Page 24 of In God's Absence
A part of me died along with Elijah, and the rest of me is trapped in my grief. The world turns to a blur outside the back windows as Kameron begins to drive away from the facility. I faintly hear him make a call to someone named Justin, before I see the smoke begin to fill the air.
It’s done.
Epilogue
The early sunrise reflects off of Mount Rainier as Lilith and I finally enter Seattle. She had been silent for most of the drive, occasionally asking me questions while I explained what happened. I told her how I had taken a keycard off of one of the first three guards, and how I had sent the others on a wild goose chase after me once I locked her into the East Wing. I spoke about Justin, my friend from Oregon and how he and his girl had made a quick trip to Colorado to help prepare the bombs. My unhinged friend from the PNW had proved once again that he is a force to be reckoned with.
She took in every word I said, but kept quiet about what happened in that room. With how I found her, I knew enough. Adam was dead. Elijah was dead. The rest wasn’t important. When she’s ready to tackle those demons, I’ll be right there with her.
But for now, the silence is okay. I click to turn on the radio, a newscaster coming through the crackling radio. “Lilith Jones, a Colorado resident, has been pronounced dead after The Garden bombing. Authorities have yet to release the names of the other victims, but a suspect still hasn't been brought into custody.”
I look up into the rear view mirror, watching as Lilith’s mouth gapes at the news. “Did you really think I’d let you live a life where you weren’t free?” I smirk. “I would never have you go from one cage to another.”
“But how?” she questions, still staring at the radio as if she’s waiting for this to all be a prank.
“Left enough DNA for them to draw conclusions. With a little bit of help from Leah, we were able to convince them that you were still a patient there.”
She smiles at me through the mirror, mouthing a quick thank you, before returning to where she had been laying in the back.
“With that being said,” I start off, “You will need a new name, my Little Sinner.”
“Do you have any suggestions?” She questions from the back.
“How about Valentina? It derives from the Latin word Valens. It means strong.”
She rolls away, pulling one of the old blankets Josiah kept in here over her body. “I like that one,” she mumbles out through a yawn.
I continue to look back until her chest is slowly rising and falling. Sleep evident in the peace that's overtaking her body.
For most of my life, I thought that being so apathetic was my superpower. That as long as I was numb to the world around me, I could live a happier life than most. Completely unaltered from my past. Lilith Jones changed everything for me. She showed me how beautiful it is to be loved. And better yet how incredible it is to love someone. To give them pieces of you with full trust. To know that the bed will always be warm.
She has changed my life in more ways than I could ever begin to explain. In return, I will spend the rest of my life worshipping her.
One thing at a time,I remind myself as we pull into the neighborhood. Justin and his now fiancé, Jezebel, moved here a few weeks after I had left Oregon. They had built a beautiful life, one I’m grateful to be let into. Here, Lilith and I can start fresh. Maybe, if we’re lucky, we can live out the rest of our days here. Happy people, with normal jobs. Maybe a child or two down the line if Lilith ever desires one. A dog named Scout, and a house painted bright yellow.
A smile overtakes me as I daydream about our future. Our beginning has finally started.
Extended Epilogue
43 years later
I glide my hand along the tombstone, smiling down at the wrinkles that now coat my skin. “You gave me such a beautiful life, my angel.”
I sit down in the grass, feeling the morning dew soak into my black pea coat. It’s become a ritual for the past two years to have my morning coffee with him at least once a week. Even in death, he is my safe haven.
“Taylor has finals this week,” I start off, updating him on our daughter. “You would not believe how ridiculous she’s been over this. Definitely got her dramatics from you.” I laugh, tipping my cup to him.
A slight breeze rushes through the graveyard, forcing me to pull my coat in tighter. “Is this your way of telling me I shouldn’t be outside in the cold?” I laugh, allowing my crows feet to pinch together as my eyes squint. “You’re right. I should probably get going.”
Slowly I pull my aging body back up to my feet. I lean forward carefully, placing a gentle kiss on top of the tombstone, silently thanking Kam for saving me. For giving me the greatest life anyone could’ve ever asked for. He truly did turn out to be an angel.My very own guardian angel.