The day before...

The Dark Lady was now dressed in a form-fitting pink one-piece swimsuit as she was joined by Frederich, Francis, and Ferguson when she came out of the locker room. "I made a promise to finally join them after reporting you two of what's been said by Felicia and Jeremiah," she intoned while patting her head. "I only pray that I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life. If anything, I feel like this is all going to bite me if I don't go through with this."

"We should have known that you were sent by the others to make sure that Adamson, the Thades, and Colby were still planning to spirit Jay out of this town," Francis commented. "Still, you know that there will be no going back after today."

"I know. Still doesn't make things easier with my rattled nerves. I still have my own 'Final Solution' on hand if I'm found out."

"Well, you won't be found out until it's too late for either of those nobodies to stop us," Ferguson assured her.

"Indeed," Frederich agreed. "As for Ja'Marco? He has finalized his transformation into the perfect version of himself as our brother. And when his birthday arrives tomorrow, he will officially take the final step into ascending into his birthright."

The Dark Lady nodded as she slid on her swim cap and goggles. "Wish me luck," she replied as she headed to one of the lanes. She chose lane three because it was her lucky number. "No going back."

"No going back," Francis repeated as he and his brothers stood to the side of the pool. "Ready. Set. GO!"

And as the Dark Lady dove into the pool with the shock of the cold waters beginning to caress her aging skin that would turn back the clock, she knew that she meant what she said. Because at the end of it all, Ja'Marco Hedare was meant for more.

*****************

Meanwhile, at the Thade residence...

"Everything is all set," Eunice said as she and her husband reconvened with Jeremiah and Felicia in their now-empty living room. "Our things are on the way to our new home in California and Josiah has our plane tickets set for tomorrow."

"Good," Felicia replied, nodding as she looked up from her phone. "My new apartment is being set up by my friends back home and I'm supposed to be at my interview the day after we leave this place."

"Same for me," Jeremiah remarked. "All we need to do is collect my nephew and hope that he's not too far gone. I'm only worried that we don't have to consider putting him down like a dog. He's really a good boy, just got caught in this spiderweb created by his family."

"Shameless," Josiah harrumphed, shaking his head. "Well, Eunice and I will take him into our homes if need be, Jeremiah. Since La'Vanna is now a gay Triton himself, we're feeling the 'Empty Nest' vibes a little too soon. It'll be good to have someone in our home."

"Much obliged," Jeremiah replied gratefully just as the doorbell rang. "I'll get it."

Two minutes later, the older man returned with an envelope in his hand. "It's from Genevieve," he said. "The courier said that she had this written the night before. That's when Felicia and I went to make our case to Ja'Marco."

"I hope she's okay," Eunice said, her eyes full of worry. "Maybe she felt like she needed to leave because she feared she would be found out about our plans."

"One way to find out," Felicia intoned stiffly as she took the letter and opening it.

In case you all are reading this, then this means that I have failed.

I know that you are still serious about your plan to get Ja'Marco out of this town, and I was supposed to be on your side. Instead, I was sent by some of the Tritons from Texas to get intel on you. And when I heard of what you are planning, I had to make sure that not only you would be unable to fulfill the plans but also join the revolution myself.

"She can't do this!" Felicia said vehemently. "She can't be serious! That bitch!"

I can no longer stand by you. By siding with the Tritons, I may have gained an enemy out of you all but I also gained a legion of brothers who are part of Orion's expansive family of the seas. What was written in the stars cannot be denied or deferred. I'm sorry, but I have no regrets.

With all due respect,
Gene Poirot, formerly known as the Dark Lady.

The air was stiff with anger and ominous tension before Felicia let out a blood-curdling scream of anger and throwing a nearby glass at the wall.

"Fuck," Jeremiah hissed. "That means that those abominations know about everything now!"

"What are we going to do?!" Eunice asked frantically as her husband began to pace around the house. "This could be the end of everything we stand for!"

Felicia whirled around, a wild look in her eyes. "We go forward with the Final Solution as planned," she said with determination. "Better to put him down and save his soul than risk him being lost in this nightmare."

"The police will be watching our every move," Jeremiah pointed out. "But at this point, we don't have much of a choice. Either we end my nephew's life...or we risk losing our own lives."

"Then we're agreed," Josiah commented as he joined his wife. "In view of all circumstances, it's time for drastic action."

"Right," Felicia said, nodding slowly while composing herself. "We can't let them devour Ja'Marco. It's either his death or our lives."

The final hours of normalcy will be close at hand, gentle readers, and it would be Ja'Marco himself who will make the final decision himself that will shape everything and everyone completely. Shall we move on to the final chapter?

Okay, let's go!

It's all coming to the final chapter, folks! And trust me, Ja'Marco's decision will officially seal the deal and will change everything. And as it's been said at the beginning, sometimes you have to play the most dangerous game to live the life you want! You're going to be blown away on how it all ends!

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