We are back on the deck of Bonny’s Revenge.
Joy and Justin are both clearly shaken by their conversation with the First Prisoner or The Guardian Spirit, or whoever he really is.
Justin stares at the horizon from behind the wheel, as he takes the ship out. Joy stands by his side, staring forward as well.
After a couple of minutes, as we fly past the clouds and into outer space, Joy hugs Justin. Justin stops the ship in mid-space and hugs her back.
“Red is not dead,” Joy says.
“No, she’s not.” He hugs her and doesn’t let go.
“She’s not a creature of the Dream.”
“She’s not. My subconscious will bring her back when it’s ready. She is not dead!”
“He doesn’t decide how long I live!”
Justin shakes his head as he hugs her . “You’re going to live a long, long life!”
“No one tells me who I am!” Joy declares from inside the hug. “Not even you!”
Justin laughs. “I know that! Only you decide!”
Suddenly, with a very soft ‘boom’ sound, Charlie appears next to the door to Joy’s cabin.
Joy separates and yells to Charlie. “We’re going on adventure to a faraway star!”
“Cool!” Charlie runs up and joins them.
Amahle’s walking stick touches my shoe. She turns her head to me and whispers. “That Guardian does not come from Justin’s dream.”
“I got that,” I whisper to her.
I sigh. We’re going to let it go. For now.
—Told by Grampa Walt