74. The final of the Game

August woke up in his city, in an old house, in his room. This was not what he expected, but still, he came back.

--- Tell me, did you do this on purpose ? - August looked at the one who had kidnapped him, forced him to play games and almost killed him.

--- No, you think so. - she shrugged calmly, as if it wasn't her problem, and looked away from him.

--- I don't care, I'll get home anyway. - August opened the window and climbed out into the street. This city, there are so many memories here.

--- Don't be so mean - she jumped out after him and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind - I thought we were having a good time

--- Are you serious ? - he pushed her away and looked at her with an angry look - You almost killed me !

--- You started it first !

--- You kidnapped me !

--- Well, i can't argue with that.

--- And you ! Made me play her stupid games !

--- They're not stupid ! And you liked it, didn't you ?

--- Fuck off ! - he waved his hand at her and went.

--- Hey ! - she caught up with him and they walked hand in hand

This city..... is a place where August certainly would not want to return. A place associated with the horror, fear and pain of a small, lonely boy. August hated this place, and those who live here.

--- Why did you bring me here ? - August walked quickly through the streets to the exit of the city.

--- You said it yourself, to your house, it's not my problem if you don't know how to make wishes.

--- You know perfectly well what connects me with this city and how much I hate it.

--- I know, but I was wondering what would happen if you were here.

--- I'm leaving, that's your answer.

--- Boo, that's not interesting.

--- Not everything in the world revolves around you. - while they were talking, they were passing by the old August school. A place of humiliation.

--- Oh! Let's go in ! Let's say hello !

--- No. Have you forgotten what we did when we left here ?

--- Oh, yes. Exactly. I forgot that we started a fire here. But it was fun ! All those screams and the horror on their faces ! - she hugged herself and started giggling strangely

--- Stop it. Don't say we burned everyone here.

--- Oh, that's what upsets me.

They passed by the school and continued walking. More precisely, August was walking and Straza hung on his shoulders and levitated.

--- Oh, do you remember the first time we kicked that freak's ass ?

--- Which one of them ?

--- I don't remember anymore, I think you went to one school.

--- You seem to have forgotten, everyone at that school was a jerk.

Soon, August left the city with a calm soul and headed home. It will be a long way.

--- I don't understand why we should go back to them ?

--- Not for us, but for me. They're my family.

--- Oh, come on. - oa circled around him and floated in front - We never had a family, we had each other

--- Now I have a family. The family that you tried to kill while in my body.

--- Are you going to mention this to me for the rest of your life ?

--- Yes. And since now I'm like an immortal, then eternity.

They spent some time in silence.

--- I didn't try to kill him. I wanted to check them out.

--- Stop lying to me. I could feel your emotions, and you were clearly angry.

--- Okay ! What did you want from me ! They took you away from me ! - they stopped levitating and stood in front of August

--- Taken away ? I didn't even know you existed ! I found out about it at the very last moment ! And I'm not some kind of thing to be shared.

--- I am! It was I who was with you from the very moment of your birth ! I felt your pain ! Your anger ! Hate ! Fear !

--- Well, thank you !

--- I treated you ! Without me, you would have died long ago ! I gave you the power ! Me, not them !

--- And you also gave me a lot of unanswered questions ! I didn't know who I was all my life ! Who am I ! You could have at least hinted !

--- And what did I do according to you ! Those fanatics, remember ! With the help of them, I gave you a hint !

--- And you couldn't talk to me yourself !?

--- You should have found out for yourself. I gave you your freedom.

--- Should I ? Freedom ? I needed answers ! It's because of you that I've spent many nights just thinking, who am I? And you want me to thank you for that ?!

There was silence. They were both short of breath, they could finally find out everything. Here and now, and they were not going to miss this opportunity.

--- They were the ones who accepted me for who I am. I was August to them, and they were and will be everything to me.

--- They will betray you, as others have betrayed you. Haven't you forgotten. Forgot, how many times you were betrayed.

--- No. This will never be forgotten.

--- Then...

--- They will never do that. We are a family.

--- Our last "family", said the same thing.

--- They are different. - Augustus came up to her and put his hand on her shoulder - They wouldn't dare do that.

--- Where are the guarantees, that they will not do this ?

---- ....You know what, let's make a bet, a bet for life.

--- What is the point ?

--- You will merge with me again. I will not absorb you, you will be in my mind. You'll be watching. I'll bet they'll never betray me. If I lose, I will be completely yours. This is a bet that is long for a lifetime. Do you agree ? - he moved away from her and held out his hand.

Straza looked at his hand. She was unsure, she didn't know what would happen in the future. But if she agrees, if she merges with him again, becomes one person, she will be able to observe and protect him.

--- I accept your bet. Let's become one again. - she shook his hand and was swallowed up by the light.

Straza was slowly merging with August. She's with him again. I'm ready to defend him again. She will be watching, from the corner of his mind she will be watching. And at the right moment, she will come out and vent her anger on his enemies.

--- Thank you for believing me. It means a lot to me. - he looked at his hand and clenched it into a fist.

--- Well, it's time to go home.

Augustus continued on his way home. He's coming home.