2 weeks later.
Two weeks had passed. The cure? It was found, and they tried spreading it around. It wasn't effective, at first. But they found a way at last. Nicole was given a break after they practically used him for the cure. Since the whole thing was spread globally, The government had to spread awareness and the news that the cure had been found to other countries. The organization was forced to spill everything about Lorrell and Ty, and they gladly did. Within maybe a week they were found, and kept in prison— or well, what they claimed to be prison. And slowly, the liveliness that was once stripped away was surely given back.
The whole thing seemed.. like a long dream. Too surreal. Nicole had been mourning Ruby the entire time, still not yet filly over her. To be fair, who was? Axelle and Waylen had figured some unresolved problems out, and.. started dating. It was a surprise at first, especially to the group. but it wasn't unwelcome. Not at all. Their lives would never be the same— most of them lost loved ones, and that couldn't be cured. Zombies were slowly regaining humanity, but the dead stayed the dead. It was one thing that wouldn't change.
Dave and Darren lived with Perry, since she was a legal adult. Nicole had lost his parents (Ruby too), but his sister was alive and well. The first thing he did was give her a hug like never before. It was like warmth after living in the freezing cold. Rexine, Ivy and Maverick caught up. The triplets had a great time now that there weren't many obstacles around. Ivy dyed her hair back to its natural colour— a light blonde. Christian thought about it, but he didn't. He liked being a blonde. He'd originally gone blonde to match Ruby. But.. Now he wanted to keep it.
On the topic of him, he reunited with his Little brother; Liam. He was an actual blonde. They hung out, Christian making the most of it with his time around Liam. He missed him more than he'd ever care to admit aloud. Eli had a sister, younger. Only by two years. She was closer to Dave and Darren's age. She definitely was a brat, but Eli missed her a bunch. A little redhead just like him, same green eyes.
Nathan, that whole group had lost all their family except Alice's father. It was a tough time, but they had learnt to accept it even though it hurt.
After they all finally reunited with the family they had alive, it was time they called a gathering, a hang out.
It was a Saturday night, the group— all 16 of them threw a small gathering at Perry's house, cleaned and filled with life again. They stayed 'till late, the organization leaving earlier than the rest. When the organization did leave, the rest didn't let up. They played games, did challenges, and really, whatnot. And for once, Perry and Christian weren't fighting. They weren't making a fuss. They were existing in the same room without spouting insults and death threats. They had even worked together, playing teams in a card game. They worked well together no matter how reluctant they would be to ever admit it.
After most of them had left, Perry had the genius idea to drive back to the mall. The mall where everything had once started. It felt.. weird, must she say. The air was cold, half of the city back in its livelihood and glory, lights lit up everywhere around, even if it wasn't full yet. Just hearing the sound of vehicles back on the streets were comforting enough, convincing enough that this all was real. Perry, Christian and Nicole stood on the rooftop, the same one they watched one of the biggest disaster go down on. It was emotional, sure. But more than that, it was.. comforting. It felt like the longest fever dream ever.
"Never would've guessed.. we'd be standing here, right?" Perry muttered, her voice lower than ever before, voice carrying an emotional weight.
"..Yeah. Never." Christian agreed, letting the cool breeze blow through his blonde strands. He shoved his hands in his pockets, walking closer to the edge and sat down right behind it. Without a word, Perry and Nicole followed suit. For a brief moment, they sat in comforting, yet heavy silence. The kind that felt like words being shared without having to say anything.
"It's been.. so long, but not long enough." Nicole mumbled, letting silence hang in the air for a swift moment.
"We.. got through it." Perry replied.
"At a high cost," Nicole commented at last with a soft sigh. Even now, he teared up at the thought that Ruby was gone for real.
"... It's over." Perry said— a statement, one that she had been waiting to say for the longest time.
And finally, maybe they could enjoy an uninterrupted birthday at the mall.