The Guardian's Return by Old Pumpkin

George said, "I know what happened. I also feel terrible for Jeremy's loss, but I know you never wanted it to happen.

"He sacrificed himself for Hill City, and I'm sure he wouldn't want to see you like that-broken and devastated. If you feel guilty about it, the least you can do is keep this city safe. Besides..."

George then moved to the side, allowing Stephen to look at Rachel, Nolan, Austin, the doctors, and the nurses.

"You have them. These people care about you. You're never alone."

As soon as his words settled in, Simon walked in.

Stephen started weeping when he saw the people around him.

"You're up?" Simon said excitedly, "I have good news for you. I've got a lot of letters for you, and one of them is from Snow."

Stephen's eyes widened. "Where is it?"

George shifted uncomfortably, while the light in Rachel's eyes dimmed. She could not understand why she, coming from a well-respected and prominent background, was not enough for Stephen. Why was Snow, just an ordinary woman, so special?

several letters. These were prepared in advance after the phone call from Nolan, knowing that it was Austin's idea. Originally, they had only planned to show him one letter, but Simon took a

saw the writing on the letter, his body

asked, "Where

sure she's watching you from somewhere. And if you don't pick

It was like life had been breathed

let out a quiet sigh of relief. It had been a gamble, using so many little lies to keep Stephen from falling apart, but in the

he noticed Rachel's face had turned paled, and

face faded. Compared to

the problem was not over. He might have cured Stephen, but the process exacerbated Rachel's condition. As a psychologist, he believed he

was back, and everyone

for food to be brought over for

and Stephen then

been holding up

on his face. "It's okay. I

so sorry for everything that happened," Stephen

You did your