The sheriff and Enzo left the house and Grayson walked away. Reyna and I were the only ones left in the house. "I'm going to have to tell the sheriff about his daughter," Rey emptily says, mind everywhere but here and now. 

 "I think I heard Enzo covering that before he left for a checkup," I assure. "He'll take the bulk of the blame for you."

"Doesn't he always," Reyna grumbles.

"Reyna, look around. Five people died in one night, yet we're the ones left standing. We're resilient and strong in our own ways. I heard you own Maren. That's something!"

 But rather than my words build her up, they seem to tear her down even more. "She was my best friend. I knew her since kindergarten, Kellin. We were so, unbelievably close. It took one incident at a party to make her realize she was even more peculiar than she thought. And I had to kill that girl I befriended at age five. It's not a good day."

"You're right," I agree. "But it could've been a lot worse. We could be dead."

"I don't see how that's worse," Reyna confesses.

Slinging my arm around her shoulders, I bend down and pick up her crowbar. "You killed someone with this. And with the same object, I saved a life. This night is a lot like this crowbar; it could've killed you, but it saved a life."

"No, it spared a few."

"It saved you from yourself," I correct. "You could've never killed Maren, and Grayson and I could've died. You might've never thrown a knife into Ezio's throat – which was badass, by the way. Reyna, you saved the part inside of you that was dying: the part that finds a will and strength when God knows there shouldn't be any. Be proud of what you've done, because it isn't like you can take any of it back."

Finally, I've reached Reyna. She smiles for the first time in a long time. Nodding, her eyes tear up, but she doesn't cry. "Thank you, Kellin. Now let's get out of here." She picks up a knife and stuffs it in her back waistband. I give her a confused look. "If there is another surprise, I want to be prepared."

"Good idea, Copulas." 

We step over solo cups and glow stick necklaces and guns and knives. Reyna drags her crowbar along. Opening the door, I realize I hesitate. "What is it?" Rey asks.

"This is it. We're literally opening the door to a new beginning. All of this bloodshed...it's over: forever."

"Then what're you waiting for?" she questions. "Open that sucker up."

Firmly, I nod and shove the door open. Flashing lights of police, ambulances, and reporter cameras blind the two of us. I hold my hands over my eyes until I adjust from"dark death theatre" to "paparazzi flash." 

"Kellin, who was the killer?" 

"Reyna, what happened in there?"

"What happened to playboy Adriano?"

I ignore their questions with suave and sass until I see my father and mother in the midst of the chaos. Both of their faces are tear-stained and once they see me...once I see them...euphoria fills me up. Running, I sob. I didn't know if I'd ever see them again. I jump into their arms as cameras catch the moment. We embrace each other in a tearful group hug.

Nothing else in the world is important anymore besides this. Nothing is more important than family. I've always known that – it's common knowledge. But I finally understand how I've taken my life for granted. My parents are great people who love me with all of their hearts. They're happily married and alive, and now I see how much of a blessing that is in my life. 

"I love you guys so much," I croak, emotion controlling everything about me right now.

"I love you so much. I was dead, I was dead until I chose not to be and I was so scared."

"Kellin," my father calls. "Philosophize later, let me enjoy you not being dead now."

"You're so strong, Kellin," Mother tells me. "You made it when others didn't, and I am so proud of you."

"Thank you for being there for me – for always being there for me. Thank you..."