A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

Chapter Fifteen: Open Doors

I felt like I'd been kicked by a horse. My eyes almost refused to open, but the heavy lids finally split apart. The light was exceptionally bright, and I raised my hand to shield my eyes. I was in the back of an ambulance. The EMT closed the bottle of smelling salts, and politely asked if she could check my eyes for dilation.

"The mask stays," I heard someone else say. It was Kory. She was getting checked out. "I am fine, thank you, but my vision is still rather off. I keep seeing bright spots."

"How's Raven?"

"She will live, although I believe she will have a… a… sunburn? Yes, that is the word, a sunburn on her chest for some time."

Eileen MacDonald knocked on the side of the ambulance and helped herself in. She looked over to Kory then glanced to me. Her eyes settled on my bloodied gloves.

"The crime scene unit is going over the car and the house," she said coolly. "Hopefully the DA can make this stick."

"Yeah," I said.

MacDonald nodded and put her hands in her coat pocket. "See you around."

I watched as she walked out.

That night we all sat around the dinner table and shared a pizza. Gar only half-heartedly complained about the choice of toppings. Kory was uncharacteristically quiet, and Rae picked off her mushrooms. I thought about Forester's shrine again and sighed.

So we beat the bad guy.

We won.

Why didn't I feel better?

I got up and walked back to the workroom. I slide Light's picture back to the incarcerated column and lightly punched the wall in frustration.

"Dick?"

The light scent of jasmine wafted in, followed by a soft undertone of lavender.

"Yes, Kory?"

"Raven and I were wanting to know if you'd like to join us. We are going to the mall to find a, as you said, 'civilian look.'"

"Yes, and Victor and Garfield were wondering if you'd go with them to Toys N Mor for a new video game," Raven chimed in.

I glanced around, and a small grin curled my lips. I looked to the girls and remembered that I had four of the best friends I could hope to have.

"Thanks," I said. "I'd love to."

THE END

A/N: Thanks everyone for all the reviews and readership! This story was an extremely rewarding experience for me, and I hope you enjoyed it!

So, as my first murder mystery, how'd I do?

Thanks again!

The SB