Page 57 of Psycho Killers

We were free to move forward. We were free to start over, and we embraced this chance wholeheartedly.

Back at ourapartment with Dom, Ash, and Five, the sun dips below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the living room. I look over at Calista, her laughter still echoing softly in my ears. She's sitting on the floor, surrounded by piles of sketchbooks and colored pencils—her old form of therapy re-emerging slowly, yet beautifully. It's a sight that fills my heart with hope, and as I look over at Dominic and Ash, I see the same look on their faces. The smudges of graphite dance on the pages, each stroke conveying a sense of resilience that mirrors her journey.

“Can you believe it?” she asks, beaming as she turns a sketch of a girl surrounded by broken glass toward me. “When I first came up with this idea, I never imagined I’d be able to draw freely again. I used to draw before I was locked in the attic, and I always loved it.”

I chuckle, shaking my head in disbelief. “You’ve always had a wild imagination. It’s what we fucking love about you!”

A faint blush creeps onto her cheeks as she laughs, but there's something deeper in her eyes now—an unwavering determination. The darkness that had threatened to engulf her feels like a distant memory, overshadowed by the luminous spirit she exudes now.

Determined to turn a new leaf, Five leans forward on the couch and suggests, “Let’s do something special to celebrate the end of this chapter. All five of us.”

Calista’s eyes sparkle at the suggestion. “Really? Like, just us? No more worries?”

He nods; the weight of our past has begun to lift, and it feels exhilarating to invite possibility back into our lives. She takes a moment, her gaze drifting out the window, contemplating possibilities, her face lighting up with youthful fervor.

"What do you have in mind?" she asks, gathering her stuff and putting it away, anxious to find out what Five has planned.

But I know already, and so do the others; the only one that doesn't is Calista. I think it's what we need right now before we leave the city we've called home our entire lives. We all want a fresh start, and moving to a whole new place sounds fucking like the perfect place to begin.

"A race," Five announces, a smile gracing his lips. "One final race with the five of us to celebrate all the good that's been happening since shit ended."

"I love that idea," she exclaims, rubbing her hands together as she sits on Dominic’s lap, kissing him on his cheek.

"It'll be nice to feel the growl of my engine as I push my car a final time," Ash says, nostalgia hitting him hard.

"When is this race?" she asks, curiosity piqued.

"Tonight at the underground. Cars, bikes, the whole nine," Five tells her, unable to stop himself from smiling.

"Well, what the fuck are we waiting for?" She winks, clearly ready to start our final race.

As the adrenaline builds in the air, we scramble to get ready. The energy in the room is electric, laughter bubbling over as we dig through our gear. I grab my helmet while Dominic is pacing nervously, but I can see glimpses of excitement in his eyes. He adjusts his gloves, channeling that anxious energy into focused determination.

Calista darts around, her playful spirit alive and thriving once again. “Just like the old days, huh? Remember those late-night races under the stars?” She asks, her voice filled with nostalgia.

“Let’s make this one count,” I reply, my heart swelling as we share a bittersweet moment. “Tonight’s about memories and new beginnings.”

As we pileinto the vehicles, the sun fully sets, leaving a canopy of twinkling stars overhead. Our crew gathers at the underground that has served as our racing hub. The familiar faces of friends and rivals light up as we arrive, laughter and banter filling the air. The spirit of camaraderie mixed with fierce competition ignites our excitement, echoing the days when freedom felt infinite. Five gives Calista a reassuring nod as we all prepare for the challenge ahead.

"You ready?" he asks her, his playful competitiveness shining through.

She grins back, determination wrapped around her like a cloak. “I was born ready. Let’s show them what we’ve got!”

We line up at the starting point, our engines revving in a harmonic growl. The energy is palpable, every heartbeat syncingwith the rhythmic purring of our machines. The countdown begins, and I can feel the anticipation rising like smoke into the night sky.

“Three… two… one… go!” The world around us blurs as we surge forward, tires screeching against the pavement and adrenaline surging through my veins.

The wind whips against my face, blending with the thrill and freedom swelling in my chest. I glance over at Calista; her laughter carried on the breeze, reminding me of every moment that led us here. For the first time in a long while, I feel alive, connected to something greater than our past—the present, shimmering with the promise of hope and the unknown.

As we navigate the twists and turns of the course, I let the rush guide me. The thrill of racing pushes back against the shadows looming over our past, letting the night become a canvas for our resilience. The cheers of our friends ring in my ears, igniting the flames of our resolve. Each corner we tackle brings us closer together, a symphony of engines and laughter filling the air, drowning out the voices that once taunted us.

With each passing lap, Calista’s infectious spirit ignites something deeper within me; it’s not just a race—it's our reclaiming of joy, our unbridled defiance against everything we’ve endured. In this moment, everything feels possible.

As we round the final curve, the finish line approaches; the fireflies of our past flicker, leaving nothing but the shimmering promise of a bright future. This race—our race—is not just utter chaos or competition; it’s a testament—a celebration of every scar and every triumph, as we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our lives.

When we cross that finish line, it’s not just the victory that fills me; it’s the sensation of freedom and the unquenchable hope that waits beyond the horizon. It’s the realization thattogether, we’ve created something beautiful from the ashes of despair.

And for the first time in a long while, I’m not just hopeful—I’m genuinely, unreservedly happy.

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