A year later. Seward Port. Gibson on the deck scrubbing the boat together with another teammate Norman Barry hired before him. Been a year since he left New York and worked with him in port. Seward, Alaska.
He forgot who he was before, an English teacher suddenly turned into a prisoner, then a prisoner became a gardener and the last but not least becoming a fisherman as he is now.
He'll be missing both of his kids and Belle. He just knows that she is probably already married to Jake Harley and they have a great life together better than him.
Once he regretted being divorced but now.. he has better things to do. More friends. Just enjoy your life while you can.
He poured the boat with clean water, after finishing scrubbing the boat, he dragged the box out from the boat toward the cannery factory owned by Barry's himself.
Flashback to the time he got to Alaska a year ago. A temporarily, Gibson had stayed with Norman Barry until he had found a house for rent near the beach.
He met the owner and the house belongs to him for now. He still drives a Chevy 1970s for his ride. Thanks to Norman Barry that Gibson owns him so much.
Norman Barry sees him drag the box inside the cannery with others behind him. He shouted.
"This way, Gibson! John and Nick right on the spot!"
They drag the box up on the moving machine then back away, letting the machine do its work.
Norman Barry shows up between them. "Gentleman! How's your day?" He smiles, everyone looks up at him with a strange face. "I'm trying to be nice".
"You are not!" Said one of the young girls who controls the machine. "You're telling my mom who I had a crush on, seriously you have a too nosy nose!"
Gibson's eyes met the young girl, she looked into his eyes then blushed. Resuming her work. Norman Barry laughed as he wrapped his arm around Gibson's shoulder.
"Bea Rossum had a crush on you, Victor". Gibson snorts, "I didn't lie. She is. I told her mother about that and she went crazy after she found out what I did".
The young girl shut the machine off. She then turned to Norman Barry in anger.
"I'm gonna suck you with this machine!"
Norman Barry spoke, "Bea? You are too young for Victor and he is not interested in the way you are trying to approach. Why not find someone else your own age".
"I don't want to. Most of the boys my own age I've meet are sucks! They are not mature and stupid!"
"So older, Victor, are you fit to be your boyfriend?" Gibson eyed him then went back to Bea. "I'm older too, why didn't you choose me to be your boyfriend? I'm still single and available. I can cook for you. Try me".
Gibson and Norman Barry snickering. Bea Rossum had enough. "Oh come on, Bea this is a joke. I'm not dating a teenage girl unless her parents approve of the relationship".
"Are you crazy or what? I just want.. (her eyes to Gibson) you know".
"I know him, Bea but he still loves his ex-wife and he misses both of his kids".
Bea eyes wide open, "You married before?" She asks, Gibson nods. "When?"
"Long time ago. And I will not walk back to my past and my mistakes. You are too young to know about marriage, Bea just enjoy your life while you can. There are plenty of things to do out there, grab the chance".
She snorts, crossing her arm on chest. "What if I don't?" Gibson shook head and sigh.
"I made a mistake when I was young, Bea I don't want to take that risk again or make another mistake to prove myself that I am capable in whatsoever you ever think about me. This is so wrong".
Norman Barry nodded and Gibson spoke again. "Working harder, Bea you still young make your parents proud of you".
"And beside?" Said Norman Barry, "Pickles had a crush on you".
She turns toward the boy like her own age, maybe older than her who is running the machine without him hearing or knowing what is going on between them.
"He told me. So I told you right now. He didn't dare to tell you that because you would hit him or kill him. Pickles is a nice boy. We all know his family. His dad runs the church, not a priest, just a man of God.
"You both go to school together, why not approach him like a nice girl".
Bea Rossum shook no, gritting her teeth. "I don't liking, Pickles!"
"Just try". Said Gibson. "When I first met my ex-wife she didn't like me either. Day by day she starts to love me and I'm the reason who breaks her heart".
Gibson eyes Pickles, smiles. "He's cute. He works with the church, but he didn't swear to be a virgin. He's just the altar boy".
"Yes". Answer Norman Barry. "Now back to business alright?"
Bea Rossum resumes control of the machine without a word, Norman Barry and Gibson walk out from the cannery.
"Thanks for that". Gibson patted his arm. "I don't know what to say. I lose my word".
"Bea is always like that. Whenever she saw a charming man like yours she became crazy. That's why I told her mother about that and her mom is like 'my daughter is crazy!'
Norman Barry and Gibson snickering. "You go. I got work to do inside. I see you at the diner or home. I call you". Gibson nodded his head then walked to the port having his lunch.
"Here!" Gibson turns on his right where Norman Barry walks to him with beer and food he just brought from the diner. He sat beside Gibson. "Wow! What a view. Wonder why you like to be alone in port".
"Beautiful isn't it?" Ask Gibson.
"I didn't realize how beautiful Alaska was. All I know is work. I didn't realize anything besides my late wife. Everyday I will miss her".
Norman Barry sighs and drinks the beer. "Don't you miss your family, Victor?"
"I am. It's been a year since, especially my daughter, Mia. She is incredibly crazy like her mother and my son he... not much to say. I wish I could have held them in my arms when they were just a baby".
Norman Barry nodded sadly. "Don't be mad if I say this to you. I have been researching about you since we met. And I found something interesting. I swear the internet just popped out and helped me find what I was looking for.
"Your wife, Belle, who was abducted by you when she was sixteen and forced to have a child. For me it wasn't a raped because your marriage are legal and you have a right as her husband. You two love one another and have a child together".
Gibson didn't say a word, Norman Barry spoke back. "Another article that makes me shocked to find out. You are a murderer".
"How did you find all this?"
Norman Barry giggles, "Welcome to the new world. I don't know why I find it so interesting to know about your past. I am not afraid if you kill me".
"I will now kill you. Wh-why would I do that? I kill because they are trying to keep me apart from my wife, who is still sixteen and I'm kinda obsessed with her if someone tries to steal her from me".
Norman Barry, smiling, said. "Thank you for your honesty. I know if I ask you 'how was your doing' it will be so rude or comfortable to hear about the past we did. I have my ways".
Gibson chuckled. Norman Barry spoke back, "I don't blame you, Victor you're a good man I trusted you". He patted his back.
"I will never forget what I did that night when I killed my wife's best friend. Another two more bodies were found".
"How did you bury her and how do they know?"
Gibson shrugs, "I don't know. Maybe the water from the underground was there and the ground couldn't be carried away and washed out. Reveal the body. My first kill was perfectly beautiful though they won't find the evidence".
"And you raped her".
"That is my mistake. Though I cleaned her. The police probably found my semen inside her, who knows. I didn't touch her after she died".
Norman Barry nodded, "The more I heard about it, the more I was thinking how capable you have done this".
"Lots of blood was spilled on this hand". Gibson showed his hand and cried. "My son hates me for who I am".
"The boy was shocked to see you alive". Comfort Norman Barry to him. "After all these years you've been away for vacation, staying in prison wasn't so bad".
Gibson chuckled, "Yeah try me". Norman Barry blinks.
"Maybe that wasn't bad, just a bad idea. Dumb ways to prison. Your son wasn't born at that time. He doesn't know what you've been through alone. The same goes to your wife".
Smiling, "Like the old man, Morris said 'what past is past' we cannot turn it back the way it used to".
"You met him?"
"Just now he gave the two of us a beer, see". Gibson nods and smiles, "Whatever you do about the past you are now a free man. Haven't you contacted them since?"
He shook no. "I understand that. Look, today is your last day of work that you applied for a week's vacation, where will you go?"
"Colorado, the place where it started. A place where I met my wife as an English teacher".
Norman Barry patted Gibson laps in a smile. The man had more beer and with the most enjoyable beautiful view at the port.
Colorado. Day. As the plane touches the ground he knows exactly where he should go first. Visiting Emma Evigan's grave.
He took an uber and went to the cemetery, knowing where she had been buried. He knew where the exact spot was for the last several years.
Hour later. The uber stops right in front of the cemetery gates. Gibson took a deep breath and sigh, the Uber driver noticed then turn to look behind where Gibson had sat.
The uber driver said, "You all right, sir?"
"It's been a long time since I've been here".
"Your family?" Gibson didn't answer. "It's okay to feel sad. Someday we will follow them here too just we didn't know when. Half of my entire family are here too".
Gibson nodded, "Could you wait for me here. It will not be long, just quick talk".
"Take your time, sir I'll be here waiting until you are ready to go".
The Uber driver smiled. Gibson breathed again then out of the car. Gibson entered the cemetery with a pounding heavy heart.
The last time he visited Emma's grave was the day of her funeral. He watches the funeral from afar not wanting to be suspicious even though he was her English teacher.
He watches the funeral and there is Belle in her sixteen, crying over her best friend's death. He didn't regret it after he had killed Emma.
And now, Gibson stood in front of her tombstone and dropped the flower on top of her grave with regret. Wishing she could be alive. He cried.
"Hi". He said. "It's me, Victor Gibson, your ex-English teacher. I don't know if you can hear me out here but if you did... I wanted to say sorry.
"I know it's hard to forgive. I'm sorry that I had to kill you that night. You died because of my obsession and I thought you were the reason but I was wrong you weren't".
He wiped the tears, "I was afraid to lose her. I was afraid you would take her away from me. No doubt, no hesitation I made my own crazy decision to kill you with the hope that she would come back to me.
"I'm sorry. I'm very very sorry. Killing you was the worst thing ever to happen. I got my punishment. If I had a chance just one day I hope I will change everything and I will never meet you both and I won't hurt people around me just..."
His knee weak, slowly he drops on his knee on the ground. Crying so hard on top of her grave and begging for forgiveness. Regret what he had done when he was young.
"I hope we will see each other again. Goodbye dear, Miss Emma Evigan".
The Uber driver jolted when someone opened the door at the back, he turned to see Gibson return to the seat. He smiled.
"Are you ready to go?" Gibson nods and smiles. "Good. It's good to have you back, thought you gonna kill yourself".
"I am not. Is there a motel I could stay at?"
The Uber driver nodded yes, "I can take you there. I know the owner". The driver started the engine and drove back to the town.
"Hello, Mr. Gibson". Emma smiled up at him. She approached. "Scared?"
"No. Am I dead?" He asked.
Emma shook no, she said. "You were in your motel room. You fall asleep after crying over my grave. I came to see you. I hear you, Mr. Gibson''.
"You were there?"
"Of course that is my grave. I know who will be there and who will come to visit me. Only the human eyes couldn't see the dead people. But we the dead could see the living human".
Snort, "That sounds creepy!"
"What do you expect from a red carpet with a bunch of flowers?" Gibson sealed his mouth. She spoke back. "Relax. I am not here to take your soul or kill you. I just want to say 'hello' and welcome to my home".
He looked around. "It's just white room. There is nothing else to see". Emma rolled her eyes.
"What? You want me to serve you with Champagne? Beer? Wine? TV! This is my home after my death. Remember, you killed me and my soul was sent here. Alone".
"Is this... Heaven?" He looked around the room again and nothing he could see. "If this is Heaven I don't belong here, you supposed take me to Hell. We should meet there".
"This is not heaven, asshole!"
Gibson gasps, "You can curse someone in Heaven? Wow. Amazing". His finger brushed to her, he jolted. "It feels weird and real. I can even touch you".
"Of course. Don't say 'Casper' because I'm not a friendly ghost and I am not a ghost. I'm a spirit, a soul".
"Ashamed for not being an Angel".
Emma groans, grit her teeth. "Yer mocking me eh. You stab my tits!"
"I'm sorry". He said as he looked at her. "I didn't mean to, that night was stupid".
Emma claps her hand mocking him. "You just realized after all these years. Impressive. English teacher huh? What an idiot!"
"Is it true what Belle had said that you really saw us together. I mean our deep relationship and you were there".
"Don't say that word. I know what you mean. Yes. When Belle misses me I will be there for her. She raised your child very well".
There was a bench that he didn't see as she pointed. She asked him to sit there and she took a seat beside him.
"It's been a long time since we saw each other".
"You look the same as you are".
"And you look f*cking older!" Gibson chuckled, she spoke back. "But sexy and handsome just the way you are. Never doubted why women are chasing you".
Gibson clearing throat, he stares into her eyes. "Do you see her?"
"Who? That Bilson woman?" Gibson nodded his head. "Yeah I see her. In hell". He blink, "For what she did, yes, she belongs there and you cheat your own death".
"Will I die at any moment?"
Emma shook no, she sighs. "I'm happy where I belong, Mr. Gibson, you regret what you did and I was so unhappy that you and Belle divorced because of something that you couldn't explain yourself. Why is that?"
"She doesn't belong to me anymore. Besides, she got her boyfriend back. Why should I need to..."
Emma smiled, her hand laid on his shoulder. Cold. Her hand is cold like ice. Gently he turned to her.
"You have an amazing family down there, Mr. Gibson and you wasted your life because you want to see her happy. She is happy when you come back, just she needs a moment to process what the hell is going on and you didn't give her a chance to speak but divorcing.
"She's the fighter from all of us. Do you think she was happy when you let her go?"
Gibson's breath didn't think about Belle's happiness. All he thought was.. to see her happy and his kids.
"Come home, Mr. Gibson, she needs you. Arman and Mia need you there with them. If you truly love her.. end her suffering and come back to her".
"How could that be? A year they didn't know where I had been".
His lips stuttering, Emma takes his hand and smiles. "I forgive you, Mr. Gibson. I'm hoping that I will see you, Belle and your kids up here with me. Hand to hand we're going to Heaven together as a family".
"No. Please don't leave me, Emma don't... please". As he looked at her slowly faded away from his sight. "Please..!"
Gibson jolted from his bed and was sweating. His throat dry, quickly he jumps off the bed looking for a glass of water in the middle of the night and he drains in with a heavier breath.
He gasped for air and studied the room. He's back from reality after he had been dreaming that he met Emma.
She forgives him. Wonder why she got that guts. He did so many sins and still she forgives him. He leaned on the wall and cried again, he will not come back to Belle like she asked him to.
She is married to Jake. There will be no way he wants to steal her again from Jake. Enough. He had enough to become an evil man, enough of the punishment he gets from the prison.
Enough for everything. He got a better life as a fisherman in Alaska. He got Norman Barry with him, old man, Morris and new friends. So did Belle with Jake.
And what he had to do is, he must forget about Belle and pray for her and his kids happiness that all he can do.
She couldn't be with him anymore. He's just the bad luck who likes to destroy someone's life. He makes sure no one else will do that toward Belle and Jake neither couldn't him.