Epilogue — Home

A gentle breeze blew through Marnie's strawberry-blonde curls. It was calming. Relaxing.

He could feel soft grass beneath his spread-eagle body, and a gentle mist tickled his skin. Something similar to a flower petal landed gracefully on his cheek, coaxing his blue eyes to flutter open and take in the daylit sky above him, full of stars.

“Welcome back, little rabbit.”

Filled with excitement, Marnie shot up to a sitting position. Sitting beside him was none other than Chez, smiling gently as his tail swished against the backdrop of periwinkle and pink trees.

“Shay… Shay, it's really you!” Marnie threw his arms around the creature in a tight hug, receiving a gentle pat and rub on the back in return.

“That it is,” Chez chuckled, pulling away so he could stand. “I'm proud of you, Marnie. You made it.”

A smile spread across Marnie's freckled face. It was the happiest he'd felt in the longest time. No pain, no heavy burdens. Just Chez's warm hand offering to help him up.

Marnie accepted, standing slowly and absorbing the feeling of the Other Side around him. Up ahead, he caught a glimpse of two familiar figures waiting for him on a small hill at the horizon. A serene man waved gently, and a happy girl jumped up and down with delight, both beckoning him to come meet them.

“We're truly happy you're here, Marnie,” Chez admitted, squeezing the daydreamer's hand. “Welcome home.”