At least, that's what would have happened if Simon's shoe hadn't slipped off while the monster was still holding on. The monster fell into the river, still holding on to the shoe, and disappeared out of sight. Simon had caught the crown at just the right moment, but was holding on to the edge of the bridge with only one hand. Carefully, he tossed the crown over to Marceline and hoisted himself up. Relieved that Simon was safe, Marceline gave him a hug between sobs.

"I thought I'd lost you, Mr. Simon" She hugged him even harder.

"I'm not leaving your side. Even if I'm in danger, I will fight in order to get you to a safe place."

"I don't know how I managed without you around."

"It doesn't matter now, Marcy. I'm here and that's all that matters"

The thought of being left on her own to cross the bridge started to become unbearable; the feeling of relief was quickly washing over her. It felt like a wave of cooling water, making her feel refreshed and revived. Finally they could continue their walk across the bridge; or at least, that's what they hoped. Clutching Simon's hand tightly, they continued the rest of the way across the bridge, avoiding cars if they could help it, and reached the other side to find it closed off with an enormous heavy wall made of steel. It wasn't a particularly strong wall against whatever had managed to gauge a huge hole from the top. This was worrying for Simon and Marceline; what could have caused such damage? Surely it wasn't of human nature? Bravely, they approached the wall to investigate some way of getting through this gaping hole. The only objects they had as aid were the cars; which were much too heavy, and some metal posts that had originally been used to hold up the previously sturdy bridge.

"We could use the posts to climb up toward the gap in the wall," Simon suggested, shrugging, "But I fear that we are not strong enough to lift one up to put it against the wall." Simon looked over to the side of the bridge, where there was a gap surrounded by high bushes. If they could build their own bridge to cross over to the gap, they could save themselves from having to climb. But how on earth were they to do that? Neither of them could lift something large and sturdy enough to reach the edge. Simon thought hard. He looked at Marceline, who had sat on the floor with some rocks, pretending they were flying like birds. Flying! Simon had a sudden idea.

"What if I was to put on the crown, and fly us over to those bushes over there? It's risky, but it's the best I can think of."

"What if you don't make it over there, though? What if you end up losing control?"

"We don't really have much of a choice since neither of us would be strong enough to move the posts"

"I guess so, but it is a bit risk to take, Mr. Simon"

"Like I said before, it is the best I can think of. I will try to make the flight a quick one."

It did seem risky, but it was only a short distance, or at least that's how it appeared. What didn't make sense to Simon was why there was a gap large enough for them to get to between the steel walls. Then he looked more closely. Something had cut it away. Of course it made no sense to cut a gap in the wall that immediately drops down into the river, but what if somehow it did? He looked down toward the river below. Now he looked closer, he could see the river was murky and shadowy, as if something had lived below its surface, awaiting a surprise attack on the survivors. There were markings on the cliff edge, as if something had climbed with sharp tools. The bushes would have made a good hiding place to await an attack. Could this be a good idea crossing the bridge after all? Simon wasn't so sure. What if the invader was still there; lurking, awaiting its next victims? We need to get to the city. It's the only way we will survive.

"Ok, Marcy I'm going to put the crown on and take you over to that gap in between the two walls. We will make for those bushes. I will keep the crown on until it is safe to continue our journey."

"But if you keep the crown on, Mr. Simon, you'll be all scary again. I don't want you like that"

"It's the best way across the bridge and to safety, little Marcy. I promise as soon as we know it is safe, I will take off the crown. I can control it now, it's not like before."

"You promise?"

"Of course I do"

Reluctantly, she nodded and allowed Simon to go through with his plan. Carefully he unhooked the crown from his belt loop, and placed it upon his head, all the time focusing on fighting against it. He picked up Marceline and walked to the edge of the bridge, still fighting the urge to lose his mind. He took a few steps backward, and then made a running start toward the edge. Within moments he was airborne, still fighting against the crown as he focused on carrying Marceline to safety. Marcy shut her eyes tightly; she was afraid of being so high up in the air. She hoped that they would reach the other side soon. She hoped Simon would be back to his old self too. But there was a problem, and Marceline found herself falling. Simon had let go of her by accident; and as she screamed, Simon reached out for her in fear that he had failed her for the first time.