Sebastian's POV
Sam, Abigail, and I stood at the entrance to Hannah's farm, waiting for her to come out so we could head to the Spirit's Eve Festival. Personally, I wasn't sure she was ready—but I knew how much she used to love this night. And I also knew this could be a step forward, especially for her and Abigail. Their friendship needed mending. Frankly, they both needed it.
"These torches were a good call," Sam said, nodding toward the new braziers that flanked the entrance. Their fire cast a warm, flickering light across the path.
"I can't believe you didn't even try to dress up," Abigail sighed, eyeing me.
"You can't believe that?" I raised an eyebrow. She was in a rare dress, Sam had gone halfway with a suit jacket and jeans, and I was wearing my usual: black hoodie, jeans, boots. Apparently that was some kind of fashion crime.
"At least I know Hannah won't be dressed up either," I said. She'd made one thing very clear: no costumes.
Then we heard the sound of footsteps on gravel.
I turned—and stopped.
It was Hannah.
And she had definitely dressed up.
My breath caught a little. She wore black flats and a tight black dress that hugged her in all the ways I remembered. Even after the weight loss, her curves still wound like a backroad. She'd thrown on a fluffy white cardigan, her straightened hair falling sleek and long, past her hips.
"...I stand corrected," I muttered.
She walked up, eyeliner precise, makeup subtle—but there. Her eyes sparkled under the firelight.
"Is there something on my face?" she asked, touching her cheek.
"No," I said, voice low. "You look... amazing."
She smiled—and for a second, I saw her again. The her from before. The light hadn't gone out completely.
"You look so good!" Abigail squealed, stepping in to hug her. "Okay, let's go before zombies start crawling out of the woods."
"Is that a thing?" Sam asked, glancing around.
"I brought a knife," Hannah said casually.
I smirked.
"This is why we're outcasts," Sam declared. "Brood. Broodette. Hot Topic mannequin. And the super cool rockstar."
"Wait—am I the rockstar?" Hannah asked, deadpan.
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Sam winked.
We all laughed. I reached for Hannah's hand and she didn't pull away. That felt like a victory. As we walked toward town, all I could hope was that the monster cage wouldn't set something off in her.
But hey—at least she brought a knife.
Pelican Town was decked out, as always—hay bales, jack-o-lanterns, eerie music, and Pierre hawking overpriced candy from his stall. The monster cage stood tall in the center, bones rattling inside. I glanced at Hannah. She stared right at it, expression unreadable.
Not scared.
Just... focused. Like she still had unfinished business.
"Don't worry about those, Hannah," Sam joked, nudging her.
"I'm not," she replied flatly—and let go of my hand.
She walked straight up to the cage.
Abigail gave me a look. I shrugged and followed her.
Hannah stood close, eye to eye with the skeletons, like they were old acquaintances. I wondered if she was silently sizing them up or daring them to move.
"How are you tonight, Hannah?" came a gruff voice.
Marlon. I hadn't seen him much, but I recognized him—Adventurer's Guild leader. Her... boss? Handler? I wasn't sure.
"I'm good. Just looking at my friends," Hannah replied, eyes still fixed on the cage. "You should really put something else in here. Skeletons aren't scary."
Marlon chuckled. "I doubt the townspeople would handle flying serpents very well."
Hannah shivered. I gently placed a hand on her lower back. She turned her gaze to me, and that was enough. She was back in the moment.
I shot Marlon a look—more reflex than reason. Maybe I blamed him for how much she had to endure, even though I knew it was her choice too.
"What should we do first?" Abigail asked brightly. "Haunted maze?"
"Can we chill first?" Sam groaned. "I'm terrified already."
"Fine—if you buy me one of those corn dogs I like," Abigail grinned.
Sam rolled his eyes.
"Hey, guys," Alex called, approaching with Haley on his arm.
Hannah's smile flickered. "Hey, Alex."
He pulled her into a hug. She hesitated, but hugged him back.
"Dang, farm girl—you've lost some weight. Thought you were gonna fall right through me," Alex joked.
She laughed. It sounded real. That's all that mattered.
"You look the same to me," Haley chimed in. I rolled my eyes.
I leaned toward Alex. "Nice to see you brought your emotional support animal out tonight. You didn't have another outfit for it?"
Haley scoffed. "Sebastian, please. The only reason you're close enough to comment is because Alex likes you for some reason."
"What a shame," I muttered.
"Okay, chill," Sam said, stepping in like a referee.
"How've you been?" Hannah asked Alex.
He rubbed the back of his neck. Classic move—probably trying to flex. "Been reading a lot lately."
"Wow," Hannah deadpanned.
"What about you?"
"Just hibernating. Hoping the walls won't start talking back."
I laughed. So did Alex.
"If they do," he said, "send them my way. My walls are dying for conversation."
She laughed again. It was starting to feel like maybe—maybe—this wasn't too much for her. Alex at the end of the day was always a good friend of hers. He makes her laugh, and that doesn't make me jealous, because it is good to hear her laugh, because she hasn't laughed in so long.
"Good evening, kids," came Mayor Lewis's voice, strolling up with Marnie. There were always rumors, but I didn't care enough to follow them.
"Mayor, have you considered my business proposal?" Sam asked, beer in hand.
Lewis frowned. "What proposal?"
"The skatepark. Pelican Town needs one."
"The answer is no."
"But your honor—"
"I'm not a judge, Sam."
"Your majesty?" Sam tried.
We all burst out laughing.
Lewis sighed. "Anyway, it's good to see you, Hannah. We've missed your face around here."
I slipped my arm around her shoulders, pulling her a little closer.
"She's been around," I smirked. "Just not for all of you."
She laughed and nudged me. Her cheeks flushed pink for the first time in forever.
"Alright, maze time," Abigail announced.
"I have no more excuses," Sam groaned. "Hannah, just stab me. Put me out of my misery."
She grinned—and honestly, I couldn't remember the last time she looked that alive.
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