The Phoenix Society

Epilogue

"Come on, Kya. Come on, Kya." Banks mumbled to himself his eyes not straying from the tunnel entrance. He sat on the edge of a truck as Silas tended to his wounds. He barely felt the pain anymore. His mind was focused somewhere else. His leg bounced up and down as he anxiously waited. It had been twenty minutes since they had gone in searching for her. Twenty minutes of waiting in agony.

Flashing lights lit up the forest around him in a fury of blues and reds as more police cars and SUVs showed up to the scene. He heard car doors slam shut as the officers jumped into action helping the wounded and looking over the prisoners. It was all a blur around him. The only thing he focused on was the entrance of the tunnel.

"It's been too long; they should have found her already." Banks spoke again to no one in particular. What was taking them so long? His mind immediately traveled to the worst scenario as he began to overthink the situation.

"She's a strong girl." Silas said, finishing up his work. His eyes were downturned and sad as he moved on to his next victim. Silas was right. She was the strongest person he knew. She had to be alive. She wouldn't give up that easily. She couldn't...

Yelling sounded at the entrance of the tunnel. Banks jumped up rushing over to the group. Their bodies were drenched from head to toe, only making the pit in Banks' stomach deepen. Banks scanned the group. One-by-one they passed him, each wearing the same solum look across their face. Some offered a small, lifeless smile, others just looked away. The pit in his stomach grew, his heart pounding. He knew what their faces meant, but he didn't want to believe it. She had to be okay...she had to be. Lillian paused in front of him. Her black ponytail dripped water down her back. She reached her hand out grasping his.

"I'm sorry, Banks." She said quietly. She gave his hands a reassuring squeeze before moving away from him.

Reid stood at the back of the group; his gaze cast down. He looked sad. Though he was covered in water, Banks noticed the way he sniffed as a droplet of water fell from his eye. He was crying. Banks pushed through the group, reaching Reid. His eyes widened in horror. Kya lay in his arms, her body limp. Reid's eyes met Banks' in a look that said 'I'm sorry'.

"No, no, no, no, no." Banks rushed over to Reid as he placed her on the ground. Banks knelt beside her, his hands trembling. Her hair, slopping wet, clung to her face hiding her delicate features. Her beautiful, sparkling blue eyes lay shut. There was no movement. No subtle breathing, no rise and fall of her chest.

Banks' ran his shaking hands over her face, pushing her hair away. He wanted to look at her one last time. She looked peaceful. Banks didn't want to believe it...he couldn't believe it. He placed his hands together, one on top of the other, and pressed down on her chest.

"You're okay, you're okay Kya." He spoke to her, his words calm. He wasn't going to just let her die. He pressed down on her chest over and over again. He needed her to be okay, he needed her to be alive. "Come on, Kya. COME ON!"

He needed her.

Her laugh, though not displayed often, was infectious. Her smile lit up the whole room, even on the darkest days. He idolized her kindness and willingness to put everyone before herself. She had been through a lot in this life, yet still continued to fight for the people she loved. She didn't deserve to die, not when she had so much life left to live. A tear slipped from Banks' eyes as he thought about all the time they had spent together.

He needed her.

"Come on, Kya." Banks sniffled as another tear fell. "I know it's hard, but I need you to push through the clouds. Come back...come back."