Night had already cast its shadow over the world when Shauwn returned home. It wasn't truly his house, as he was living with Wallace, who had kindly offered to take him in—also sparing him from being late to work.
Fortunately, it didn't bother him. As he often said, the house was spacious enough—not extravagant like celebrity homes, but sufficient for two people.
Shauwn had the keys, so he decided not to disturb his employer and opened the door. No sooner had he entered than the sound of the television echoed through the hallway. It was a theme song, from a show that aired every evening at the same time, one that Wallace enjoyed watching.
He headed toward the living room, and the old man, having heard the lock turn, already knew Shauwn had arrived. It was rare for him to be out so late, and he silently thought to thank Claire for that.
"So, how was your day?"
"Fine. I got to see Lily and had a little chat," he replied, moving closer and settling into a chair beside him.
"And Claire?" Wallace teased.
"I don't want to talk about it, please." The memories of Lily and Claire's quarrels resurfaced, unpleasant and tense, making his fingers instinctively massage his temples. "I told you we'd discuss things tonight, didn't I?"
On the way home, Shauwn had spent a lot of time reflecting on the supposed choice he had to make and all the insights shared by the mother and her clairvoyant daughter. If he relied solely on logic and facts, nothing that had happened made sense. Yet the world itself was not governed purely by reason; even here, some phenomena remained unexplained and beyond scientific understanding. That was why he had to consider them when making a choice—even if it meant stepping into the unknown.
"Hmmm," Wallace murmured, stroking his beard in thought.
"So… where do we start?"
"Why do you reject Claire's advances? You know it doesn't bother me, right? And I'm sure she'd want to see you happy." His expression darkened slightly, tinged with nostalgia.
"I know, but I just can't. I don't want to hurt those around me. Happiness may not be meant for me, because sooner or later, whenever I allow myself to embrace it, everything collapses, leaving only pain and suffering."
"Stop clinging to the past. Shauwn, I knew you as you were before. You are not the same now. You've changed. You've done everything to become the best version of yourself—you deserve happiness."
"I'm sorry, but it's impossible. No matter how I look at it, the past shaped me into who I am today. I must reference it so that I never repeat my mistakes." He slumped into the chair, staring at the ceiling. "My hands are stained with blood. No matter what I do, I can't even sleep properly. I feel as if the souls of those who died by my hands haunt me, seeking vengeance… It's karma, Wallace."
Wallace looked at him with compassion and placed a hand on his back.
"My boy…"
"I've already faced the truth. It is what it is."
"And yet, I still see it."
"What are you talking about…"
"That glimmer in your eyes. No matter how faint, that spark of hope—you say one thing, but your true thoughts are hidden. Deep down, you long for something else. Your life isn't here with me or with us, and that's why you need to go to that institute."
He saw it, that tiny spark in his eyes—the very first words she had said to him, words that had touched him. Now Wallace was repeating them.
The question of returning to university had entered the conversation.
"I knew you'd get to that."
"What do you have to lose, tell me? I saw it when you spoke to him—your desire to go."
"But it's impossible, okay? I have a life here, I'm content, and you're here."
"What life? Tell me. Content? Don't lie. How can someone who never goes out, who has almost no friends, be content? And I refuse to let you use me as an argument. Your stay here was never permanent—I've always known you'd leave if given the chance. Worried about work? I'll find someone to replace you. Besides, I was already thinking of retiring…"
"Wallace…"
"Please, Sirius, let me speak. You owe me nothing, do you understand? As I said, I always knew that sooner or later, you'd leave. Your place isn't here in Silver Creek. A new life awaits you there, far from everything."
That had been the reason he came to Silver Creek in the first place, yet the supervisor had still found him. And if he had managed it, others could as well. Shauwn remembered the saying: the best hiding place is often in plain sight. Still, he had to resign himself—he was still attached to this place.
"I can't leave you. If things ended up this way, it's my fault. Everything is my fault, her death too…"
"Enough!" Wallace growled, disturbed. "I won't let you tarnish her memory. It's not your fault. She was always like that—reckless and ready to do anything to protect those she loved, even at the cost of her life."
"That's true…"
"So?"
Wallace took out the card the supervisor had left earlier and placed it in Shauwn's hand.
A second chance…
"I took the liberty of calling them. They offer very interesting modules—it's definitely better than staying here reading, isn't it?" Wallace confirmed with a smile.
The gesture moved Shauwn more than he let on. Wallace handed him the phone so he could contact the numbers on the card.
"Hello? This is Shauwn ARKYNAS… yes, I've changed my mind… okay, all right."
After the call, Wallace returned the phone, and Shauwn informed him of his departure.
"I need to be at the bus stop in an hour."
"So, it's confirmed? You're leaving?"
"Yes, but first I'll visit her grave. Could you inform my older sister for me? She shouldn't worry too much."
"All right, I'll do it. Go get ready."
He packed the few belongings he owned into his backpack, took a cold shower, and was now ready.
He wore nothing special—a pair of shorts, a t-shirt, and a hoodie.
Wallace waited at the door. The two men didn't speak, yet their eyes said it all. They embraced, and Shauwn reciprocated before opening the door and stepping out, backpack on and hands in his hoodie.
Wallace was now alone in that house, devoid of Shauwn—bleak and tasteless. Yet he felt content because the boy was finally going to live his life, and he had already reached the end of his own chapter.