original ending of One of the Good Ones

[original ending as posted Dec 4, 2022. Replaced on Oct 21, 2024]

“Wait.” I took several low breaths to steady myself. “I don’t know. I think… I think maybe I should just stay like this.”

My father frowned at that. Wren’s eyes clouded with uncertainty.

“What’s wrong with him?” My father asked.

“There’s a lot wrong,” I said, cutting off the healer. Then I sp…