The Last Story Sections
Demolition
Late that night, long after the arrests had been made, there was a disturbance at the church in question.
Several rocks were thrown through windows. That got no reaction, no one seemed to be inside.
So, the one hurling the rocks crawled in through a smashed window, carefully, to avoid injury or damage to their clothes.
First, the upstairs part was trashed. Room after room suffered kicks to walls, knocking holes in them, overturned, torn up, and tossed furniture.
All papers had been removed as evidence earlier, so, drawers were thrown open and tossed around.
When the intruder was through with the upper part of the church, the main level and sanctuary were next.
Chairs were subjected to the blind rage, as were music stands, the altar was violently scratched up and defaced.
The organ and piano were pushed off the stage, landing with the most frightful crashing.
And the destruction continued on and on. Unlit candles were hurled. Oddly enough, the vandal could've lit them but chose not to.
Offering plates were thrown, communion cups, smashed.
Nothing was spared...not furniture, nor paintings, nor stained glass windows.
The basement level suffered similarly. The dishes from the kitchen area caused a particularly dangerous set of crashes and mess, there was glass all over the place.
Then, the intrudor, still enraged as ever, went back to destroy things more thoroughly.
When everything was a total mess on the inside, it was time to take down the whole thing altogether.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Luna stared out the window as they approached the downhill slope on the Mountainview side from Westwind Meadows. She had gotten a call from Darren that he had wanted to come back to the area now that the church leaders had been captured.
Word had travelled fast, and while the call had come to the Whoots house while Luna had been asleep, Serena had contacted Rocket to pick him up and swing by the house when Luna was awake.
The girls had brought some extra sedatives in case Darren couldn't handle the trip home. So far he had been quiet the entire trip, barely moving or speaking. That was to be expected.
They had turned on the heat in the car against the evening chill. Rocket and Luna were also silent some of the time except when Rocket's cell phone went off and Luna answered it for her. It was the hospital, the spa, her boyfriend or her brother. Secretly Luna was grateful the nurse wasn't answering the phone herself.
If it was William on the phone, she might be tempted to kid with him and it wasn't exactly a light mood in the car at the moment.
When they got off the highway and were getting close, Darren began to tremble. They stopped for a moment so Luna could go in the back and keep him company and monitor his reactions.
He tried to stay calm, but broke out in a sweat.
When they turned onto the street the church was on, he struggled for all he was worth to stay calm.
Rocket parked a block away and looked back at them. "How're you doing?"
Luna looked at Darren.
He nodded tightly, chewing his lower lip until it bled. He heaved a shaky sigh. "Hanging in there."
The herbalist touched his shoulder, sympathetic for his plight. "We can turn back any time you want. This has been a big step so far."
"Thanks, but, I have to do this. Or I'll never stop being afraid. I've got to stop these inner demons and maybe this will."
"All right," Luna agreed. "Let's get out and walk the rest of the way, shall we?"
They agreed.
The three walked towards the church, Darren in front.
As they came nearer, they could just make out that the church seemed to be in a state of disrepair. Then someone came out and ran a little way from the building, stopped, and turned to face it.
In another moment, the building began to shake and crack, threatening to crumble.
Then, slowly, it came in on itself while the lone figure stood staring intently at it.
"Get back!" yelled Rocket, grabbing Darren and pulling him out of the way as plaster and stained glass came down. Luna stared in fascinated horror at the destruction.
Darren was too numb with shock to protest being yanked back. He too couldn't take his eyes off the sight.
"My God...the women never said the building was ready to come down!" the nurse said in astonishment.
The roof crumpled in section by section, then part of a wall, than another section of wall, until it was all down, reduced to a huge pile of rubble and debris. There was no sign of smoke or fire, nothing was burning. Somehow, the building had just crumbled.
The lone person who had watched and caused all the destruction now turned and walked away from it, tears streaming down her face. The rage now spent, tiredness was finally beginning to take over. Just a little calming down and rest somewhere and then, back home before daybreak.
But something startled her. A sound - not of debris falling, but of footsteps!
NT looked around, trying to determine where they were coming from or if she'd just imagined it. And that's when she saw the three onlookers! Her eyes widened at the sight of them.
They saw and recognized her too. "NT!" Rocket and Luna said in unison.
She turned and retreated. Running into anybody right here, right now, was the last thing she expected or wanted, let alone getting recognized.
Luna grabbed Rocket and bolted back the other way, towards the car.
They tried to grab Darren, but he stood rock-still, still shocked. Giving up, Luna decided it was better to get out of the way of NT and call Pippi first.
Trembling, Rocket pulled out her cellphone and frantically dialed Pippi.
Meanwhile Darren called out NT's name. Unsure whether she would stop, he fell to his knees before the now-gone church and began to sob.
NT, now sobbing also, only kept running away, more than a little disconcerted at having been recognized and seeing their fright.
"Hello?" Pippi answered groggily.
"Pippi!" the nurse said breathlessly into the phone. "We got a problem!"
She looked back. "She's not following," Luna told her. "I think she's done here."
"What's wrong, Rocket?" Pippi asked, straightening up out of bed.
"My Goddess," Luna gasped in the background. "I can't frigging believe that!"
"We're at the church, Pippi," Rocket said, trying to catch her breath.
"Oh, no, please don't tell me, they didn't get everyone?"
"No, no," the nurse said, shaking her head, despite the fact Pippi couldn't see. "it's not that... Darren wanted to come and see for himself that it was over," she continued.
"And?"
"The church, Pippi," Luna said into the phone when Rocket couldn't catch her breath back in time. "it's been destroyed."
"WHAT!?" Pippi exclaimed.
"Pippi...Pippi...we ran into - " gads this was hard for Rocket to say. "NT. She was coming OUT of the church." She looked at Luna. "we think she might have...well...destroyed it!"
"Oh - good - lord!" Pippi gasped. Not surprised at the motivation and the rage, that was evident from the beginning. What shocked Pippi was that NT did something so drastic.
Getting her adrenalin back under control, Luna straightened. "I'm going back for Darren."
She ran back to him.
"I'll come down to get her. I was afraid she might explode one of these days, but not this much. Just one thing - is she still there with you, or did she see you and run away? she doesn't like people seeing her doing anything, right or wrong and it might take some sneaking on my part. I hope Darren is all right, this must've been very frightening for him, even if that church was all bad memories."
"You're right...she ran as soon as she saw us," Rocket replied. "I gotta tell you, Pippi, I don't think we exactly want to to be around her right now, either - not if she's THAT unstable. I'm going to go check on Luna and Darren. We'll see you when you get here."
"Yes, and thank you." Pippi hung up.
Quickly, she got herself ready to go, and stole out of the house.
She got into her car and drove down to the church in Mountainview as quickly as possible, without breaking the speed limits or running red lights.
Luna came upon the destroyed church and a lone figure in front of it crying on the pavement. It tightened her throat to see him.
Kneeling down, she touched his back lightly. "Darren?" she asked softly.
"It's really over." he whispered. "But...I never thought - they were right, I shouldn't have twitted that girl about being Christian. Pippi was right, I had no idea she was so unstable. But it's over. That church is dead. They really can't...hurt me in there - or anywhere now."
Luna glanced up when Rocket came quietly upon them, but she didn't speak to her. She looked back to Darren. "That's right," she told him gently. "and thanks to you they can't hurt anyone else now, either."
"That's what Misery said. She said I could help others and...Now - it's really true." He shed more tears.
Rocket handed Luna her handkerchief and the herbalist dabbed at his face. "Yes...yes," was all she said to him.
"I always secretly wished some disgruntled member or other would do something to that place, wouldn't have been surprised if they had...But NT - that blows my mind." he said once he had taken a moment to compose himself some. "Her reaction was really extreme right from the beginning. But, wow."
"Yeah...wow..." Rocket echoed, looking around distractedly. There was no telling what NT might do to them if she came back. She looked up worriedly at Luna. The MoonDaughter was thinking along the same lines.
Not wanting to stay out there, Luna spoke up. "Darren...it's cold, let's get back to the van. We don't have to leave if you don't want to, but we can wait for Pippi there."
"You two go ahead." he said, "I'll keep a look out for Pippi here. She'll probably look here first."
That didn't set well with the others. Rocket shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea, Darren. She's very upset and unstable right now..."
"She's also quite powerful," Luna agreed. "we don't know what she'll do in the state she is in."
Inwardly, Luna thought this idea hilarious. There was a time when everyone thought the same thing of her during the Whoticore scare. It felt weird saying it about someone else.
"Yeah, powerful is right," Darren agreed, "I had no idea about that. But I don't think she'd do anything to us, unless we were 'sadists'" said Darren, "Not from what little I've heard, anyway. Her family don't seem like they would abuse her but maybe somebody else has. She made it very clear she hated sadistic people. I thought she was just over-reacting at the Whobilation when I opened my big mouth but....If she hurt us now, she'd be a hypocrite and I just don't see that. We could go in the van if you want, but make sure Pippi sees us."
He stood and they walked slowly back to the van.
NT had run some distance away, and finally found a place to hide and catch her breath. She was upset that anybody, and Darren, Luna, and Rocket of all people had shown up. If only she'd known they were going to go that night, she would've waited until another night. Now, not only was she sure to get unwanted attention and a lot of questions, but probably the others were frightened out of their skulls at seeing the church go down, even though those depraved torturing racists deserved to lose their church.
The only thing she could do now was wait, and then try to get home before Pippi and the others were notified, though NT had a sinking feeling Luna or rocket, or maybe even Darren called the house on her. in which case, she'd have to wait a little longer and watch for a familiar vehicle. No sense going home and having one of the guardians come here for nothing.
And anyway, she needed to clear her head.
Pippi arrived, and gaped at the sight of what had once been the church.
She looked around for Rocket's vehicle, and parked next to it. She opened the door and got out, then tapped on the window of the van.
They were so jumpy from what they had witness that both women nearly jumped out of their skin at the sound.
"Oh! It's just Pippi," Rocket said, embarassed. She opened the door.
"Sorry." Pippi said, peering in. "Which way did she go?"
"Back past the church, or what's left of it," the nurse told her.
Pippi peered past them at Darren. "Are you all right, Darren?" she asked him.
"I think so, Pippi, can I call you tomorrow? I'd like to talk to you but right now is kind of messed up."
"Yes, certainly, Darren." pippi replied.
"How about you two, are you sure you can drive?" Pippi asked Rocket and Luna. "You look as bad as Indy after the Valjean Meadows incident."
The women took deep breaths and looked at each other. "We can make it back to the spa," Luna said. "but I think we'll want to stop there for the evening."
"Yes," agreed Rocket.
"All right. Darren, you can go with them, or I can drive you home." said Pippi.
"No, that's okay. I'll go with them," he said.
"All right. I'll talk to you later." With that, Pippi turned to go get NT.
Pippi walked off quite a way, looking around, looking behind every tree or shrub, looking between buildings.
"NT, are you out here?" she called.
No reply.
She called again, and still got no response.
But she managed to grab something that felt like fabric among one of the shrubs.
"Oh, there you are," she said, not in a cross way.
The girl came out and began to run.
Pippi took after her and caught her again. Being several inches taller and physically much stronger had their advantages.
NT struggled, quickly trying to wriggle out of Pippi's grip. Not unlike what a chinchilla does when cornered.
But Pippi was expecting this, she'd had a lot of experience with Ameh Chase years earlier.
"Take it easy, NT, I'm not going to hurt you."
But NT continued struggling wordlessly.
"Pippi held firm, but not in a way that hurt. "I came because I'm concerned.
, I didn't come to punish or disown you." Pippi smiled.
Only then did NT stop struggling so hard.
Pippi gave her the same calming treatment she'd given Indy during her worst agitations, soft talking and soothing physical contact, though it took much longer now than it had with Indy.
"Let's go back to the car, now, NT Vanessa Maria," Pippi said, taking the girl's hand and leading her back to the vehicle.
NT cooperated, and moved silently along with Pippi.
As Luna and Rocket drove along...
"Want another one?" Luna offered Rocket.
"Yes, please."
Rocket opened her mouth and Luna gave her another dose of their herbal homemade stress formula. The MoonDaughter took another shot herself, annoyed it was taking so many to calm both of them down.
"No more for me," the nurse told her. "or we'll be flying the rest of the way to the spa."
Luna nodded, looking out the window into the blackness around them. "I hear you. I still can't get that damn image out of my head. It was like that movie, what was it? Carrie? Where she comes out of that burning building untouched and it's going up like a torch?"
Rocket shivered. "Yeah."
"But there was no fire, the thing just - collapsed." said Darren. "But yeah, like something from a horror movie. Couldn't have happened to a better church." he snickered. "I had no idea about NT, though, not really, I guess. I didn't know shooting off my mouth to her about it would make her do - this."
Rocket's cellphone rang. "Oh crap...that's probably big brother. Can you get it."
Luna got the phone. "Hello...Armageddons Are Us, oh hello William." She paused, listening, while Rocket smirked and Darren chuckled. "Oh nothing, we just witnessed a friend tear apart a church building and level it to the ground, that's all."
The nurse could hear her brother go "What?!?" from where she was.
"Remind me to never piss off NT Dawson, okay?" Luna replied, shaking her head. "she has some major issues with churches gone bad."
Luna looked back at Darren at something William said. "Yeah, Darren saw it, right along with us, but no, I don't think it traumatized him. He looks pretty good for the experience." She smiled at him, as he looked up at her. "Not everyone gets to see such fierce retribution on their behalf, y'know."
"Yeah, no kidding," Rocket muttered.
"No, NT isn't with us," Luna told him. "we called Pippi to come get her...I didn't want either of us trying her patience by telling her that was a bad thing to do. Besides, I'm not so sure it was all THAT bad, but that's just me and my thirst for poetic justice."
Static started to intefere with their reception now as they began to climb into the mountains and out of range of Mountainviews cell towers. "William, I'm losing you. We're okay, we're going to Westwind for the night. We'll see you tomorrow when we get back into town. G'night."
She closed the phone and put it back.
"Poetic justice," Darren chuckled. "That's a good one. I don't think it was all that wrong either, not when I think of what went on with those people and...me. ."
"There is a law that governs pagans called the Law of Three," Luna told him. "they believe that the good and bad they do to others comes back to them threefold. I personally don't believe it because I've never seen it consistently happen, but that doesn't mean it doesn't come back to bite you in the ass when you come back in another life."
Rocket chuckled at that.
"Well," said Darren, "I don't think that would apply here either, or it would've been someone sadistic meeting out what these sickassas brought on, giving them a hell of a lot worse than just tearing down a building."
"Maybe we'll find out it did, though," the nurse offered Darren and Luna. "it's been a long time since you've seen these people, Darren. Who knows what's happened to them since you were a child?"
"I can't imagine them surviving what they did to me three times over." he added with a shudder.
"We've seen some pretty intense stuff," Rocket told him. "a person can survive getting their leg or arm cut off completely if they get medical attention fast enough."
"Or their finger," Luna said absently, thinking about Brianne. "but, yes, Rocket's right, but let's not go there right now."
"Agreed," the nurse said.
They fell silent again.
Back in Pippi's car...
"What made you tear the church down, NT?" Pippi asked, still in a kind tone.
"I didn't want other people - the ones that didn't get arrested - to carry on with it - besides, the place was contaminated...Condemned, defiled, profaned. Those - monsters - used it for - well, you know."
"I know, NT," Pippi said softly.
NT became silent again.
"And?" Pippi probed.
"Because of them, people are thinking that Christians go around torturing, and condoning it!"
"And?"
"And that's a damn lie!!"
"Yes," Pippi agreed.
"They had no right hurting people like that! And they were getting away with it - just like Tompkins! And they got people believing all sorts of lies about Christians - just like Miranda and Brianne did to me! Dammit! They destroy people!"
"And you're not gonna take it any more," Pippi prodded, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder, "You're going to standup for Darren, and show them and the others that Christians don't do any of those heinous, depraved things!"
NT nodded, trying not to cry or scream out an answer..
pippi's voice became quieter again, "What better way to prove that than by destroying the symbol these people pride themselves on. A fake church, phony Christians, and everything they and theirs have ever done to you, or Darren - anybody."
NT nodded, gritting her teeth, and looked away.
Pippi put an arm around her. "NT, let it out.
NT shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut.
"You've been walking around, concealing a fractured spirit for so long, NT Vanessa." Pippi said compassionately. "But you know, even Capri got counselling after September 11, and you don't know how hard it was for her to admit she needed it, and how I tried to get her to realize it. Darren is in counselling now, after years of struggle."
"I didn't know that." said NT quietly. "I thought Capri just bounced back all on her own."
"She didn't want anyone to know. She only told me much later when I complimented her on how she was getting herself back together."
Pippi continued. "I know now just how paralyzed Nick, Jacquan, Miranda, Brianne, and Marilyn have made you, too afraid of crying, showing your feelings, afraid of being happy because someone might bring you down."
NT squirmed.
Pippi continued. "We looked in Miranda's, Brianne's and your old computers, I know from the emails that were there, how they bullied you. And it made me literally sick. If only we'd known how bad it was."
"And if Darren could've met some real Christians that didn't do what those idiots did." said NT, trying to change the subject.
"Nevermind them for now. You weren't just lashing out at the church, were you? You must've wanted to hit back at every single person who ever hurt you or anyone you ever heard about."
Despite a tremendous effort not to cry, NT couldn't hold out any longer. Pippi was absolutely right. Tears began rolling. Pippi only made the fight for control harder with her touch and comforting voice.
Pippi rocked NT to and fro and finally, the girl had no choice but give in and let out the pent up grief.
Pippi held her for a long time until she quieted again.
"Now, we'll have to tell Capri and Ariel what happened tomorrow. They will be very concerned, but they won't disown you. I know you never got over what Marilyn did, even if you never talk about it."
NT shot Pippi a pained glance.
Pippi nodded. "If I'd known Marilyn was going to behave so coldly, I would've taken you with me on my spring vacation that year, and taken you right in after that. But I thought Marilyn wanted you. She sure seemed to."
"And then she did nothing but grumble about everything and cast stupid judgements on people. Not just a little stupid either - but way off on another planet stupid."
Pippi shook with a suppressed laugh at this. That sounded like something the sassy reporter Indy would say. "Marilyn was so self-absorbed that she couldn't see anything straight in front of her, NT," said Pippi, then in a quieter tone, "But not even knowing that is going to erase the memories and the pain. Capri was more than a little miffed at Marilyn over the way she treated you, and her grievous judgement of Capri's character, as were Ariel and I. But we didn't know how deeply you felt or what you'd do if pushed to confront these feelings before you were ready. But I think you are now...Past ready. Also, Rocket and Luna were scared out of their minds at what they saw tonight."
"I didn't know they were gonna be there...or I would've done it another night. No one was supposed to see."
"Then maybe it is a good thing they saw you or we never would've gotten to the bottom of the mystery."
NT shook her head.
"Frightened as they are, I am glad they saw you and called me. Now, let's go home." Pippi squeezed NT's arm, and then started the car.
The drive home was quiet because Pippi was lost in thought, and NT was exhausted and fell asleep on the way.
Pippi was glad for the silence and the long drive, being able to gather her thoughts about what to do next.
They had all known the terrible stress and anguish NT had been put through, but as she had told the girl, they had no idea how badly she had been hurt until they had gone through those emails from everyone. Obvious only now, it had caused some deep, emotional problems they were no longer equipped to handle.
She would have to talk to Capri and Ariel when they got home and got NT to bed, but she was definitely going to recommend the girl start some emotional counseling.
This could not be allowed to be left un-dealt with...if the destruction she had wrought upon the church could scare Luna and Rocket after all the two had been through in the past year, it must have indeed been a fearsome sight and a frightening indicator of the emotional trauma that still lingered even after Brianne's penances.
And considering NT had done her best to hide for so long, now it was time to deal.
Pippi sighed, turned on the radio softly and when the mountains cut all the stations out, she popped a CD in the player and got comfortable for the long drive back.
It was very late into the night by the time Pippi pulled back into their driveway at home. NT was wiped out from the stress of the moment and her guardian carried her into the house quietly.
Concerned Discussion
The next morning was bright and clear, belying the dark mood of concern at the home of Pippi and her friends.
Not wanting to wake Capri or Ariel, Pippi had waited until the morning to tell them what had happened.
When the shock wore off, Ariel burst into tears.
Pippi and Capri comforted her.
On the way to work, Indy noticed that Pippi seemed to be preoccupied. Indy continued making idle chitchat, trying to feel her out without being obvious. But as they drove along, Indy could just tell something wasn't quite right with her friend.
They arrived at KWHO, and got in just behind Misery.
"Oh, hi Indy, Pippi, beautiful morning, isn't it?" Misery smiled.
Pippi shook her head, and took a deep breath. "I've got some news that's going to shock you both."
"Uh-oh." said Indy.
"What is it?" asked Misery.
"This isn't easy. The church we just shut down - was literally torn down late last night...By NT."
"Huh?" Indy said, eyes going wide. "Sounded for a minute like you just said NT tore down the church."
"Yes, Indy, that's what I said." Pippi confirmed.
"Uh, eh...?" Indy couldn't think of anything to say, she was shocked.
Misery's eyes widened and turned very pale green, almost yellow. She gasped.
Pippi nodded. "She must've crept out while we were in bed and...Rocket, Luna and Darren were there, Darren wanted to visit the church to put his memories to rest I guess...They saw NT destroy it. And then they called me."
"They SAW her do it?" Misery said, shocked.
""Wow," said Indy, "I bet seeing that was a shocker for him."
"He was the least fazed of them all, it's Rocket and Luna who were scared out of their minds. I think Darren felt sorry for them." Pippi replied.
"And how was NT when you went to get her?" Misery asked.
"Upset at being seen and recognized. Unhappy about my coming to get her, but still very distraught at the things that went on in that cult. And, afraid of us abandoning her now that we know she was behind the church going down."
"I know if I was Darren I wouldn'd be sorry to see the church of my abusers taken out." said Indy. "But NT - I mean, I know she was upset, but - I guess more than anybody realized."
"A great deal more, Indy." said Pippi.
"We wouldn't abandon her, and certainly her own mother and Capri wouldn't. Is she afraid of that happening because Nick had?" asked Misery.
"Partly. But rejection issues go back even before Nick, Misery, but I don't want to keep you from your work. If you want, you can call or email me later." said Pippi.
"Is she gonna get counselling?" asked Indy.
"Yes, and now that she is communicating, hopefully something can actually be done." Pippi said. "After Brianne straightened out what she could, and left town, NT started coming along farther than she'd been in years, and then WAM! The Whobilation thing hit."
"That's understandable. She did take that incident very hard - not recovered enough yet from everything else. Not as strong as she was trying to be." said Misery.
Yes, But at least she didn't completely shut down. It's easier to deal with someone acting out than someone who is catatonic or almost there." said Pippi.
"I think you're right." said Misery. "And if she knows we're all behind her, and that even Darren is getting counselling, and if we make it a family and friends effort, that should help."
"Or get her into a group therapy, with others that need help too, so she knows she's not the only one." Indy suggested.
"I've thought about that." said Pippi. "We'll have to shop around and find what works, but definitely, it's time to get her some help, and get to know the counsellor too, so NT won't feel like we're just dumping her into the hands of some stranger."
There were nods of agreement.
"How did Ariel and Capri take this?" asked Misery compassionately. "It would be difficult for any parent or guardian to take in completely."
"It was a shock in a drastic, freaky way. Nothing like the deliberate heartache and headaches Miranda caused, but Ariel is hurting for her."
"Does NT know that?" Indy asked. "That'd make her feel even worse."
"I think she knows her actions have caused some great concern, but Ariel can be strong around NT, and let herself go when out of her sight. But you're right, Indy."
"Cool - I remember when I did things that weren't meant to, but made my mom cry. It made me feel like absolute crap." Indy admitted.
"that's why you're the first real friend NT has outside of home, Indy. You two have similar sensitivities and values. You seem to understand her and managed to gain her trust, more than anyone other than we have. Well," Pippi looked at them both, "I should let you get to work."
"Indy," Mr. Whomason called, coming out of his office. "Good to have you back. Good job on the report about that big arrest of the cult leaders in Mountainville last evening!"
"Thanks." Indy said.
"But you're not done with the church yet." He approached, and handed her an outline.
Indy groaned under her breath.
"Some ex-members must've decided to celebrate, demolition style. This story is all yours, Indy, go for it."
"Thanks." Indy mumbled.
"Hello, Pippi," Whomason greeted her with one of his characteristic friendly smiles. "How are you today?"
"Oh, tired," she replied.
He grinned, "Well, you take it easy then. Misery, you get the report on the town counsell meeting and the consumer report - there are a couple of interesting recalls in there today, and I might have something more for you both later on. Now, get to work, you slackers!" he joked.
Pippi giggled.
Indy and Misery laughed, and parted company to work on their newscasts.
Pippi went back home.