The Spark

Epilogue

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Gary Jules - Mad World

1:08 ━━❍─────── 3:09

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I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take,

When people run in circles it's a very, very

Mad world, mad world

Two weeks later

Standing in front of the mirror clad in a dark blue blazer, a gray knee-high pleated skirt, sensible Mary Janes and white socks, a fresh collared shirt and blue-striped tie, you would've thought that everything was okay, and that the girl in the mirror was the happiest girl on earth to go to school.

She wasn't.

After I'd gotten back from the island, I became violently ill with a nasty fever and stomach bug. My aunt and uncle nursed me back to health before I went back to school, but they couldn't stop talking about my "fun little island adventure", thinking I'd had such a good time on a tropical island like we saw in the magazine ads.

Both my getting sick and the island had taken its toll on me. My skin had a grayish tinge to it, and there were dark circles under my eyes, which once used to sparkle with excitement for what was to come. Now they were as dull as the gray of my uniform skirt.

I put my hands over my face upon catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, not wanting to see myself.

I looked anything but excited.

"Ah, here they are!"

The naval officer had been kind enough to drop us off at the airport where we were supposed to have been picked up, and even kinder to wait with us until some adults came to take the boys to school. I guess he wasn't as bad as I thought he was.

Percival sat next to me, his mousy hair and round face crusted with dirt. He leaned on my side and I put an arm around him, knowing that he was seeking comfort.

"Well lads, I think I'm going to go now," the naval officer said, standing up. "Unless you-" he pointed to me "-aren't going with them?" I shook my head.

"No sir." My voice was cracked and hoarse with disuse. I hadn't spoken since I had fallen asleep with Ralph.

"Okay, I'll stay with you a little longer until someone comes to pick you up," he said. "I'd hate to think about what would happen to a young lady left to her own devices in a strange airport."

I resisted the urge to strangle him. I almost wished we were back on the island so that Jack and his tribe could torment him somehow.

One by one, the boys rose up and left. I felt a longing ache in my chest, watching them go. Percival clung to me around the middle in a fierce hug.

"Please come with us, Y/n," he cried. "Please, I'll miss you." Tears sprang to my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away, willing myself to be strong. I bent down and looked him in his teary eyes.

"I can't go with you, Percival," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Please understand that."

"But-but will I see you again?" he asked, his bottom lip trembling. I pressed my lips together to keep myself from crying out.

"I don't know," I said, knowing that there was no way I could talk this down and sugarcoat it for a six year-old to understand that some things in life were never meant to stick around as long as they did. That people who matter will leave the deepest impressions on your heart will be the ones to leave first.