Manifestation

Epilogue

All you could hear was the quiet clinking of forks on the china.

Mom and dad weren't saying anything. They had been acting weird ever since the mail came. Jack and Jane didn't know what was going on either, but followed suit in silence.

"What is up with you guys? You're acting weird." I finally said.

Silence. They stared down at the chicken on their plates.

I wasn't going to try anymore. I pushed out my chair and brought my plate to the sink. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see my dad.

"Can I talk to you for a sec?"

At least I got something out of him. I set my plate down in the sink and followed him into the front room. He sat down on the green couch that I have always hated for its puke color and ketchup stains. I sat down on the leather couch across from him. My mom was usually very particular about everything matching in the house, but the front room is where all of the furniture that didn't have a place went.

He pulled out a letter from his back pocket and handed it to me.

It was already unsealed. I took the paper out and saw the military seal on the front.

"This came in the mail today." He said in a low voice.

I opened the paper and skimmed the words typed on it. I caught the words "draft" and "virus" and "selected" and "serve", it was signed by the president. I swallowed a lump in my throat. It had suddenly gotten very hot in the room.

"You leave for Phoenix in three days." He said, his voice sounding dry.

"How can this happen? I'm not even eighteen yet?"

"They were taking some desperate measures. They dropped it to seventeen and we thought you would be safe from the draft but with your birthday coming up....."

I tried to choke back the tears. I wouldn't cry. I would not certainly not cry. It wasn't a big deal. They would probably only have me at a base for a month or two but they will eventually not need me anymore and they will send me back.

"It's ok, Ry, you can let it out." Dad consoled me.

I shook my head and stood up. "It's not a big deal. They won't use me anyway."

He stood up too. "Ryan, you don't know that."

"Well I'm coming back. I'm finishing those pre college medical courses. I'm going to become a doctor and I'm going to make you proud."

He didn't listen. "We can go with you. I bet Jack and Jane would be willing to say goodbye to their friends-"

"No. You guys need to stay here where it's safe. Phoenix is infected. You need to stay here."

He put a hand on my shoulder. "I'm so proud of you. You're becoming a man. And not some puberty crap 'man'. But you can ask for help."

I heard the doorbell ring and I walked over to the door and answered it. Kiera stood before me, her hair still flowed perfectly around her shoulders, but her makeup was smeared and tears streaked her face.

"Your mom called me-"

I wrapped my arms around her. She sobbed into my shoulder.

"I'm going to be fine. Don't worry about me."

She pulled away. "Please don't go."

I put my hands on her shoulders. "I have to." I whispered. "It's all going to be ok." I stroked her damp cheek and she held my hand there.

It's all going to be ok. It's all going to be ok. It's all going to be ok.

***

Manifestation was soooo fun to write! I'm going to miss it!

So yes, there will be a third book. You really think I was going to keep you hanging after that cliffhanger? Reformation is out and ready to be read!

The quote at the top is from my favorite show The Walking Dead. I get ninety percent of my inspiration (I don't copy it though, to all of you who watch TWD and find very close similarities in this book, I didn't mean to do that) and you guys should really watch it. Season 6 returns in October and I'm dying here without it.

Love you lots! Don't forget to comment!

XOXO

-RavenclawMaven1198