Many years ago, when I was in an American Lit class in college, I had to read a short story, The Lady or the Tiger. If you end this story line here, you will be just as frustrating a writer as Frank R Stockton.
The Professor for the class, Dr. Davis, made us write an essay about The Lady or the Tiger. She later told me that in her 33 years of teaching, I was the only student she ever had that did not write their essay about what the guy got (the lady or the tiger). My essay addressed how I thought it was wrong for the writer to expect us, the reader, to finish HIS story.
Ethan, if you stop this story here, you will be guilty of the same crime. That crime is ending a story with out a CONCLUSION. The conclusion can be a Tragedy; or a Happy Ever After; however, it needs to be in the writers on words because a good story tells us as much about the writer, and their thoughts and moods, as it does about ourselves. By ending this story here, you will force us, the readers, to create a bastardized version of YOUR STORY in our mind.
Yes, I used the word bastardized correctly, because you will be forcing the reader to create an unholy blend of your thoughts and perspectives with our thoughts and perspectives. The end result will leave a 'bitter taste in our mouths' and minds.
Now; you need to decide if this story will be a Tragedy or a Happy Ever After and get back to the key board and finish the damn story.
Thanks for leading us on this journey,
RossN
PS- I seldom leave a thought or comment about a story, but this story is so well written, I felt compelled to post the above. I would say "good job Ethan"; however, the job is not finished. Please finish it.