The Shadow

Epilogue

   (Wow. We're on the last chapter. This is insane. What a journey it has been. I hope you guys will enjoy this)!

   We brought Landa over to the general. Aldo was right. He did get chewed out. Hey, at least we didn't kill him. I would've loved that, but Landa's fate is much worst than death. That's for certain.

   We were reunited with the rest of the Basterds. Hirschberg was pretty happy that I was still alive. But unfortunately, there were four of us that were missing. Hugo, Wicki, Donny, and Omar. Four people that should still be here. I keep getting emotional every time I think about them.

   "Hey Frankie!" Aldo called after I got my gunshot wound properly treated. I walked over to him. "Donny would want you to have this." He said, passing me Donny's bat. I began to cry even more. It was cleaned of blood and it had a few dents in it from all the work it has done for the past three years. I'm surprised it lasted this long. It was pretty heavy, no surprise there. I clutched it close to my chest, letting out tears. This was the only thing I had left of him, aside from my memories.

   I watched as everyone packed their bags. Aldo, Utivich, Hirschberg, and the rest were talking about everything that had gone on. I sat there, still clutching onto Donny's bat with a bag next to me with all my clothes in it. I sighed. They all had people to go to. I didn't. I was alone. Aldo walked over to me and sat down.

   "Is the war really over?" I asked, a bit upset. "Yeah. Yeah it is." Aldo answered. I sighed again. I kind of didn't want it to be over. I wouldn't ever see the Basterds again. "Where are you gonna go?" I asked. "Back home to Tennessee." Aldo replied. I nodded in response. "What about you?" He questioned. "I don't know. I thought if I was still a kid after the war, I'd stay with my aunt and uncle. But after they passed, I thought I'd stay with Amelie. But then she died. I thought maybe the war would span until I'm an adult, seeing how it looked unstoppable. But now I'm 14, and I'm gonna be alone. I have nowhere to go and no family to go to." I explained through tears.

   Aldo looked at me sympathetically. "Once you get back, you're gonna be a war hero. Me? Nobody will know about me. Nobody knows what the Shadow looks like." I sighed. I continued to clutch the bat as tears continued to fall. I leaned my head onto Aldo's arm. These would be the last few moments of me with him. My small cries began to turn into sobs.

   "Two years ago, you promised you wouldn't get yourself killed. You kept that promise, but you're still leaving." I cried. I couldn't bear this anymore. Everyone I love is leaving me. I'm alone. Aldo wrapped an arm around me, rubbing my shoulder. After a few moments, I let go. "Ok. I won't keep you here long. You need to go home." I sniffled. As much as I wanted him here, I knew he had to leave.

   "Ok. Come on Frances." Aldo said, standing up. "What?" I muttered, confused by what he meant by that. "Let's go home." Aldo expressed. "Home? What do you mean by that?" I inquired, furrowing my eyebrows. "I asked the general earlier about where you would go after the war. He said because you're 14, you would go to the orphanage. I couldn't let that happen to you, especially since you never wanted to go there to begin with. So that means, I'm taking you with me. I am adopting you." Aldo revealed. I widened my eyes. Did I hear that correctly?

   "W-What?" I stuttered out. "Yup. I ain't getting rid of you that easily. You said it yourself at the tavern after you shot Willi. So, you comin' or what?" Aldo asked, holding out his hand. I put the bat down and threw my arms around him. I was wrong. I wouldn't be alone. I was with someone I love, forever. "Of course I'm coming along!" I exclaimed through now happy tears. Aldo chuckled and ruffled my hair. "Ok. Let's get going Shadow." He spoke. I nodded and put the bat in my bag, draping it over my shoulders.

   It was pretty emotional, saying goodbye to Hirschberg, Utivich, and the rest. I would miss the two of them calling me Paris. "Stay safe you two. I love you both so much." I had said to them. I truly meant that. They knew I did. They had thanked Aldo for being a great leader. He truly is a great leader.

   After saying goodbye to them, we began heading out. I stopped for a moment, taking in France for the very last time. I grew up in this country. I loved every second of it, but then began hating it. It was the place where I became an orphan. It wasn't the country's fault, but still. I have immense trauma in France that I don't wanna remember. I might not ever return for years.

   However, there was one thing that France gave me. It gave me another family. A group of men who watched me grow for three years. It gave me Aldo, who is now my father. I always thought of him as a father figure, but now he is my actual father. Despite being traumatized, I still loved France. I will never forget it. How can I? "Thank you for everything, France. Au revoir."

   I thought back to three years ago, when I was just a scared, 11-year-old trying to navigate life after the tragic murder of her family. I had wished for death at that time. Then, I became a killer and met a group of guys who were just like me. Now, I'm 14 and a survivor of World War II. All those years I thought and hoped I would die. Do I regret surviving? No.

   I will always be remembered as the Shadow, to the people of France and the German Army. Even though not everyone knows what I look like. I took out my knife, something I am glad I still have. I went to a tree and began carving into it. I gazed at my work and smiled, satisfied. My work here is done. I put my knife away and joined an awaiting Aldo, leaving France together and staying together forever. I looked back at the carving one final time.

The Shadow was here.

THE END

   (AND DONE!!! Thank you guys so much for reading this book. I genuinely appreciate it and I am so grateful that you guys have been with me throughout this journey. This isn't the end of course! I have so much more book ideas! I hope you guys will stay tuned! Thank you so much for reading Rosalies! Jayden, signing off)!