what happened after unlocked

epilogue

The meadow was wide and pale blue, just like the color of Keefe's eyes.

Far off, beyond the fields of yellow and red flowers, was a steep mountain range, bordering the horizon. Ravens soared across the cloud-peppered sky.

In the distance was a small cottage home, surrounded by swarms of pine trees and lavender bushes. The air smelt of daphne.

Next to Sophie was Keefe. They were marveling at the land before their eyes, wondering how something so beautiful existed in real life. The plants and the seclusion and house itself were all terribly perfect, like they'd been crafted from their imagination.

Hand in hand, they wandered across the fields of wildflowers and pale grass. Sophie had never thought she'd see the day where she could live her dream.

A small bunny scampered past their feet, looking up at them in mute terror.

Linh had told her about the rabbit she'd seen before Izabella and Nico flashed in behind her, so Sophie instinctively looked over her shoulder anxiously.

Keefe took her hand gently. "Come on, let's get to the house."

Sophie smiled at him gratefully, and they walked a little faster to the cottage, careful not to trample any seedlings.

Inside, they were greeted by a small front room, lit by sunlight and a few stray lamps. Old books were laid randomly across spare surfaces, and plants hung from strings attached to the tall ceiling. A batch of strawberries was growing in an abandoned fruit bowl.

It was dusty and cramped, but everything was warm and cozy and vibrant. Sophie wanted to stay here forever. And maybe she could.

With Keefe and a world of possibilities, anything was possible.

She imagined herself sitting in the next room over, huddled next to the fire with a book in her lap and a wooly blanket draped over her shoulders, Keefe sleeping on her shoulder. A warm mug of tea was steaming on the table next to her, and the window let in natural light.

Sophie opened her eyes, with a small smile on her face. Keefe squeezed her hand.

She leaned up, kissed him, and then breathed in the scent of love and the plants in the room. So beautiful, so simple, so colorful, and so harmless. She could stay here for as long as she wanted, and she would never be hurt again.

And for the rest of her long life, that's what Sophie Foster did.