The Light That Shines From Above

Epilogue: Chapter 55

Six Months Later

The tiny bell over my head rang as I pulled the door open. My eyes scanned the familiar diner. Everything looked exactly the same. The metal tables with mix matched yellow and green chairs. The floors were still checkered black and white with painted brick walls wrapping around the entire room, except for the big window at the front. Towards the back was the old counter, blocking the swinging kitchen door.

Near the back my mother waved her hand to catch my attention, her elbow never left the table. She had a bright smile and this time her cheeks were full of color. Her red hair was straightened to the top of her shoulder but pushed back by a headband. Her grey-blue sweater was loose but I could tell she had gained some weight. Her cheeks weren't hallowing anymore and her collarbones didn't jut out. The underneath of her eyes matched the rest of her complexion, not one trace of blue or yellow.

I walked straight to her, my hand entangled with Ikzo's as I guided him. My mother stood as we got closer, pulling me into a hug. Her hands fluttered on my shoulder blades.

"It's so good to see you baby," she said in my ear.

I squeezed her gently before pulling away to see her. "You too mom."

She turned to Ikzo, offering her hand. "Hello Ikzo, how have you been?"

He accepted her hand, gently shaking it. He was careful to keep his camouflage in place and not let his touch linger too long. She was still uneasy with physical contact. However she didn't flinch when he came too close or avoid eye contact. It was progress.

"I've been well thank you," Ikzo's said smoothly. "How have you been?"

"Good." She nodded.

I took the next step and sat down. They followed. Ikzo sat beside me while my mother sat across from me.

"So how is Ms. Waller? Still driving you nuts with her dog?" I asked with humor.

My mother rolled her eyes. "Of course. She lets the poor thing out when it's snowing and it barks forever at the door."

The townhouse my mother had moved into months ago had been good for her. She seemed to do better with people closer, neighbors to connect with. However she wrote to me often about one crazy lady and her dog. I almost joked that at one time that was her, without the dog of course. I didn't. Through all the letters and long distance calls I knew my mother was doing much better. She didn't have nightmares anymore unless something triggered them like a loud bang at night. She no longer painted her house to blend in or stayed in from sundown to sunup. She went out with some of her new work friends and was picking up on hobbies.

I knew it wasn't perfect. She still had her worries but I was quick to reassure her every time. I came back when I thought it might get too bad, which was a comfort. Time was a comfort too. She recognized this was the longest stretch she'd gone without being abducted. It reinforced my promise.

I hadn't told her about Straxium kidnapping me or anything about the incident. I only wrote to her when Ikzo had finally killed him. I told her vaguely what he did and where he was now. She responded simply; it was a relief to hear that.

While we ordered, waited for our food, and got it, we spoke about her life here. I was careful not to give much details about mine. I knew in time I would be able to explain more but for now it was enough just to be vague.

"I started painting the window frames outside," she spoke as she picked at her fries. "I took off the shutters, well all of them but for my room." She was hesitant to admit the last part.

I nodded. "That's good, are you painting them white or another color?" I asked. I wasn't going to make any comment about the other part. This was another tiny safety net she wanted to keep for a while longer. The fact that she took any of the shutters off at all was a huge step away from fear for her.