS! FOURTEEN TO ALL REVIEWERS!

Disclaimer: …

Read on forever, my fellow readers:

I was sitting at a beach. Montauk. It was peaceful and calm. I smiled and lied down.

Relaxation had found me in unconsciousness, no longer infected by the Memory Monster. I was free to dream of a peaceful day at the beach my father took me to.

"Your father loved this beach too."

I sat up, my eyes springing open. A man in a Hawaiian shirt and Bermuda shorts sat next to me.

It seemed impossible, but I had heard my father's stories. "Poseidon?"

The god smiled. "Hello, Silena. It's good to finally meet you."

"Why are you here?"

"To tell you you've earned this." He said, looking around. "You've earned you're peace." He turned back to me. "I understand you're going to Alaska?" I nodded. I was currently sleeping on a ship to Alaska right now. "Well," he said, "with the life you'd had thrusted upon you, I can't blame you. Although, a shame that our first conversation may have to be our last."

My throat was caught. I couldn't say anything.

Poseidon looked to the water. "Your heroics have earned you an end to the running. Neither Zeus nor Hades are one to admit fault, but they will at least cease to seek you. With a little convicting, Zeus has agreed to grant you safety at camp."

"I don't want to go there." I said numbly. "There's nothing for me there."

He nodded. "I understand. Perhaps Hades's penance will be more to your liking."

"What are you talking about?"

That's when I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years, but I would never forget. "Silena."

I turned around to see my mom, with her eyes filled with tears, and my father, looking like he was trying not to cry.

"Mom? Dad?" I stood, looking at them cautiously. I turned around to see Poseidon was gone. I turned back to my parents and took a careful step forward. "Is it really you?"

My mom nodded, too choked up to speak. My dad smiled. "Yeah, it's really us, Dolphin."

That did it. Tears leaking from my eyes, I ran to my parents, throwing my arms around them. We sank to the ground together, all of us crying uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry." I said through sobs. "I'm so sorry."

My mom pulled apart and held my hand in her face. "What in the world are you sorry for?"

"All that I did…Those people…"

"Tragic accidents," my dad said. "I understand why you would tear yourself up. What you did was a tragic, tragic accident, but you've made up for it."

"I killed them." I squeaked.

Mom nodded. "We know. We know, sweetheart."

"How are you not ashamed?" I shouted. "I did awful things!"

"Out of grief." She said. "Honestly, I'm not sure I would have done any better."

"Neither would have I." My dad said.

Smiling through tears my mom stroked my hair lovingly. "You showed remarkable strength. We are so proud of you."

My dad grabbed my hand. "We don't have long, Silena. We love you, so much."

My mom grabbed my other hand. "You've been assured Elysium. We'll see you again."

My dad squeezed my hand with a small smile. "But not too soon, okay?"

I nodded and threw my arms around them again. "I miss you."

They hugged me back.

"We miss you, too." My dad said.

"We love you." My mom said.

And then everything went black.

I shot up in my bed, tears streaking down my face. I touched my neck, where their bead necklaces resided.

"I love you, too." I whispered to the empty room.

I went outside to find Zack. The sun was just beginning to rise. I found him looking out across the water.

"Hey," I greeted.

He smiled, then saw my eyes that were probably still red. "You okay?"

I considered. Then I smiled. "Yeah. I think I am." I grabbed his hand. "Or at least, I'm going to be."

He pulled me into him. My back pressed against his chest while we looked out at the horizon. Somewhere out there was the land beyond the gods.

My salvation.

I eagerly anticipated its arrival, but I was not going to rush this moment, here, looking to the ocean with Zack.

Although Zack was unaware, the last of my barriers had just been stripped away. It was painful, excruciatingly so, but also beautiful.

It was beautifully painful, in a twisted way.

Everything was brighter, but the brightness could hurt your eyes. Everything was louder, but the noise could hurt your ears. Everything was larger, but it could make you feel belittled, but I was fine with that.

Everything was just more. More painful. More beautiful. More caring. More hurtful. Just…more.

And I loved it.

I closed my eyes.

Seven years I had blocked out painful things.

Now I was embracing them.