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“I’m at peace now. You stayed with me enough to help me believe it wasn’t all for nothing.”
“But you were the one saying that to me,” I say confused.
“Sometimes you have to say something first before you will believe it.”
Those words send a flame through my entire body, like Astor is transferring what warmth remains in him to a place somewhere deep within me. He takes a couple deep breaths and closes his eyes. His hand reaches out and grabs mine. More tears pour down my face as he says his last words.
/> “I will miss you, Kaela.”
“Goodbye,” I sob back, leaning down to kiss him.
His hold on my hand loosens, and I let it go and stand up before I completely fall apart.
Without letting myself think or feel anymore, I walk quickly toward the wall of rock and begin my way up, shutting off my mind as I push myself faster and faster. The burn in my muscles means nothing to me, and I am able to focus on climbing and nothing else until I reach the top.
I am tempted to keep going, to keep moving until I collapse, but I have to look back one more time. I turn around and glance down. The flares below still glow just enough to see the faint outline of where Astor’s lifeless body lies.
“I will make it back. I promise.”
Epilogue
I can’t feel my heart anymore. I can’t feel anything.
It has been a long time since I slept, and even longer since I’ve seen my sisters. The last time was above ground, near the Six Hills. I followed Helena, Brogan, Kat, and the others there from the caverns. All it took was a short swim underwater to get to the sea, and from there, I quickly found the beach where they landed, their footprints leading inland.
The coast was enveloped in fog, making it hard to track them. Yet, I could sense them somewhere ahead of me, and I ran to catch up and escape the dark feelings that were consuming me. But the closer I got, the darker I felt.
They came into view in a clearing in the woods near the hills. Cassandra was there to greet them, escorted by more soldiers and in
tears as she embraced Helena. It looked so wonderful. But my heart wouldn’t let me get any closer, and I retreated so I couldn’t be seen. Helena turned around like she saw me, but she didn’t say anything. Like she was letting me go. And she should. I’m not safe anymore.
