It was funny, almost.

Akko could still feel something nipping at the back of her head. Like a voice egging her on and telling her she needed to go back to the ruins and to separate herself from everyone. She couldn't deny how much the thought scared her any longer. But with everything happening to Diana, and the idea that somewhere in this wild animal was the nice doctor who greeted them on the airstrip, she didn't have much choice but to swallow her fear.

The curse was still at work, and she was still afraid. She was still so very afraid. Even if the curse wasn't there, all the ideas it planted in her head were. But she had accepted them, partially out of the heat of the moment and partially because it was something she had dealt with before, and now she was standing in front of the same wild animal that savaged her arm. And even with the fear still there, the exact same as it ever was, it felt like a part of her, as opposed to everything, like it had been.

"Is…is it actually you in there?" Akko asked the creature quietly. "You're the one who…?"

"What do you want?" The panther glared. "What more do you people want from me? How much more am I supposed to take from you?"

Akko swallowed as its voice rumbled in a low growl. "…I just don't want you to hurt them." She admitted. "And…I just wanna know why. Because this whole trip has been one crazy thing after another, and I just want to know why it's all happening."

"Because you're going to take them!" Darío snapped. "That's what they all want! Turn my ruins into a tourist attraction! Into some academic paper! Steal them away when we found them!"

Diana, whose eyes had been boring into the back of Akko's head ever since she stepped up to face Darío, stepped over to Akko's side. "I…I was never going to take them. I just wanted to study them. Use them for my-"

An animalistic growl burst from Darío's throat. "Using them! Using my things! My legacy! All to further yourself, when you already had so much!"

Diana's arm snapped in front of Akko, a barrier between her and the panther. There was a flash in Darío's eyes, as if he saw it as a challenge. He was still right on the edge.

Akko glanced down at the arm in front of her torso, at how much it was shaking, and almost wanted to chuckle. Instead of hiding behind it, she simply took Diana's hand and lowered it to in between their sides, holding it there with a reassuring squeezed.

"Akko." Diana hissed. "What do you think you're-?"

"…I think I get it." Akko decided, smiling at the incredulous panther. "What you're saying, I mean."

"You get it?" Darío's eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Akko shrugged. "I mean, what you wanted was kinda like my dream too! Someone made me happy when I was a kid, and I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to make other people smile and inspire them, like she did for me. And I still want to do that stuff, and I want to bring everyone that happiness."

She glanced over her shoulder, where Andrew was still passed out, and breathing heavily, and pursed her lips. "But the thing is, I see some of what my friends are doing, how they're gonna be big heads of state or cool people in charge of all these important things, and it just… you see all these people, who do all these big stuff, and it makes your dream seem really small sometimes."

Diana shot her a look at that. Darío was unmoved. But he also wasn't trying to attack anyone. So Akko kept going all the same.

"…I don't think I'm a very good witch, or a really smart person or anything super fancy. I don't…actually know where I belong really. So I felt like I didn't really have anything going for me, and when I saw all these amazing things everyone else was doing, it just made me feel sorta worse."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I guess I dunno why you decided to do this, but I kinda get getting really mad and wanting to break something. I…I almost tried to destroy the ruins all by myself."

The panther's eyes widened. "What do you mean…destroy my ruins?" He panicked. "Did you? A-are they still there? Have they-?"

"I didn't do it!" Akko said quickly. "They're still there! But…when you and Diana were always talking about how big and fancy they were, and how important they are, and I guess I got…scared. Like I was gonna get left behind. I was gonna try and hit the things with lightning, because I thought if I broke them…well, I dunno what I really thought."

Akko gave Diana's hand one more squeeze, before stepping forward and reaching out. Darío flinched away. "W-what are you-?"

Akko laid her hand atop the panther's head. "I guess what stopped me is…I decided I don't really care." She smiled to herself. "I mean, I do care. About Diana and Andrew and everything they wanna do. Maybe they'll do way more important stuff than I'll ever do, but…I think that's okay, in the end. Like I said, I wanted to bring people happiness. If I went and blew everything up, just to prove something, then I think I'd just end up hurting people."

Darío blinked, before shaking her hand off his head. "…That's…that's naïve." He decided. "Yeah, I want to honor my grandfather's legacy, and yeah, I didn't want to hurt anyone either. But those are mine. They're all I have left of him. And I'm just supposed to roll over and…what, just let someone take them? Because of some childish sentiment?"

"But you're trying to hurt people."

Darío bristled. "I'm protecting what I love!" He argued. "How is that wrong? How is that not justified?"

"But I mean, that's what I'm saying!" Akko said. "I think I am, at least. That's why I was gonna go breaking everything, because I thought I was gonna be protecting my friends. But when I talked to the old woman up there, I think I realized I was just…kinda doing it for myself. I wasn't actually helping anyone."

Diana wriggled her hand out of Akko's grasp, leveling her with a serious look. "What old woman? You say her too?"

"Too?" Darío's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean too? She was talking to…to you two?"

Diana's brows furrowed. "And…and Andrew. He said he learned about the curse from some local woman, the night you were…Was that the same woman? What did she look like, Akko?"

Akko shrugged. "I dunno…her skin was kinda dark. She had long grey hair. Really wrinkly."

They turned when they heard a small incarnation being muttered under someone's breath. Where the panther once stood was Darío Santillo, back in his human form. His expression was dejected. Confused.

"You…all saw her? The same…?" He ran a hand through his hair. "But…but no. That doesn't…she was the one who convinced me to...She was here. She told me if I let you all go…that…that you would…"

And now Akko was the one who was confused. "Wait, she was here with you? When? She was up on the ruins with me!"

Diana crossed her arms. "No, I saw her too. She was out in the yard. But..."She turned to Darío, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "I never saw her talking to you."

"No…no she was on my porch. I saw her there. She…she was trying to help me. How could you have seen her? She…she was supposed to help me."

Diana pursed her lips. "She said she wanted to help me as well, when I met her in town. But when she was talking to me out in the yard, she was…"

"Aggressive?" Darío finished. "She seemed…so much more...in control, when I saw her here. But…this still doesn't make any sense. How could she be in so many places at once? How could she…?"

"…Perhaps…" Diana tapped her chin. "She's related to the curse in some way…"

"There's no curse." Darío said. "That's…that's just a rumor. And what would that even have to do with that old woman?"

"There must be something." Diana argued. "She was playing us. I have no idea why, but…whatever she…it was…it was clearly trying to manipulate all of us. Something must be at work here. She couldn't be in multiple places at once, and she couldn't know the things she knew if she was just the old woman she appeared to be…"

Darío was silent, weighing the words. "…Say…say it is cursed. If it's like any other curse, then it's more powerful the closer you are to its center. She goaded you two back here. She kept Akko from breaking them. And once told me I had to stay here and protect this place."

Diana nodded. "She told us exactly what we didn't want to hear so we'd come running back and get ourselves…" She pursed her lips. "But…but why? What does she gain?"

"The shrine is dedicated to an ancient witch. Maybe it was her, in another life and she simply wanted to keep her home protected. She had it sealed away in that shell, and it when it was breached, she manipulated everyone and everything to keep it preserved. Just like…like I wanted…to…"

Akko couldn't keep up with the conversation fully, not as their speculation got more and more specific. But eventually, she heard a groan from behind her, and quietly slipped away, back to the destroyed car, where Andrew was struggling to push himself upward.

"Ow…" He moaned. "What happened…?"

Akko bent down. "Andrew? Are you okay?"

He blinked at her. Once, and then again. "Akko? Where did you come from? What's going on?" His eyes flicked behind her, and widened quite a bit when he saw Darío and Diana talking to each other. "…Okay…? No seriously, what's…what's going on?"

Akko shrugged, and a small giggle escaped her throat. "Y-yeah, I have no clue! But I guess those two are the experts, so…!"

Andrew let out a series of exasperated stutters, before rubbing his forehead. "…Is everyone okay here?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"You and Diana get bit again?"

"No."

"And we're sure I'm not dead?"

"Yep."

Andrew threw up his hands. "Then I guess that's all the answers I need right now." He looked down at himself. "I need a shower. Figures the rain starts letting up now. What are they talking about?"

"I…have no idea." Akko admitted. "I think they're trying to figure this curse thing out."

Gradually, Darío seemed to become more and more receptive to the idea that the ruins might've been cursed. Akko didn't catch all of it, but she knew enough to recognize the dawning horror in his voice.

"But if…if she was some manifestation of this curse…then why wouldn't it affect…?"

Diana tilted her head as he trailed off. "Affect who? Because it clearly affected everyone here tonight.

Darío let out a shaky breath. "Oh my god…I…I always wondered why he built his house so far out, after he found the ruins. I thought…I thought he was just enamored but…"

Akko stood up straighter. "Wait, your grandfather?"

"It all makes sense…" He wrung his hands through his hair, his face stitched with sudden guilt. "Why he moved out so far, why he was always sinking into his research…he didn't want to…like I did…he…oh my god. He didn't want to hurt anyone. He didn't want to…Oh my god. What did I do? Your arm, a-and the…what did I…? I…it was all supposed to be for him. It was supposed to protect them, but…oh my god."

Akko reached out. "I mean…it's okay! It was a curse, right? It's not like it was all you…right? Isn't that…?"

"No…" He moaned, his voice growing emptier and emptier. "It's not how it works. It…something like this…this curse, it unleashed some of my innermost desires, but…they were already in there. That may have been me at my worst, but…it was still me. I was…I was about to…"

The man fell to his knees, hiding his face from the world in his hands. "I was going to do that…for nothing. For nothing! He never would've wanted this! He…he never…"

Akko and Diana shared a look. Diana was pensive, unsure how she should feel for Darío after everything that happened. But as little as Akko understood about the curse, she wasn't lying when she told him she understood what he had been going through.

Darío looked up from his hands, his face cold and stony. "…You were right, Akko. You had the right idea."

Akko blinked. "I…I was? What does that mean? Why was I…?"

Darío said only one word. "Lightning."

"But…" Akko looked up to the sky. "But the storm's over. There's not even much rain. How are you going to-?"

Darío stood to his feet, filled with purpose. "There are spells. There are always spells. I have to protect my family's legacy. And I can't…there's only one way to do it. I have to get rid of these myself."

Diana crossed her arms. "That's a risky plan, especially trying to pull a stunt like that this soon after a real storm."

"I know that." He snapped. "I have a doctorate in these types of magic. I've studied spells like that for years."

"Then…you do know that calling down any significant amount of lightning from this kind of weather, especially when you don't seem to have an actual wand to provide kickback…"

Diana trailed off, but her warning was clear. Darío was quiet for a moment.

"…Then call the police, and tell them to bring an ambulance." He paused for a moment, choking on his words. "Tell them…I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean anything but…I'm so sorry."

Pinching his eyes closed, he ran into the forest, towards the ruins one final time.

Akko started after him, only for Andrew to grab her shoulder. Akko could only stare at his hand in disbelief. "We can't just let him-!"

"He wants to redeem himself." Andrew said firmly. "And having you get caught in the crossfire would only make things worse. Let him do what he needs to."

"But Andrew! We…I…I can't just-!"

Before she could finish her sentence, she found herself startled once more by the crack of thunder. Only this time, it hardly sounded natural. It was a much more artificial and electric sounding boom.

A lightning strike screamed down from the heavens, and Akko ducked as shrapnel propelled itself all the way towards the house. But all the sound she might've heard was drowned out by the sound of an explosion from the clearing.

Her ears were ringing, and she couldn't even hear Diana talk into Andrew's phone. But she could see the black smoke rising from the trees into the cloudy night sky.

The ruins were gone. Whatever that old lady was, she was gone too.

Diana hung up the phone, turning to her friends with a solemn expression. "They're on their way."

And they all could only watch as Darío staggered from the bushes. None of them dared get close. Not when his very body was trailing smoke. Akko strained to make out his words from across the yard.

"…this is…what he…w-wan…"

As Darío collapsed, Akko noticed a single smoldering piece of the stone mural embedded itself in the grass, only a few meters away from her feet. Akko took a slow step over to inspect the image, of a witch and a panther.

And a large crack went through the rock, splitting the two forever.

One hour after it all went down, the Santillo property was filled with police cars and emergency response vehicles. Darío Santillo was quickly wheeled away by the first responders. He was covered with burns, and plenty of cuts from shrapnel, but he was alive. From what little he was able to speak, he confessed everything to the police. Everything he did and he planned to do.

It was pretty clear to Diana the police were almost unable to believe it. She had just given them her own statement. One of the sergeants, an indigenous woman who had served as the magical expert on the force for ten years, had just stared at her as she gave her statement.

She supposed she should just be grateful it stopped raining.

Diana pulled the police blanket tighter around herself, and trudged over to where Andrew and Akko were sitting, on the back bumper of an open police van. She didn't hear what the two of them were talking about. As soon as she approached, they both stopped.

A shy smile snuck up Akko's cheeks. They had barely even caught wind of each other since the explosion. This was the first calm moment they had together since before the bite. Diana wasn't sure if she wanted to keep her face neutral or not.

Akko adjusted the blanket around her own shoulders. "Hey."

"…Hey yourself."

"Do you think he'll be okay?" Akko asked. "I mean…that seemed like a bad explosion. That could've been me up there. I hope they'll be able to help him. I don't think he was super evil."

Diana thought over her response for almost an entire minute. "…I think he'll live. But after what he confessed…I doubt he'll be a free man for a while, all things considered."

Akko made a pensive hum. Placated, if not incredibly reassured. How she could be so empathetic in even the worst situations, Diana could not imagine.

Akko scratched the side of her head with her free hand. "S-so um…this whole thing was…darker than I thought."

"Yes." Diana nodded, taking her seat next to her on the van. "…I think…I would've preferred your idea. A nice…vacation in town."

Andrew chuckled from Akko's other side. "Oh, yeah. Imagine that. Going to the beach, taking pictures, trying exotic drinks…wouldn't that have been the dream."

Akko shifted on the bumper, before looking up to Diana with a small bite of her lip. "…And…earlier, you said…I brought out parts of you that you didn't like."

Diana sighed, long and heavy. "Well…I'd…I'd like to say it was just fear talking but…" She winced as she spoke. "…I don't believe it came out of nowhere. Some of those thoughts were much more self-destructive than I usually want to be, but…"

It was just like Santillo said. The thoughts were all already there. She didn't want to have this conversation. She really didn't.

Because once all the cards were on the table, that would be it. She couldn't admit everything and expect her relationship to stay intact. She couldn't admit to being afraid of the person she could become around Akko and then act like they could still be girlfriends once the conversation ended.

It was desperate bid, disguised as an innocent comment. "I didn't realize you felt so worried about all of that either." Diana mused. "About being…small, I suppose."

"I usually don't." Akko shrugged. "But…after a while of…I dunno, being in your life, I guess I just started to notice it more. And then with everything that happened, it started to get to me and I…sort of freak out then."

Something churned in the pit of Diana's stomach. She breathed, in and out. "So just…being in my life...brought out that side of you. That's what I was saying before. How not every part of myself when I'm with you is…good."

Akko seemed to catch the implication in her tone, from the way her shoulders drooped. "So…what are you saying then…?"

She knew. And she didn't want Diana to say it. And Diana didn't want to say it either. But she was not someone who could allow herself to lose control to her emotions, even if she did want.

"I'm saying…" Diana started, looking everywhere but at Akko. "…that we both ended up being…afraid of hurting the other. And that's…that's not right. You aren't supposed to be able to hurt the ones you love. So we…we should think about…"

Andrew suddenly sat up.

"Now hang on. That's not true."

Diana's brows furrowed. "How is what I said, untrue? Look at all the fear this whole thing caused. That has nothing to do with-"

"It has everything do with it." Andrew said. "I mean, yeah there's a point where it becomes unhealthy, but love and fear have everything to do with each other. Look what happened here."

He gestured out to the police vehicles, before finally pointing to where the smoke still rose from the smoldering ruins. "The doctor did what he did because he loved his grandfather and wanted to protect his legacy. The old woman pulled all of this because she loved her homeland. I was worried sick when Akko stormed out, and when I saw how badly this was hurting you, I…I can't even really describe it. I felt awful. I felt awful at seeing you two be torn apart like this."

"So…what?" Diana crossed her arms. "You were worried, so that justifies everything that happened? How does that make sense?"

"Because if the old Andrew Hanbridge went on this trip, he would've been scared. He didn't care enough. There was nothing in his life that he valued so much that the thought of losing that terrified him. That's what you two are to me. You two can terrify the hell out of me, because you matter enough to do it."

Diana shook her head. "That doesn't sound like love. At least, that doesn't sound like what love should be. There's…there's a vulnerability with it, yes, but…there shouldn't be a terror with it."

"Yeah, there's a line, but this isn't it." Andrew stated. "If you wanna move on, that's up to you. But don't do it because of this. Because even if you do move on from each other, the next person you get with can still break your heart with a sentence. And you're always going to be terrified of that. You're in the exact same situation, except you both decided to be miserable for some self-sacrificing nonsense."

"But is that love?"

"It's life. And it's terrifying, and it brings out the worst parts of you, and it's always going to do it. Maybe you are terrified of how the people you love change you, but if they couldn't and you aren't…then it's hard to say you ever truly cared at all."

Diana didn't know if she could respond to that. So she remained silent, feeling like her emotions were trying to drown her again.

Akko ran her hand through her hair. "...Diana…you said not all of those parts were good…but some of them were, right?"

"…Y-yes. There were so many good points. And…a-and all I wanted to do was to do right and live up to that. You brought out a different person in me, and all I ever wanted was to be that same person all the time. But…b-but I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because….because you were so worried this entire time about whether or not I even cared, and I was terrified, terrified, that I could never be the person you deserve, and I'm not…I'm not strong enough to always be there a-and handle everything and anything all at once. I felt safe being vulnerable with you, but I don't want to be a vulnerable person. I want to be with you. But I…I don't know if what I want is really what's best."

Most of the words spilled from her before she had a chance to stop them.

But Akko still seemed to think each and every one of them over. They were all true, even the parts she might've wished weren't. She wouldn't lie to her. She loved her, so much. Enough to break her heart with the honest truth.

Perhaps she shouldn't have been surprised, when Akko once again defied her expectations. "…Diana, I…I still really wanna be with you too." Akko admitted. "Like, okay, I get it. All things considered, I'm probably an annoying loser compared to you because the only thing I ever really could've done to support you this entire time was just to zip it and let you actually work, but I still like you and I still wanna date you even though I'm annoying loser and you're this big shot who maybe doesn't totally like anyone helping her ever."

Diana parted her lips to respond. There was so much she wanted to say, so much she had to justify and apologize for.

Too much.

More than she could ever.

Her throat felt empty, and her head dizzy. "I…I…understand." It was all she could manage.

"So I mean…even if it's not...the best, can we still just…?"

As Akko reached out to hug her, Diana's heart pounded in her chest. Her instincts told her to go one way. To pull back, remain calm, and let that be that.

But instead, she let Akko pull her inwards. And still unable to tell her everything she needed, she wanted to tell her, Diana laid her face on her girlfriend's shoulder.

She heaved, and let herself sob.

It took most of the next day before the police decided they didn't need any more statements. Darío had told them everything, told them he was responsible for all of it, and that seemed to speed up the process significantly, but they still needed clarification before they were finally allowed to leave.

And ultimately, that was all they wanted to do. To get back home. And after all the rainstorms and heart-clenching terror, Akko couldn't help but sink back into the plush seat of the Hanbridge's private jet. She couldn't wait to get flying out of here.

Akko found herself flexing her fingers. She finally got her bandages and sling off, and right now her hand felt like static. But her skin was free of any bite marks, and she was pretty sure it'd be back to normal by the time they landed back in England.

On her other shoulder was Diana's head. After everything that happened, she was completely burned out. Physically and emotionally. She had been practically clinging to Akko's side ever since. They still weren't totally sure what all of it meant for them. For both of them.

But Akko decided to play with Diana's hair. And Diana, it seemed, was deciding to let her. Diana let out a breath, and all but melted in her seat. Too tired to really smile, but as much as Akko wanted to make her, she was simply glad Diana felt safe where she was.

"It helps me get the feeling back in my fingers." Akko said to her, for no real reason.

Diana tried not shift her head. "Is it feeling better?"

"My arm? Almost good as new." She twisted one strand of blonde hair around another. "I'm almost done."

Andrew walked into the cabin to take his seat, but paused to watch what Akko was doing. "That might be the most…unsightly braid I've ever seen." He mused to Diana. "But somehow…it suits you."

It took Diana a moment to find a reaction, but eventually she snorted, with a subdued smile. "…I'm genuinely amazed, Andrew. You managed to insult two people simultaneously with one compliment."

Andrew shrugged, a grin inching up his cheeks. "I do try."

Akko giggled. "Well, maybe you don't have a good paper to write, but at least you got a good adventurous look!"

Diana draped the braid over her shoulder, playing with it in her hands. "…you are something else, Akko. I honestly can't believe you."

"I know, right? Your hair's really thick and wavy, but I still made it work!"

"Ah. Yes. That's what I was talking about." Diana rested her head back down on Akko's shoulder, settling in as comfortably as she could. "Don't worry about my paper. I had a few backup topics prepared. I'm sure I can still get it done in time."

"But, you know. Tomorrow. We all gotta go out to eat after this! You guys gotta treat me, because I'm broke."

Andrew chuckled. "Well, when you put it like that...anywhere particular you two want to go?"

Diana shrugged absently. "It doesn't matter to me. I've barely eaten this entire trip."

Akko agreed. "Yeah. Anywhere's fine, as long as you two are okay with it. As long as you two have a little fun, so we can say we had a good vacation. And as for me, I'm just hungry. I haven't had a bite in three days."

The cabin was silent for a moment.

Diana covered her face with her hand, trying to stifle a laugh. "Y-you are the worst. The absolute worst."

Andrew doubled over, and pretty soon Akko joined the two of them, because frankly they all needed a laugh, and she was always willing to bring someone a smile if she could.

A few minutes later, once the plane finally lurched forward and took the air, they all felt much more confident in saying the entire adventure was behind them, and the cabin settled in a cozy silence.

Eventually Bruce, the Hanbridge's butler, to come in and check on his charges. Bruce eyed the two of them, arching a brow at Diana draped over Akko's shoulder.

"I see you two have made yourselves comfortable."

Diana shifted, sinking her head into the sleeve of Akko's jacket. "She is my girlfriend. I'm lucky to have her."

Akko beamed, ear to ear.

Bruce nodded, before checking in on Andrew, who simply decided to distract himself with some paperwork until they landed back at the Hanbridge estate. And with that, Bruce returned to the cockpit.

After another quiet minute, Akko felt Diana shift again. "…I…you don't…mind if I sleep, do you?" Diana asked. "I'm not…a fan on flying on airplanes…but I can sit up if you need to-"

Akko shook her head. "Nah, it's fine. But you don't mind if I read this thing, do you?"

"Is that…my book?"

"Yeah." Akko shrugged. "You always seemed to like this one, so I was just curious what it was about. You don't mind, do you?"

"…No." Diana decided at last, closing her eyes. "I suppose it's fine. It was one of my favorites."

With nothing better to do during the long flight home, Akko cracked open the book. It was a romance novel, describing the forbidden love between wealthy socialite Alice Kennedy and roughly cut photographer Derick Carlson. It was a perfect, idealized love, only troubled by outside forces trying to tear their perfect bond apart. It was cute, as far as fantasy went.

Bruce made a few more stops on the way back, periodically checking in if Andrew or his special guests needed something. Diana slept most of the way back, and it didn't take Andrew long either. Akko only got so far into the book before her eyes started to wander around the cabin.

It was hard to believe she was ever uncomfortable in this plane. The seats were still a bit too plush, and the butler thing was still weird. It was probably always going to be one of those weird things. It was just how Akko was, when it came to the world Diana and Andrew came from.

She wondered what Mr. Hanbridge would say when he heard about all this. Or what Anna or Daryl might say. Maybe it would change their tunes when it came to Akko.

It didn't need to. It might've been nice, but she didn't need it. Whatever happened, Andrew was here with his two best friends. And Diana was with her, by her side from now until who knows when. Diana moaned in her sleep, and Akko took care not to move her shoulder too much.

It wasn't particularly easy to stay that still, but she tried. She might've imagined something different, but hey.

Diana was here, so it was home.

A.N. There was something of a reoccurring theme here of "right for the wrong reasons" which is why Akko couldn't be the one to do the deed of destroying the ruins. Eventually, they all had to embrace the thing that scared them the most, so naturally Darío had to be the one to do it for it to really feel justified.

I tried to sprinkle a few hints here and there that the old woman wasn't human, but some of them got lost in the hiatus. Like the antique shop having a bell that rung when Diana entered, but didn't when the woman left. And Andrew referring to her as an "it" in her first appearance. What she actually was meant to be was a manifestation of fear itself. She was the head witch described in Diana's paper from the other chapter. It was always mentioned the ruins put the thoughts in your head, and let you simmer in them, but if you were to run away, they needed a way to bring you back and really do you in.

And as for everything else? I dunno! A lighter, more ambiguous ending, but it felt right in this case, considering what it dealt with. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed this, and I'm glad you were patient with the whole sudden shift from fluff to angst and then the hiatus and everything. Always feels good to finish a story, and I hope it was worth it in the end!