*BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* *BOOM* Katie was pouring out blood everywhere on the ground. Ava didn't know when, but a car pulled up, with Blake, Noah Oliver, and Ariel inside. Eric was standing closely behind Ava, gun in his hand. "Are you okay, princess?" "DAD, WHAT THE LITERALLY FRICK?" Ava pulls back from his embrace, it felt cold. "What? What happened?" "YOU FRICKIN KILLED YOUR COUSIN!" "She was about to kill you dear. It was for the best." "MAYBE IF YOU EVER LISTENED TO ME, YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD THAT I WAS CALMING HER DOWN! You never, ever, listen." Ava runs to Katie, kneeling down close to a puddle of blood. Katie looks up, and they share a small smile. Unable to talk, Katie grabs her hand and kisses it, whispering, "Long live the queen. Long live the Titans." Ava starts crying softly, using Katie's hand to cup her own cheek. "I love you, Katie. Please don't leave me." Katie drops her hand from Ava's grasp, smiling slightly. Blake rushes over, trying to shove Ava in the car. Blake was still mad at Katie and wanted to leave ASAP. "Blake stop! UGH! No, Katie!! Please!! KATIE!!" One last shove and Ava was in her seat. She kept fighting, kept struggling, but she gave up. Her tears were fogging up her eyes. They had already driven away, and in the last glimpse of Katie, she saw that her eyes were closed. Ava closes her eyes, refusing to notice her father's sympathetic stare.
They arrive home, and Noah Oliver is in bed. The family sits at the table, in silence, eating dinner. This was starting to become a tradition. "I'm sorry Ava. I didn't know that she wasn't going to kill you. I kinda just rushed in trying to save you." "That's the thing, dad. I don't need saving. I'm my own person. I can handle life by myself. You don't see me bawling out everywhere because I gave birth at my age. You don't see me stressed because I have to lead the Merkingdom and The Titans one day," Ava stands up, "You see me taking care of my kid, you see me starting to form things together so I can figure out what to do. I am an independent woman who deserves to be treated like one. Call me when you realize that." Ava leaves the table with her plate and a bottle for Noah Oliver. Eric glances at Ariel, and Ariel shows that she agrees with Ava. Blake shares the same face with Ariel. "Mom, Dad, why do you keep hiding things from Ava?" "She isn't ready. You know that. Why can't you understand?" "Oh, I'm sorry if I can't help LYING to my only sister. It's hard. But you guys need to tell her soon, or things will get ugly. Tell her the real reason you killed Katie." "Leave Blake. I don't you in my sight." Blake gets up, sharing a sad face with Ariel. "Don't be so hard on him. Your secret IS a very big one," Ariel notes. "Yes, I know that, be we entrusted him with it. He needs to be responsible and KEEP IT." "Are you sure that's the responsible decision?" Ariel leaves, leaving Eric in his thoughts.