Autumn peeked open her eyes, forgetting momentarily of the events that would need to take place that day. It felt like any other average morning.

That was until she realized she was in Tate’s room, sleeping with him in his bed. She remembered fighting to stay awake last night, but she was more than sure she had fallen asleep on the couch on the roof.

Autumn listened to Tate’s heartbeat, her head being to his chest. His chest rose and fell as he breathed; everything was so calm. She readjusted herself so her eyes were on Tate.

“Hey,” he greeted when he saw she was awake. His arm was resting on her side, pulling her closer now that she was awake.

“Good morning,” Autumn responded without a smile; she couldn’t do it. Faking a smile was just too difficult today.

The two fell silent, both of them enjoying this moment; both thinking it was the last.

“So . . . this is it?” Autumn addressed the elephant in the room. Tate didn’t respond. In fact, the two just continued to lay silently in bed. Neither of them knew what to say, both of them were in pain and they knew words couldn’t fix that agony.

Autumn studied the room, trying to memorize and systematize everything. She didn’t want to forget the plainness of his room, the smell of it, or anything else. She tried to remember the feeling of warmth and comfort Tate’s embrace brought her.

She spent what felt like hours that morning praying. She prayed for many things: more time with Tate, the council to change their minds, and for someone to forget she was supposed to leave.

But her prayers were ignored, Clarke eventually coming to collect them.

Autumn had brought nothing with her. Her old clothes were stained with blood and thrown out. The memory book given to her on her birthday had been taken away by David and Cade a few days ago and she had yet to get that back.

So, she had nothing to take away.

As they were about to leave the apartment, she stopped. Autumn stood in the doorway, taking mental pictures of his apartment. She remembered her birthday being celebrated in the kitchen, her and Tate spending many nights talking on the couch, and so much more.

All of those would be gone; just be distant memories.

Tate and Clarke watched her do so from the hallway, not saying a word about it. When Autumn was done, she simply turned to them and followed Clarke and a dead silent Tate down the hall, then down the stairs.

They went to the first level, which was underground. Clarke held open the door, refusing to make eye contact with either of them.

The room they stepped into was nearly the same as the parking garage at the mall. It was smaller, only containing a few cars. However, it was dimly lit. Autumn was surprised to find it filled with people.

“A few people wanted to say goodbye,” Clarke commented as she shut the door behind her. Autumn grinned slightly, the thought of all these people there for her heartwarming. There were about thirty people present.

Fifteen thanked her for everything she had done to help their friends, neighbors, and family. Seven had asked her for some quick and last minute advice on their powers. The rest of them were her friends; her family.

They all seemed to line up, each waiting for their turn to say goodbye.

Autumn went to Sibella first. The instant Autumn moved in front of her, she threw Autumn into a big bear hug.

“I’m going to miss you.” For the first time in a while, Sibella wasn’t happy or bouncing off the walls. Autumn could hear the sorrow in her tone.

“I’m going to miss you too,” Autumn whispered, pulling away.

“You saved my life. I was so miserable, I honestly don’t think I was going to make it very much longer. I owe you everything. I’m sorry I didn’t fight harder. ” Sibella sniffled.

“What do you mean?” Autumn questioned.

“I tried to convince my mom you weren’t a threat. She wouldn’t listen and I should have just kept-”

“Sibella, stop.” Sibella eyed her shoes before meeting Autumn’s gaze. “Your mom fought for me. They wouldn’t listen to her.” Sibella bobbed her head, but her expression said she didn’t believe her. “Thank you.” Sibella’s bottom lip started to quiver. “For everything.” Autumn decided to move on before Sibella began crying. She knew if she did, Autumn would do the same.

Next, she went to Eric.

“Wow this is awkward,” Eric chucked, doing his signature move (rubbing the back of his neck with his hand).

“Yeah,” Autumn nodded, trying to keep back the tears.

“Thank you . . . for everything. I didn’t see the point in living my life anymore. I disappeared, just sat in bed all day. I just . . . existed.”

“I should be the one thanking you. You were there for me when I needed someone and you saved both mine and Cade’s life. I’ll never be able to repay you for that.”

“You already have Autumn. You changed my life. I found a reason to get up in the morning,” Eric paused to glance at Sibella. Autumn followed his gaze, Sibella hugging a woman in the sea of strangers, eyes red.

“Take care of her for me,” Autumn lifted the corner of her lip, her eyes becoming glossy. Eric hugged Autumn quickly before heading to comfort Sibella.

Next she went to Clara.

“Hey there,” Clara grinned. “I know you want to get to the rest of your friends, I won’t take up anymore of your time. I just needed to say thank you. I know how much trouble I’ve caused you. I am sorry for that.” Autumn had to lean over to hug Clara because she was so short.

“I’m so happy I met you. Don’t forget everything I taught you about lowering your heart rate.” They separated.

“Your so caring . . . don’t lose that.”

Next was Clarke. At first, Autumn wasn’t sure what to say. Clarke hated her the first month or so she was there. Autumn wondered if Clarke ever came around to the idea of Autumn.

“Thank you for uhm-” Autumn stopped, startled, when Clarke engulfed Autumn in a tight hug. Autumn was taken aback, her hands just hovering over Clarke’s back. Autumn glanced at David and Cade, whom were looking at her shocked. Cade sent her a thumbs up, David a shocked expression.

Autumn hugged her back.

“Thank you for saving my brother,” Clarke said while breaking the hug.

“Take care of him for me,” Autumn begged.

“Of course,” Clarke smiled, a wide genuine smile.

“Thank you . . . for everything you’ve done for me,” Autumn said; moving on.

Next was Ezra, His eyes were already puffy.

“Never thought I’d have to say goodbye to you,” Ezra began, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“You were one of the first people I trusted, one of the first people who accepted me. You have no idea how much that meant to me.” Autumn’s voice squeaked, a tear managing to slip from her eyes and run down her flushed cheeks.

“You changed everyone around here, Autumn. You’ll leave an impact that’ll last a lifetime.” Ezra stepped forward, throwing her into a hug. He rested his chin against the top of her head, a few tears strolling down his face.

“I left the book in Cade’s office,” Autumn whispered. Ezra let go of her and observed everyone, making sure no one heard her.

“I’ll get it.” Autumn curled in her bottom lip, fighting more tears.

“Elaine would be so proud of her dad,” Ezra lost it. Hearing that made him smile because of the compliment, but sob. Ezra thanked her again before exiting the garage.

Next was Jade and David.

“I’m going to miss having someone to make fun of Cade with,” Jade said. Autumn laughed, Jade wrapping her arms around Autumn. “Take care of yourself.”

“God, I’m going to miss the crap out of you. You’ve been a pleasant surprise,” David began as soon as Jade released Autumn. “I . . . I never thought you’d turn out to be so awesome, honestly.”

“Thank you guys for having my back,” Autumn and David embraced each other.

“Before I forget,” David handed Autumn the photo album the moment they broke apart. “Just had to add in the picture.” Autumn eyed the picture that could be seen on the outside cover. It was the one they had taken on her birthday. Autumn smiled the widest smile she ever had, the picture making her so happy.

“Thank you,” Autumn looked to them.

“Stay safe out there,” David smiled as Jade began to cry. Autumn moved on before it was too late, David comforting her.

She reached her last person, her best friend; Cade.

“Hey.” She could barely say the words, the lump in her throat making it near impossible. Cade’s eyes were on the ground. He wiped his cheeks before daring to make eye contact.

“I uh . . . have some things for you. Here,” he handed her a cell phone. “I’ve been working on this for a while, just in case. Only Tate and I can call this number, and it’s untraceable. Also, I have here the details for the job I got you. You start Monday. I also have a list of all the things you, your mother, and your friends have talked about while you were here.” Autumn sent him a confused look. “I’ve been emailing and texting them. You also went to your mother’s house for a weekend and on a cruise with your friend Emily . . . Let’s just say I owe Crash a ton of favors.”

Autumn giggled, her vision blurry.

“Thank you . . . Cade uhm . . .” Autumn paused to take a deep breath. “You were the first person who gave me a chance. Th-the first friend I had here. You’ve helped me with so much and . . . I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” Autumn had tried to contain herself.

Her goal was not to cry in front of her friends. But Cade was more than that. He was like her brother. She couldn’t help herself; she lost it. Tears streamed from her eyes and down her cheeks. Cade moved forward to comfort her, Autumn burying her face into his chest.

“I don’t want to go,” she wailed.

“I know,” Cade pulled her closer.

“Autumn, it’s time to go,” Clarke spoke softly.

“I love you.” Autumn stepped backwards, the sight of Cade shedding tears heart breaking. Cade handed over everything he had for her, using the back of his hand to clear the drying tears away.

“I love you too,” Autumn half-smiled. She walked to the car, Tate holding open the passenger door. She set her stuff on the ground and turned back to her friends. Cade, Clarke, David and Jade all stood together, Jade waving goodbye.

Autumn watched them all trudge away. More warm tears raced down her cheeks. And that’s where things got weird.

“Don’t hate me,” Tate said. Before Autumn could figure out what he was talking about, her neck began to ache. It felt as if someone had pinched her. Her world started to spin instantly.

Her vision blurred. She felt immediate pressure, all the blood rushing to her face. She felt as if all the energy in her body had been sucked out, and now she was the remains of what she used to be.

Before Autumn knew it, she was falling backwards. She could tell Tate had caught her. However, she couldn’t hear anything. She couldn’t feel his arms against her. Everything started to slip away, and before she could cry for help she was surrounded by darkness.