The Other Side of the Dome

Epilogue

Hanna walked out onto her front porch. It was a warm fall day and the sun was bright. Days like this she liked to remember what fall was supposed to feel like. The cool air and warm breezes. The smell of decay from the orange and red leaves that had fallen from the trees. The sound of the frost-covered grass and she walked through the woods. She was about to head out for the day when something caught her eye. A brown piece of paper is tucked under the welcome mat. A knowing smile spread across her face as she bent down to pick it up.

She retreated into her house, abandoning the hope of getting to the office early.

"What's that?" Her husband, Lyle, asked coming down the stairs. "From Sadie?'

She nodded as he joined her on the couch and they read together:

Dear Hanna,

I can't believe it's been five years since the bus accident. I heard you and Lyle got married. Congratulations! I wish I could've been there. I can only imagine how extravagant your dress had been. You probably looked like royalty. Tell Lyle I said 'hi' please. I love and miss you so much.

We came up with plans to start going West. We got word of some groups out that way and want to expand our allies. It is going to be a great adventure. Koda and I have been gearing up to go, which means more frequent trips to the dome. Our original way got discovered and blocked. It took us a couple of months to figure out another way in. That is why you haven't heard from me in so long.

Anyway, I'm bringing this up because we'll be gone for a long time once we head that way. It'll be dangerous and we don't have any safe houses past Dome Liberty. I don't know when you will get another letter from me so I want to meet before I go.

Love you,

Sadie

Ben slumped at his desk, head in his hands. He was exhausted and huffed as he looked at the stack of papers occupying the left corner of his desk—so many things needed to be signed or approved. So many people and businesses need his attention. All he wanted was a strong alcoholic drink and the comfort of his armchair at home. Day's like this he wished he would have stayed with Sadie in the Outerlands. He knew, however, that the Domes needed him.

His father had retired just a year before, leaving him with this job, the responsibility of running an entire dome. He was the only one who could do it. He knew that. That's why he needed to go home.

He reached into the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a small object. The oval-shaped piece of metal he'd found in the ashes of the pandemic creature. He'd carried it in his pocket the entire journey and kept it long after he made it home.

It was smooth and silver with a single black dot in the center of it. It reminded him of the tracker they would put in pet dogs and cats but he was unable to confirm if that was what it was. Eventually, life caught up with him and he had to abandon his research on the object and it took up permanent residency in the back of his desk behind the pens, paperclips, and other stationary items.

These days it served as a souvenir of the time spent in the Outerlands, and something that reminded him of Sadie. Whenever he thought of her his heart grew heavy and his eyes would sting with tears. He would never cry though, it seemed dumb and selfish to cry over someone who he had only known for a short while. Sure, they had gone to school together for as long as he could remember and sure, his best friend had had a crush on her best friend since primary school. But, Sadie had always been introverted.

That is why he sought her out in video games. He got to know the real her. She was funny, smart, and caring. He saw a part of her he feared only Hanna knew. He unintentionally fell in love with her. Many times he had wanted to tell her who he was but as the months passed he worried she would think the worst of him for lying. Worried she'd think that he was manipulating her, or making a fool out of her.

He was right. When he did finally tell her the truth she had thought all of those things. She was so angry with him. He knew then that she would never be his.

A knock at his office door broke him from his thoughts.

"Come in!" He called as he slipped the metal object back into its hidden spot.

A beautiful woman with beautiful brown hair and flawless coppery skin walked in. She looked at Ben with concern as she approached his desk. She placed a small paper bag in front of him.

"You look awful," She commented with a small amused smile on her face.

"Thank you for that observation Lacey," he groaned, leaning back in his chair.

She leaned over him and kissed his forehead softly, "Come home."

He stared into her big brown eyes, "I want nothing more, but I still have a few more things to do before I call it a night."

She looked disappointed but knew this was like as a Chancellors wife. She nodded to the paper bag, "I figured. I brought you dinner."

He gave her a loving smile and reached for it.

"Oh, and there was a letter for you, in the mailbox. I put it in there, too." She went to leave and stopped at the door. "It was weird though, there wasn't any postage on it." She shrugged and walked out.

Ben unpacked the food his wife had brought him, the smell reminded him that he had skipped lunch that day. His mouth salivated as he opened the thermos that contained the soup she'd made. The last thing was the letter. It was in a wrinkled, dirt-covered envelope with his name scratched across the front.

Hey Ben,

It's been a while. I heard you became Chancellor. I'm so happy for you. I hope you'll be able to complete all the dreams you had. I hope you remember them. The ones we'd talked about that night at the motel. I also heard that Lacey is pregnant. Congratulations. I'm glad you're thriving.

I bet you'll be excited to know that I and the Scouts of Fort Larson have decided to venture west. We heard of some communities out that way and are looking to expand our trade efforts. Some somethings are getting difficult to grow out here we know they grow naturally in the warmer regions west. I caught word of a new dome being built out that way and I'd love to see that construction firsthand.

I just want you to know that I'm doing well. I'm alive and happy, and I've become the head doctor in the fort. I've also trained five other doctors under me and a few more training as I write this. By the time we are ready to leave, we will be staffed with at least 20 doctors and nurses.

I also wanted to apologize for the way I left all those years ago. It wasn't right the way I did it but I don't regret it. If I could, I do it again. This is the best decision I ever made. I'm making a different out here. I've made friends and married the love of my life.

Before we leave, I'd love to see everyone one more time. I don't know when or if I'll make it back to Fort Larson and I want to see you, Hanna, and Lyle one last time. If you are still in contact with them, ask them about when and where we are to meet.

Always,

Sadie

As the three friends set down the letter and thought, they all felt the same thing: hope. The last five years had been great but they all felt something had been missing. Something they couldn't put their fingers on until they received these letters from Sadie.

They all craved the freedom and adventure they'd had in the Outerlands and each one knew there was one certain thing. Wherever Sadie was going, they wanted to go, too.