Epilogue

A few hours later, a white yacht arrived at the island's pier where Vaughn was patiently waiting.

As soon as it docked, the weary cowboy met with its driver: a clean, refined young man with blonde hair dressed in a white and orange hoodie. He rushed towards Vaughn with a mixed look of anxiety and eagerness.

"So? How is she?!" he asked suddenly.

"You mean Chelsea, right?" Vaughn clarified, with the young man shaking his head feverously.

The gruff man cocked an eyebrow, and then sighed long and hard.

"I couldn't believe the rumors surrounding Chelsea sounded reasonable, but man, after I saw her myself, it was a shocker. That girl took Sabrina's death harder than I realized, and she---"

Vaughn paused for a moment, recalling hidden feelings that gave way when Chelsea's original personality had faded.

"---she was out of it, badly. I think I broke through to her for just a moment, but it wasn't enough. As much as I regret thinking it, I don't think I can help her recover completely."

The young man clenched his hands, restraining the bitterness swelling in side him and keeping him from taking it out on the passenger.

"What? Don't give me that, Vaughn! You're her friend! And the only one now that Sabrina's gone! You're the closest one to her, now! You should know more than enough about that girl to be able to help!" he shouted.

"Will," Vaughn answered calmly, "I know it meant a lot to you to finally meet her after all this time. You've told me time after time, but that's no reason to blame me for her condition."

The seafarer in white stepped back and went down on one knee, trembling nervously.

"I-I'm sorry, I just… do you know how often it is I've seen her from afar without even exchanging a single word with her? And then…out of the blue… that happens?" he asked.

Vaughn gripped his hat and lowered the rim parallel to his eyes.

"…does it make me a bad person for being ignorant? I 'm aware this must be like hell to you, but I can't make out those emotions for myself. I'm sorry." He apologized.

Reluctantly, the troubled young man picked himself up.

"No, I should be the one who should be sorry, feeling so useless. What could I have done? What can I do now? I don't see any answers…" he admitted bitterly.

"If it makes you feel any better, I can't help but feel somehow responsible this. I'm her best friend, and I should have been able to help her get through Sabrina's death, yet I just let her break apart like that. I feel like there I would hold the answer to fix everything, but the only one I see before me is a lie. I refuse to indulge her for the sake of a damned lie; it would only break her even more."

Will stared back silently with unwanted jealously plaguing his heart.

"If only I had gotten off this boat and actually tried something; If only I had actually met her; maybe she actually would have liked me back. But I just kept making excuses. There's nothing I can even do for her now. She's slowly losing herself…" he thought to himself in agony.

"Let's go." Vaughn's voice suddenly commanded.

"W-what?"

"Look, if neither of us can do anything for her here at the moment, we might as well see if there's something that can help from the outside." He proposed.

"Like what?" Will asked.

"I don't know. You're the rich one, Will. You should have plenty of resources available to you on hand. In the mean time, maybe I could get a few books and do some reading while I'm working, maybe talk to her folks, anything to get some insight on her condition. I'm not expecting any miracles, but I refuse to believe she can't be helped. Her usual self is still around, and, I think someone may be looking after her aside from the Harvest Goddess" Vaughn explained.

Will remained silent. He was shocked that he'd be quick to leave his friend behind under such conditions, but amazed at his sudden resolve.

"Still, even with everything at my disposal, I can't guarantee you anything. You'd think someone like me could just waltz into any place like some gala premiere and charm the girl of his dreams like he was just taking a breath of fresh air, but it's never that simple…"

"Then here's your chance to do something NOW." Vaughn refuted.

Again, Will felt Vaughn's resolve overwhelm him, but chose to laugh off his intimidation this time.

"I…see. Fine, you're right. Before, I had my choice, but when a lovely lady is in peril, whether it be mental or physical, I have no choice but to act." He agreed.

Slowly and steadily, Will walked towards the yacht's helm, prepared to steer his vessel.

"You're sure you're ready to head off now?" he asked Vaughn.

The stern cowboy gave single silent nod.

"Very well, then…" Will answered back with a sigh.

After finally taking his place at the helm, the wealthy owner placed one hand on the wheel, while placing the other on a nearby lever. He then pulled the lever, which started up the engine, and allowed the yacht to leave port.

Still on deck, Vaughn's violet eyes stared across the ocean. He was well aware that he made a hard choice, but he knew this moment of crisis required rational actions over sentimental ones. Although sticking to his usual routine may leave Chelsea unchecked during his usual period of absence, he still planned to return on the same days he always did to check up on her in case his presence may aid her in the future. And if he wasn't there, he was well aware of the guardian angel that chose to stay at her side.

In the end, he chose to place his faith compassion; the one thing those close to him had always shown him despite his own cynicism.

Perhaps it will be that very compassion that may save Chelsea as well…