Blip. Blip.

Edna awoke to the comforting beep of a heart monitor. Ethan. She stirred. “Ethan,” she murmured through her oxygen mask.

Harry and Kyle were by her side, one at each side of the bed. Her husband's eyes were brimmed with tears and both looked exhausted.

“Ethan's okay. He's on crutches and had a few broken ribs, but he's alright.” Kyle grinned and clutched her hand. Edna flopped her head back onto the pillow, too exhausted to really respond and looked towards the evening sun.

Daniel stood by the window, his arms no longer wrapped about him like he usually was, watching the scene with a poignant look on his face.

Thomas had dealt with most of the paperwork, which was probably the nicest thing he'd ever offered in the entire time Edna had known him. He had also been there to apprehend the almost incoherent Max as he had clutched his head in what could only be described as a mental breakdown.

It turned out Daniel's decaying, rotten body was discovered only a few feet from the clearing, half buried and somewhat eaten by wild animals. Two other boys from other school that had gone missing a few months prior were also found, and the evidence was pretty damning. Lowell had been arrested and was currently awaiting his trial in the coming months. The only thing Edna wanted to do was tell Daniel's mother about what had happened, but knew that wasn't possible in her state. She looked at Daniel as he sat by her bed that night, a gentle smile on his face.

“They're going to tell your mom in the morning, once the DNA tests are done. Unfortunately your body is in not that great of a state when it was found.”

“So I heard,” he said, chuckling. Edna almost balked. Daniel laughing? As if hearing her thoughts, he laughed again. “I know what you're thinking. And I can't explain it. Like a deep peace is washing over me. Maybe it's something to do with what I know is happening tomorrow.” He looked out of the window at the rising moon.

“You'll be at peace, I hope. I've no idea what happens next.”

Daniel looked back. “That's okay. I don't really think it matters. Once mom knows what happened to me, I think that's all that matters.” He smiled once again, Edna had never seen him so happy. “I...I think I'm going to go be with my mom. I'll see you around, Edna.”

Edna knew she'd never see him again, but that didn't matter. She nodded as Daniel disappeared from her view forever. He glanced at her phone one more time, chuckling at Ethan's somewhat questionable message about hospital food, and shut her eyes to sleep.

Another case closed.