PART 5

Someone She Knew WAS At the Execution

As Lucy was laying on the gurney in the execution chamber waiting for the chemicals to end her existence, someone she knew, unbeknownst to her, was in attendance, along with the families of the victims. This person wasn't here for her, at least not in support. This person wanted to be sure she was dead and no longer on this mortal plain. They were on the side of the victim, despite knowing Lucy personally. This was the one person she held in high regard, though they never held HER in the same light, for obvious reasons. They heard the warden read the death warrant.

"Lucy Van Pelt, for two counts of murder, you have been sentenced to death by lethal injection. Have you any final words?"

The person waited to hear what she had to say, knowing about her raving tangents about how she was a Wisdom Goddess here to save the world from Charlie. So, they were surprised when she gave her response.

"No."

This person would have videotaped the entire execution if cell phones were allowed in the chamber, but alas, they wouldn't get their wish. Just as well. At least they were seeing Lucy be put out of her misery and everyone else's. Soon, the guards laid the gurney back down and soon it was time for the execution to begin. The first drug used was midazolam to sedate her. Eventually, Lucy's eyes closed. Pavulon was the next drug used, which paralyzed the diaphragm and slowed her breathing. Then finally, potassium chloride stopped the heart and Lucy Van Pelt was no more. And after the time of death was declared, Schroeder Grastiger breathed a sigh of relief. HIS nightmare was finally over, as was Charlie's. When the curtain was drawn back, he rose from his seat and exited the chamber.

When he got his phone back, Schroeder immediately made a text to the one person he wanted to text after it was done.

"Hey, Charlie. She's dead. Both of our nightmares have finally come to an end. See you soon, man."

Schroeder then put his phone back in his pocket. Reporters who recognized the famous pianist went over to interview him about his involvement with the execution. He answered a few questions before heading back to his expensive sportscar and drove off for home.

…

I had talked to the town officials and the governor of this great state, as well as the Van Pelt and Brown families and we all agreed that there will be no memorial to Lucy Van Pelt, nor will there be any event to commemorate what has been seen as a stain on this town that was the so-called "Operation: Blockhead". Anything associated with any of that is to fade with time. And all monuments to that have already started being destroyed with Wallstone High finally being demolished after years of sitting abandoned. The Grey Manor has already been razed and is already on its way to being converted into a city park named after Charlie Brown. The Van Pelt's have assured me that Lucy Van Pelt was cremated and her ashes were "taken care of". There will be no monument, no grave marker, nothing celebrating this evil woman and her evil deeds. The Grey's only have a private mausoleum because it was paid for by Martin Grey prior to his sentencing and his daughter's death.

The city of Sparkyville continues to heal from our disturbing past and has started to rebuild the Birchwood community. While the Browns have sworn never to move back here, they have voiced their pleasure with the rebuild and hope that some healing can begin for all sides. Thank you.

Shermy Wilson
New Mayor of Sparkyville

…

Perry Wiggins walked around his old neighborhood. Once it was derelict due to the fallout from "Operation: Blockhead", now the abandoned homes were being demolished and the foundations were being redone. New apartment buildings and businesses were popping up in the neighborhood he once called home. Where the Van Pelt home once stood was now a Tim Horton's and some clothing stores and insurance offices. Schroeder's old home on James Street became a B&B with new owners running it. It was one of the few houses that remained untouched. Another house that remained untouched also stands as a shrine, frozen in time.

The Brown's old home stayed as it was the day of "Operation: Blockhead" when Lucy rallied her congregation to prevent Charlie from leaving. Snoopy's old doghouse was still standing, all the red paint all but gone from the frame. The lawn was kept up, but now the property was surrounded by barbed wire and security cameras. After Charlie and his family escaped, no one ever bought the house, and now it was kept guarded as sacred ground, never to be touched. A plaque on the fence featured a familiar quote which read:

"Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it."

The words weren't lost on Perry. That was something Lucy had never learned. He wasn't sure the mob from that day learned it, either, but they got the hint to leave Charlie alone, and, aside from threats of lawsuits over being mentioned in his book or pleas to remove their names from it, never messed with him again. Sure, Violet got some barbs in when he went to visit her in the hospital, and Lucy's recent attempt to murder Heather just to hurt Charlie were a couple of exceptions, but otherwise, Charlie has been left alone. But, seeing his neighborhood revitalized like that gave him hope. Hope that finally the past can be left behind and the Birchwood community of Sparkyville can finally work towards a better and peaceful future.

EPILOGUE IS NEXT!