It's been days now since Dad has been taken into custody and I have been travelling from home to station and station to home. I have been numb and not feeling any of the emotions lately. I am working but I have lost my soul and I need to find it. I wanted to get out of Northwood but I can't until I am done with my testimonials against my own father. I met him again last week just to ask him again if he actually did what he did. I knew the truth but I wanted to make it sure. It was too much for me to bear with the reality. The harsh reality. I already lost my mom some 12 years back and I did lose my father too now. I was having a hard time to cope up with reality. To come up to the fact that my father actually killed my mother. I just wasn't able to face the reality. Maybe I am just like that.

But I was glad that my mom, who was given to me by my father, the only thing he did right maybe, was with me throughout this. She stood by my side like a rock not letting me fall even for a moment. I cried my heart out hiding into her arms for the last few days. She has promised me that we will move to London and start afresh when we are out of the questioning rounds. Emily stayed with me holding onto me tight so did Edmund. Aiden made sure to check on me whenever our paths crossed at the station but he respected my decision and stayed away. My heart was aching and longing for him but I need to stay true to my decision. I need to think about my whole life all over again.

It took us a few weeks to get over with all the formalities regarding dad and I dropped out of the school. I needed a break to stand tall again and I honestly wouldn't have been able to walk with eyes following me throughout. Mom said I can repeat the semester once we are in London and I was fine with that.

I looked at the baggage resting in my room and walked towards the window. This might be the last time I will be standing here and looking at the woods. Those were happily roaring as the mountain behind smiled widely at me. They didn't scare me today but felt welcoming. They were giving me a silent hope that I will be fine from hereon. I smiled looking at them and looked down. The helpers were in a rush to close the place as they were winding up with their work. I moved back and closed the window shut as I turned around and moved my gaze through the room. My room where I spent twelve years of my life.

I have seen happy days while there were some really bad days. I have been scared to death but I smiled the widest. This room has seen it all. My nightmares and my beautiful dreams. They were all witnessed here. It feels sad to leave everything behind but I have to. I took a deep breath as a tear rolled down my eye. Nothing was happening the way I thought it to be. Dad, Aiden, Emily, Edmund, these woods, that mountain, my school, my people, and my town. Everything will go away from me from today. I don't know when and how I will meet them all again. A deep ache surpassed my chest and for a moment I felt like dropping my plan and running into these woods again by holding Aiden's hand in mine. I felt like going to our hideout and shutting myself from the whole cruel world with him on my side. I wanted to blabber to him about how much I hated Chelsea and Hannah from art class while he would look at me with adoration.

I wish I could go to the park down the road with Emily and move in the swing as we would compete whose swing was taking the bigger blow. I wanted to laugh my heart out with her yet again. I wanted to tease Edmund about how big his glasses were. I wanted to annoy him that Aiden will take my side no matter what. I wanted to fight with him over the same and just be little kid along with the three people I love the most.

I walked down and strolled into the garden looking inside the woods again and remembering all the memories I have kept inside my heart, closer to me. Sound and safe. I am sure I am going to revisit all of them when I will go to London and I will cry my heart out feeling the pain deep inside my heart. The pain of leaving everything and everyone behind. The pain that will stay with me longer than I could imagine. I know my heart is going to ache with all these flooded memories. I sniffed hard and wiped my moist eyes.

I took a few deep breaths calming myself down and walked forward as I have to meet Emily, Edmund and Aiden before I go to London. I have already informed mom about it and she said she will load the truck with all the things she needed by that time. I did meet Mr and Mrs Wright yesterday when we went over to say our goodbyes. Mom surprising me, asked them about making me her legal daughter so in future there won't be any problems with anything. I was glad to hear that. I was glad to know that someone is there with me and for me. I have decided to change my last name to my birth mother's last name. That was Greens. So it would be Faith Greens from now on.

I smiled looking at Aiden when I reached the bank of the river. Our regular hangout. I took a deep breath again and looked around. I wanted to remember this place just like this when I will remember me with my three best friends here. I smiled and looked back and jerked a little. I didn't notice that Aiden was standing beside me by now. He smiled at me. The gorgeous smile I missed all the time while we were on the adventure. He did get back being his old self which I was glad for. I smiled back at him putting the locks of my hair which were playing with my face behind the ear.

"So it is finally time," He asked without moving his gaze from me. I nodded gently.

"I guess," I said feeling a bit sad.

"Aiden, I guess I have never said it before but I wanted to today before I leave," I said with a bit reluctance. He kept on listening to me without saying anything.

"Thank you. For always being the one to stand by my side. Through my thick and thin. For always making me feel special and for always being my shield and saving me from all the odds," I said genuinely. I wasn't able to look at him as I knew I will break at any moment. The wind passed by brushing us.

"I don't think I would have survived without you being there," I said and finally managed to look at him as I put a small smile on. Aiden stared at me for a few moments.

"You are fine on your own, Faith and I truly hope you'll find your destiny," he said, "It doesn't have to end up at me but I just wish you to be happy forever." He finished with so many emotions flashing through those blue eyes. I just stared at them.

"I wish the same for you," I said in a low voice and smiled. He smiled back and looked away.

"Dylan?" I asked again not knowing what to ask. It was new with me and him. He would usually stop me from talking continuously and today I don't have words.

"He said that he will stay back for some time. I need to complete this year before I move with him to Oxford," Aiden said with a shrug. I nodded hearing him.

"I am sure you'll be the best lawyer out there," I said with a full smile. Aiden chuckled at me.

"I truly hope so. I was thinking of taking crime. I don't think I am made for domestic cases," He said making a face and waited for my answer. I giggled and nodded my head in agreement.

"I feel so too," I said making him smile. How much I am going to miss this.

"What about you?" He asked. I shrugged and took a deep sigh. I have no idea what am I going to do in future. I will use this extra one year I got for exploring and will try to find my interest.

"I have no clue as to what I might be doing in future. For now, I just want to complete my school and then get into some good university with whatever interest I get over this one year and make my career," I said truthfully. I knew he won't judge me so that was comforting.

"I am sure you'll be amazing with whatever you think of doing," he said genuinely smiling.

"You think?" I asked raising my eyebrows. He chuckled and nodded his head.

"I know that," he said making me smile. We looked away and around the place. There was still no trace of Emily or Edmund. The gap between us was filled with silence. I looked at him again as he was throwing pebbles in the river.

"Wow, I never knew we won't be having topics to talk about," I said. He looked at me.

"I know. Strange but to be very honest, you were always talking while I just listened," He said with a smile. I rolled my eyes.

"That's not my fault that you kept hiding so much from me," I said with a shrug and immediately regretted seeing the look on his face.

"I am sorry," he said feeling guilty all over again. I never wanted to do this but that just came out of nowhere.

"Don't be. It's okay," he said with a small smile. I sighed.

"I suppose I knew from the start as to how much we were different," I said further. Wow, it hurt like shit to even admit that.

"I just didn't want to admit it,"  I said shaking my head. Aiden sighed and looked ahead of us.

"I guess it was more like a habit. We have always been together after all," he said, "I guess you are right." I looked at him feeling a little hurt by hearing him. Now I know how much my words would have pained him.

"We need this break to find what we truly want rather than cursing each other our whole lives and regretting the decision," he said again and I stayed quiet. It was hard. Harder than I predicted. I feel like I losing my shit.

"I will miss you, Aiden. A lot," I said looking up at him on the verge of breaking.

"Me too," he said in a low voice but didn't make any efforts to come forward and comfort me. I felt hurt and sad but he was just following my words and respecting me. It was my doings.

"I am sorry as it took long with his big specs taking his sweet time," I heard the chirpy voice of Emily and contained my emotions. I wiped my eyes and looked back at her. Edmund was following her closely.

"It wasn't my fault that my cycle got punctured in between," Edmund said with the roll of his eyes.

"You always have your excuses ready, Edmund," Emily said making a face much to Edmund's irritation.

"It is not an excuse but a fact," he said with frustration. Gosh! What am I doing? How will I live without this in my life?

"Guys, she is leaving. So please," Aiden said grabbing their attention. Their face changed as if they were hit by reality. Emily pouted at me and came running to hug me tight.

"Faith," she said. I held her back with a smile, "What am I going to do?" She asked pulling back again with a pout.

"I don't even have friends here other than you," she shouted at me.

"You'll be fine, Emily. Trust me," I said making her understand but I can feel her as I am no different.

"You will call me right?" She asked further. I put a thoughtful face.

"I am pretty sure you will take care of that?" I asked raising my eyebrows as she smiled wholeheartedly.

"That's right. I will be bitching too much so be ready," she said and I nodded.

"Who is going to pay for it?" Edmund asked. She rolled her eyes.

"My dad is sheriff so don't bother," she said with a shrug. Edmund shook his head with disappointment.

"You'll miss Aiden's football match this year," Emily said further. There was an awkward silence for a few seconds before I spoke again.

"I guess," I said smiling stupidly.

"Did you two seriously broke up?" Emily asked again. Edmund gave us a look as well. I couldn't answer that question. It was too much.

"Yes," Aiden did it for me. I don't want to hear the same thing again. I know we broke up but why do everyone has to keep reminding me of that?

"Anyway but Emily, Mason will keep you in his company," I said changing the topic.

"Shut up," she said blushing hard. That was new of Emily to do. She never does those things.

"Aw blushing and all?" I asked with a chuckle and she started giggling.

"Don't be disgusting, Emily," Edmund said making me laugh. Emily threw a glare at him.

"Look who is talking," Aiden said taking Emily's side. Emily smirked at Edmund while Edmund threw an unbelievable look at Aiden.

"Aiden, I feel like you have been taking her side more than mine?" He shouted at Aiden. Aiden shrugged as I contained my laugher.

"I left my love for you," Edmund said getting offended.

"Don't worry, buddy, I am pretty sure you deserve much better," Aiden said putting his arm around Edmund's shoulder. He frowned.

"Ah it's ending on a sad note," Emily said. I looked at Aiden who didn't look back at me.

"What are you two planning for the future?" I asked changing the topic again.

"I am going where Aiden will," Edmund said with a smile getting a glare from Aiden. These two won't change ever. I am happy about that.

"Yes now as you got your ways," Emily said playing with the strand of her hair. Edmund rolled his eyes but sighed as he looked at me.

"I honestly never wanted this to happen. I was happy fighting with you," he said. I smiled gently as the same sad emotions started filling inside me.

"But yes I feel like I am good with history. I love reading about past and I guess I will take the course of archaeology and ancient history," he said. I knew he will say something like that. I smiled at him.

"That's great so you'll be going to Oxford as well?" I asked. He nodded.

"If I get admission then yes," he said. I nodded back at him.

"And you?" I asked further moving my gaze to my drama queen.

"I don't know but I am going to try my luck being an actress or media or anything related to movies or TV," She said getting excited. I chuckled.

"I thought so," I said with a nod knowing her craze for television.

"I will be coming to London sooner than you think," Emily said with a wink. I nodded.

"I can't wait."

"I don't believe we are discussing our future. Isn't it yesterday when we would come here and play some shitty games?" Edmund said making us all chuckled.

"I know right," Emily said, "We grew up too fast. I wish I could rewind the time and enjoy those moments again when we were carefree."

"By the way, when you come to London next..." I said gaining the attention and smiled at them.

"Don't ask for Faith Anderson as she is going to be Faith Greens from now on," I said proudly. Edmund and Aiden smiled at me genuinely.

"Oh my god. You serious?" Emily asked getting excited again.

"Hmm..." "I shook my head as I spoke again, "I don't want to be associated with that man anymore." Even remembering that man makes my blood boil.

"I am fine with my birth mother's last name," I said with a smile and shrugging thoughts of that disgusting man away.

"I wish I would have met her too. She seemed to be a nice person. Just like you," Emily said. I nodded.

"I wish I could be even 10% as to how she was," I said remembering my mom as a smile formed on my lips.

"I am sure she has been proud of you," Edmund said. I looked at him with emotions and sighed.

"I am sorry for putting every one of you in danger," I said feeling genuinely guilty for making them go through this. It was my dad's doing all along after all.

"And here were are again with the formalities. When will we get past it?" Edmund asked making a face. Emily and Aiden laughed while I frowned.

"I know right?" Emily asked.

"I am sad to leave but I don't want to stay here. What should I do?" I said deepening the frown as the thought of leaving these two was so much disturbing.

"The adviser is right there," Emily said pointing to Aiden, "I am just a little actress. What kind of advice I can give you?" She finished dramatically. I rolled my eyes and looked at Aiden. The man or the boy with a few but wise words.

"Hmm..." He gave it a thought and looked at me, "You will feel sad which is inevitable but as the days will pass and you will get settled in the new city and then everything will be fine. You won't remember this small town or it's people anymore."

"It will be just part of your faded memory," he said again. I felt sadder than I already was.

"What if I will need advice again? In my worst days?" I asked looking at him. He chuckled and shrugged.

"I am sure you'll find a good adviser at the university. There are tons of people around, Faith. You won't be alone," he said. I felt like I was tearing up. I couldn't hold it in me anymore.

I know I will find new people but they won't be able to replace these three anytime. These three will always hold the most special part in my heart and in memories.

"I will miss you all...." I said and moved forward to grab them in my arms together, "I really will." I said while we group hugged.

"Don't cry, Faith," Emily said pulling back, "We are right here. So come whenever you want to." I nodded at her.

"Don't come. If you truly want to move on," Aiden said. I frowned at him.

"Try to get over this else you'll be stuck here. Just free yourself if you want to go away," He said again, "Nothing of this will matter."

I don't know why was he being such a jerk today. He can talk with me sweetly but instead, he was insisting that I should move on. I guess that's my fate after all. I pushed everyone away and that's how I might be ending up maybe.

I along with three of them made my way back to the house. It was already closed down with a few workers standing beside mom as she spoke with them with a smile. We joined her in no time as I said my good-bye to all of them who have been working with us over time. It felt heavy as I looked at the house. No matter what but this house has given me so much to remember and cherish and it will always stay in my memory. I looked at the three people talking with mom and my heart started flooding with so many emotions. Mom got around and asked me to seat inside. I nodded at her and looked at Aiden, Emily and Edmund standing beside.

I made a sad face and started crying again. Those three rushed to my side and made me calm a bit. I looked at Aiden as I got seated on the passenger's seat. He gave me a small smile and waved at me.

"Bye, Faith. Do well in whatever field you choose. I wish you all the best for your future ahead. I am sure it will be good. Just take care," he said making me feel that deep pain. I nodded with a great effort as the tears kept sliding through my face making me miserable. He got back from the car.

Mom pulled the accelerator on and made her way out on the road. I looked out of the window as everything started going away. The house, the woods, my three friends, and this town. All things which were closest to me started fading away little by little. I looked out of the window taking the town into my memories to keep it safe. I know I won't and I can't forget it no matter where I go. I sat straight on the seat and kept looking ahead when we were at the border of the town. The road kept taking me ahead and away from the dark past. I sniffed again and I wiped my face with determination to change my future and make everything alright. Northwood was left behind as the new journey started to unwind before me.

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**THE END**

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS BOOK. HOPE YOU LIKED THIS ATTEMPT OF US.