Soteria

EPILOGUE

A few years later...

The sky was a spirited azure blue with tiny, indiscernible splotches of milky white cotton plastered here and there where the large, round blazing bulb was shining brightly with joy. The weather was serene and pleasantly balmy, with occasional gusts of breezy, warm air that frequently swiftly brushed by carrying the subtle aroma of lush floral plants and fresh grass, sending a relaxing sensation through one's being. 

The distant melodic singing of orange sparrows could be heard as they sang together like a choir upon the treetops, along with the birds that squawked as they soared through the placid heavens.

Ivy was seated under the shade and security of a baby pink kwanzan cherry blossom tree that had a tiny few hints of pure white hues splattered on the tips of their petals. 

There were a very few rare cherry blossom trees fortunately planted here and there, and along with these sweet, beautiful, luscious trees were much more tall, robust emerald green oak trees that covered most of her surroundings.

She was in a field. An open, vacant golden land that was planted with many crops, majestic trees, juicy fruits, and different blooming flowers that blossomed into flamboyant and brilliant fresh beings, where in the distance perched upon the sun-kissed field was a small cottage, and a few metres away was a large puddle of some sort.

Her eyes were lulled shut, and all Ivy could hear was the gentle murmur of the rustling trees as they danced along with the wind every time it waltz by.

It was calming, and she could feel her muscles soothing.

Behind her eyes and through the cracks of the barrier, Ivy could see the dazzling light that the sun produced and generously gave where it formed faint patterns that swirled a little, but it wasn't making her disoriented or dizzy in the slightest. 

Rather, it was providing her with ease and tranquillity, almost as if it were hypnotising her to sleep.

The open book that was resting upon her lap was long ago abandoned as all of her focus was solely placed upon her surroundings and the voice and company of nature.

She felt so free, and as she heard the wings of birds flapping above her, Ivy felt as though she were up there with them, flying away and away.

The chains that were once around her heart were broken and had ceased to exist. Her mind was free, and she never felt more relieved than ever.

Yet the thoughts would come back here and there where she would sometimes think about her family and friends, but she knew always when she thought about them that they were safe and that they were going to live the peaceful and flourishing life that fate, as well as she, had written for them. And they would be happy.

And they were going to be, seeing as Tom did perform an unbreakable vow for her, swearing and atoning on his life that he would never cross or even step foot in that path again.

It was finally enough.

One would perceive that Ivy would be feeling alone again, but solitude was no longer a quality within her virtue. 

She was not alone. Not now nor ever.

And even though she wouldn't have her loved ones by her side, Ivy knew deep down in her mournful, elastic heart that they would always be with her, and that was enough. Because right now she had a different life from theirs where she wouldn't even exist in their lives, and it was sad, yes, but not to her, for what should she find upsetting when she had everything she wanted and needed right before her?