Symbiosis: When a Girl Meets an Alien (V.6)

Epilogue: This is My Life

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Redding, California, United States of America

The day after President Marsh and Emily made their agreement in Camp David, he addressed the nation from the Oval Office. He spoke softly, resolutely, and assured the people of the country that the worst was now behind them.

"My fellow Americans... At 3:10 A.M this morning, after deducing a weakness in the Venom symbiote, a team of Navy SEALS raided a hotel room in Denver, Colorado. The Venom symbiote was destroyed, and with it, its host. Emily Nicholson was killed by the strike team at 3:14 A.M. Effective immediately, martial law is lifted, restrictions on travel are being removed, and the threat has been handled. Proper funeral processions will be held in Arlington National Cemetery for those American soldiers who laid down their lives in the name of their country,"

While Marsh stood no chance of winning the election against his Republican foe after the disaster, he seemed to be able to rest easy. General Hammond would stand trial in a federal court for treason and second degree manslaughter... all five-hundred and twenty accounts of it.

Emily and her family - minus Scout - had been hard at work creating a new identity. Perhaps it was because of their bloodline, or perhaps they genuinely felt as though this was the best solution to prevent further issues. John Sr. being the good man he always was, had convinced his wife that this was the best course of action. Emily had just turned eighteen, and frankly had earned enough credits to graduate high school a year ago.

As of midnight, Emily Nicholson would properly vanish forever. In her place would be Kaitlyn Pratt, a nineteen year old student soon to begin studying at Georgetown University - in Washington D.C. Emily had dyed her hair brown, and would need to keep regular upkeep to ensure that the only time her natural blonde began to come out was during the summer. She had stopped using contacts and had been fitted for corrective lenses. Venom had done some work on his end, physically growing her from her current 5 '1 to 5' 7, an increase of six inches which would make her look not similar to who she had used to be.

A new backstory had been drawn up, from birth to the present, to account for any discrepancies. Part of Emily's genius, the ability to retain information and plan had been in full swing. 'Kaitlyn Pratt' had begun applying for social security, new documentation, and a driver's license.

It was all going according to plan - although there was a part of Emily's plan she had yet to spoil to her family. She wouldn't put that part into play until they reached the airport to avoid any catastrophes. She gathered whatever was left of her stolen money and gambling winnings from Vegas, all in all plenty to start a new life across the country.

She took a final stroll through Redding, her old home while her parents packed her bags. She didn't have many people outside of her family to say goodbye to, so she returned, gave Tux a final stroke on the head, packed up her father's pickup truck... and left Redding.

The eleven hour drive through California to San Diego was long, but enjoyed by all. They told jokes, swapped stories and sang songs the entire time. Despite the gravity of the day, Isabelle and John Sr. felt a strange sort of peace, seeing how energetic, happy, and full of life Emily was. It was something that for the entire time she had been sick they hadn't seen.

If Emily was fine, and willing to be on her own, and felt confident in her new life to come, then her parents could stomach the grief for her. Even if they didn't fully trust Venom, Emily put her life in its hands - both literally and figuratively - without question. They had been forced to accept along with the rest of the world that there were things they could never understand. Hell, there were public communications between the Arachnari and United Nations about establishing formal diplomatic relations between Earth and their world.