The Heart Darkens

Epilogue

Two weeks later...

Newark, New Jersey.

The fight was over. They'd won. And despite the everlasting victory they'd scored, some scars lingered on. Matthew would never forget what he'd sacrificed. Sam would surely never feel the same after what she had gone through. They'd both devoted their lives for the sole purpose of succeeding over Pestilence. It was bloody and painful. It took a large part of them away that they'd never recover... Quite literally for Matthew. Marcus had even lost a lot of good men around him. In fact, the only people who seemed to get off easy were the TECH workers. The De Gauze twins were awarded for their efforts to aid in the fight against terrorism, and Clarke was given his own team of top of the line professional doctors to research more into the new mainline hematic disorders, which would benefit all of mankind. 

For those who weren't so fortunate to be rewarded, they were sent back to the USA for some R&R. Matthew was honorably discharged by the time he stepped foot on the mainland. He even got to shake hands with Colonel Harna, a man he so reasonably looked up to. Marcus was awarded a silver star for his leadership and bravery, Sam was awarded a bronze star and Matthew never got that Medal of Honor he was recommended for. Despite the men who were there to hear of his accomplishments, it wasn't enough. He was declared KIA for his own protection. So, despite all he had done, he got out with only his best friend and cousin by his side. He wasn't even awarded a purple heart for the lack of his left arm. He knew it was worth it, however. Having Pestilence out of the world meant that the fight in the middle east would go a lot smoother for the USA. Besides, he didn't want to live in a world full of zombies.

One thing remained with Matthew however.  He knew that after all of this, he could never bring back an easy life with his family. Their ultimate sacrifice to bring him into this world, the whole town they had lived in.  You can never live down what you can't forget, so today.. He was going to work on forgetting it. Matthew went with Mark and Sam to a pub in Newark, New Jersey, a city near the Big Apple and in the same state he was born in. Mark had brought some of the soldiers from the Coyote platoon to celebrate the victory with him, and it became a mini party of sorts. It was a nice change of pace from being shot at, or being geared up to be shot at. Matthew would try to enjoy himself. He'd sit at a high table near a window with Sam, with a glass of Guinness in his hand. 

"Y'know I uh... Did see that document you were making for me." Matthew started a different topic. Sam seemed sort of surprised. "Thanks for that. It's uh... Well it um... It uh.." 

"You don't have to say a thing. I know, Matt. You did the right thing when it came to it. The world is.. Well, they don't know it, but they're in your debt. They should be the ones thanking you." Sam put a hand on Matt's. He looked down at it considerately. He knew what she meant. He looked out the window, sipping his glass. 

"So, gimme a sitrep." Sam raised an eyebrow, and he noticed this. "What is going on back there in the field now?" 

"Well, I can't speak much for right now, but they apparently finished sweeping out the remnants of Pestilence using the charts in the hangar... The Oricalium, being moved off site somewhere down in the south. CIA didn't give me an exact location in the debriefs."

"Gee, I wonder why..." Matthew rolled his eyes, sipping his beer again. 

"I trust these people. Don't worry, the gas is in good hands." Sam reassured him, but Matthew was always skeptical. 

"So you say. Anyways, anything else?"

"Uh... Oh, yeah. The military reclaimed the US Army FOB and they're making efforts to push into Kabul as we speak. No loose ends to speak of..."