Epilogue~

It was a week after I killed Lionel. Dana tried to comfort me after I weaved up a story of how I found Lionel's grandparents and took him there.

Her comfort didn't work...I was still an emotional wreck.

But after a week of isolation, I decided to get up and go somewhere. Hit the town, maybe go to Central Park...I needed to do something to get the memory out of my head.

I went to a place called Dellons. It was a nice, quiet little cafe on the corner of an unknown street. The inside was an area with a lounge-like feel to it. It was nice and small, but large enough to accompany at least 80 people. The cafe was brightly lit with small soft chairs and medium sized couches, red in colour. The chairs were set in small circles, around...Cherry oak tables...? The couches were big enough to fit four people, and were set across each other, a rectangular table in between them.

It seemed that they encouraged everyone to relax, as well, because shoes were placed next to the chairs/couches, and people were sitting Indian style, socks on, and even barefoot. I saw an empty table and decided to accompany it, taking off my shoes and sitting the same way everyone else did. It was...Unnerving. Greene didn't talk to me after the incident, never heard a peep out of her. That started to worry me...Where did she go?

"Allo there," I blinked and sat up, my eyes shifted to a woman, still in her early 20's, maybe late 20's...Long black hair, cream coloured sweater, and a pair of denim jeans. She seemed to be friendly. I didn't even know she was holding a cup of tea until I looked. She smiled softly and said, "Something wrong?"

I frowned. "You could say that..." She frowned along with me and patted my shoulder, placing the cup of tea in front of me and plopping herself on the couch across the table.

"Hey...Care to tell me? A little tea and good conversation never hurt anybody."

My eyes darted to the small cup and I picked it up. "It's herbal tea..."

"Yeah, good for the heart." She pounded her chest and grinned. "Name's Beth, and yours is...?"

I chuckled, her British accent tickled me, but the thought of Lionel came creeping back. "Name's Alex...I...I lost a good friend of mine..." I sipped the herbal tea, and made a face. It was bitter.

She grinned and started to laugh; looks like she was amused by the look on my face. "It's an acquired taste, but it's healthy for you. Makes you relax, y'know?"

I had to agree, the tea started to sink in, a warm feeling spreading into my body. "Yeah..."

Beth frowned and leaned in. "Hey, I'm sorry about your friend. You said you lost 'em?" She shook her head. "It'll be alright, man...We all lose someone special in our lives, but we can't help it...That's how life is. You can mourn 'em, but you can't be a bloody fool and cry and mope every single day 'bout him...You have to move on."

...Beth was right. I had to move on...I couldn't live like I did, locked in a room...And stay there for the rest of my life. As much as I wanted Lionel back, I had to move on, but I couldn't grasp the thought of pushing him to the side. A tinge of enjoyment spread through me, and in the back of my head as well...It was the same feeling when I was in the alleyway, moments after I killed Lionel. Greene must have been busting my chops, I couldn't think of another reason why I was feeling like this. I grinned and looked at Beth. "...Thanks, I needed that. I...I feel a bit better now."

Beth nodded and stood up. "Welcome. Glad to make you happy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to tend to the other customers." She walked away, doing as she told me, talking to other customers, making them comfortable. I sat back and drank the rest of the tea, that happy feeling still lingering.

"Greene?" I muttered. "What're you doing?"

After a week of silence, she finally said something. ...Mercer...

"What? A week of nothing and all you say is 'Mercer'?"

...Nevermind that...I...I found something.

"You found what?" My interest was perked, and I sat up.

...You'll know when you hear it.

"Hear what? Greene," I hissed, looking around. Noone heard me, thank God. "If you don't tell me..." She didn't say anything after that, but I didn't care...I wasn't going to let her ruin my mood.

I spent two hours in Dellons, just sitting there, relaxing...And then...about 3:00, I left. I walked out (with my shoes on) and stretched, feeling good. I still couldn't help but wonder what Greene meant.

"You'll know when you hear it...That's bull."

An hour of walking to Central Park made me tired, so I sat on a bench when I got there. I raised my head, looking at the sky beyond the trees. It was turning pink, meaning the sun was about to set. Everything was quiet around me, the sounds of cars, people and the sound of the approaching night life was distant in my ears. "Crop circles in the carpet..." I had myself singing the song again, but it didn't sadden me...It made me happy...I was comfortable.

Trains and sewing machines...

"Oh you won't catch m-woah...wait..." I sat up, frowning. Was that Greene? How did she...? "Greene, was that you?" I paused and listened for her response.

Nope. She said.

I frowned. "If you're messing with me, I swear..."

Even if it was me, you can't touch me.

"Then if it wasn't you..."

Blood and tears...They were here first...

My whole body froze...I knew whose voice that was. "...Lionel?" No, no no no...How did he...?

...I told you, Alex... He said, as if reading my thoughts. ...I'll always be with you.

"You were..." I couldn't grasp this...Lionel was in my head... "You were that little spot in the back of my head, weren't you?"

...Yeah, I was.

I found him, trying to press through. It looks like he was trying to reach you, but he couldn't... Green explained. I had to make him do it.

It was all like some sort of...Surreal dream. I wanted to believe it, but it all seemed too crazy. Way too crazy. Greene was in my head, but that was because her mind refused to die...And so she stayed there...I guess it was the same for Lionel; he didn't want to die, he still wanted to stay with me...And so...His mind, his thoughts...his soul remained. It was bittersweet: I couldn't hug Lionel, pick him up and spin him around...I couldn't touch him. But I could talk to him, laugh with him...It was like having a guardian angel.

You alright Alex? Lionel asked.

"Hmm?" I blinked and snapped out of my thoughts. "Yeah, yeah...I'm fine, now that you're with me." I heard him giggle. Greene mumbled something.

"Oh, oh what was that Greene?" I made a cupping motion over my ear. "I'm sorry you have to share my brain with Lionel."

She hissed in response.

Awww, don't worry! Lionel said. It'll be fun.

I chuckled and stood up. It was time to go home. "Yeah...It will be."