The Gate

Epilogue

"Welcome back, Matthews." Finn nodded to the agent who opened the gate to the Atalka Experiments. It had been months since Finn had last set foot in this town, and everything had changed.

The walls were dotted with green lights, signifying the overwhelming amount of security cameras here. The actual cells were deeper in the monotonous building, but Finn was already feeling imprisoned by the cold stone that lined the walls.

The Program had felt like years, despite lasting a few months. Finn had sat through endless sessions of people convincing him that he was insane, or that he needed to reject the bad spirits that dwelled inside him. He couldn't forget when they had tried to "freeze" the fire out of him.

"It's good to see you."

"Hey, Dad." Finn hugged his father, but he found it hard to pretend he was glad to see him.

"I'm glad you're here to see this." said Agent Matthews, grinning. "Apparently the Atalka Experiments is rivaling Lanier Labs. Elizabeth is pissed."

"Where is she?" Finn asked. He could care less about Elizabeth Lanier. He needed to find his sister.

"It's not a good idea to see her." Agent Matthews explained. "It probably won't do too much good for you right now. You just got out of the Program, and I don't want you to relapse."

"Like you did?" Finn asked. He remembered the way his father had summoned fire that night. "Did you go through the Program?"

"You know that." said Agent Matthews, shaking his head. "I wouldn't send you to any place I didn't understand. They lock you in the freezer?"

Finn didn't answer, but his cheeks burned with anger. "Just tell me where she's being held."

"It's in cell 27B." said Agent Matthews. "But that's not what we're here to talk about."

"We can talk about everything later," said Finn.

"Finn, I don't think you understand how big of a deal this is. Your first mission! I picked a pretty easy case. Nymphs are pretty harmless, so they're easy to take out." said Agent Matthews, his voice rising in excitement as he spoke.

Finn didn't say anything, and Agent Matthews picked up on his attitude.

"I get it if you're scared." said Agent Matthews. "I was scared when I had my first mission too."

"It's just a year, right?" Finn asked.

"A year is all that's required when you finish the Program. The missions are temporary, but I'd love to see you stick around with the Agency." said Agent Matthews.

"I never wanted this. You know that." said Finn.

"Maybe, but I don't think you understand. Once you do these missions, you'll be hooked, I promise." said Agent Matthews.

Finn looked down.

"Think of it as therapeutic. Every time I strike one of those monsters down, it feels like I'm killing the monster inside of me. A monster lives in both of us. It's hard to live with, but it's true." said Agent Matthews. "I'm sorry that I passed my burden onto you, but that just gives you more motivation, right?"

"Right," said Finn tightly.

"That's my boy." said Mr. Matthews. "You want to stick around here? I can give you a tour."

"I'm good," said Finn. "Aurelie needs some help with her homework."

"Is she sleeping okay?" Mr. Matthews asked. Finn had only been staying with his family for the past few weeks, but he was already more involved with them than his father. Aurelie was suddenly his responsibility.

Aurelie's insomnia had been plaguing the entire family for months. After losing Lena and learning that the Forbidden were real, she started struggling with intense nightmares that affected everyone.

Meanwhile, no one was allowed to talk about Lena. Uttering her name aloud could turn any conversation into a fight. It always ended in screaming or crying or both.

"It's going to take a while for her to get better. Lena had trouble with the Forbidden too, but she ended up okay." From the way Agent Matthews sighed, he didn't appreciate Finn bringing up Lena.

"Well, I should get back to work now, but it really was good to see you." said Agent Matthews.

"It was good to see you too, Dad." said Finn. Agent Matthews exited down the hall, and Finn watched him go coldly.

27B.

The Atalka Experiments were housed in the repurposed Atalka Academy. The A wing was where his classes used to be, but now it was where most of the science took place. The subjects were held in wing B, where Finn used to walk Aurelie to class.

Finn walked straight into wing B, and no one stopped him along the way. Agent Matthews was highly respected around here, and no one wanted to give his son any trouble. Finn walked down the hallway, his footsteps echoing along the concrete.

"I need to get into one of the blocks. 27B." said Finn to one of the agents making rounds. The agent stared at Finn in confusion.

"I'm not sure if we can do that," said the agent.

"My dad wanted me to see her. It." Finn corrected himself quickly. At the mention of Mr. Matthews, the agent couldn't refuse.

As the agent walked down the line of cell blocks, Finn could see the dark, claustrophobic spaces the subjects were being forced into. Nothing but a small barred window got access to the hallway. Once or twice, Finn thought he spotted a pair of desperate eyes pleading with him from behind the door, and he had to look away.

"27B." the agent announced, stopping before a cell. He pulled out his keys and unlocked the door. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah." Finn answered. "Can you give me some privacy, please?" The agent shrugged and continued rounds.

Finn pulled the door open. As it creaked across the floor, Lena moved herself to the back of the cell. Her glasses were gone, and she squinted at the dim hallway light.

"Whoever you are, I don't like you." Lena announced, still looking away from the door. Above her, a watchful green light monitored her every move.

"Unfortunate." said Finn.

"Finn!" Lena squealed. She leaped up and raced towards his voice. Finn noticed that she had to feel the wall beside her to see where she was going. Without her glasses, she probably hadn't seen something clearly in months.

Finn pushed Lena down as soon as she got close. Lena collapsed weakly, unable to fight back. When she turned back around, there were a couple of cuts on her cheek from the stone floor. Lena wiped the face spitefully. "Already?" She asked. "What did they do to you?"

Finn didn't say anything. He stared at the green light emotionlessly.

"What's wrong with you? It's only been months and you're back to being Daddy's little prodigy child." Lena accused angrily.

The green light sputtered out, and with it, the Agency's watch on the cell. As soon as the light was gone, Finn helped his sister stand.

"I'm so sorry," said Finn.

"Okay, what's going on?" Lena asked.

"I need you to hold on," said Finn. "Can you do that for me?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Lena asked.

"Well, it shouldn't be that much longer." Finn promised. "I think I have a way to get you out. All of you."

"Don't just say that to make me feel better," said Lena.

"I'm serious." Finn promised. "I'm getting you guys out of here if it's the last thing I do. The camera's about to turn back on." He looked warily at the wall, where the green light was starting to flicker back into existence.

"Got it." Lena whispered. On cue, she threw herself to the ground dramatically. "Help!" She screamed. Finn backed away from the cell as a couple of agents rushed to aid her.

Before Finn was pushed away and the cell door was slammed shut, Finn could see Lena mouth the word hurry.