DarkLight Redemption: Post-Human Universe - Book One

Epilogue

Even with everyone chipping in, getting New York back up and running took a solid two weeks of nonstop work. The Eldritch was only present for a few minutes, but a city full of savage lunatics can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

Being a couple weeks removed from the Day of Madness and its aftermath makes it less painful to revisit. In fact, I managed to mend some fences with old friends during the rebuilding project.

I'm on good terms with everyone in Varsity Squad now; even Maria only hates me as an asshole ex-boyfriend and not as an asshole super-traitor.

Brodus and I have already gotten together for drinks a few times, and the new kids on the team are cool with me. I figure Billy's to thank for that, as I've been spending some time with him and Charles as well.

I did manage to get myself removed from P.H.A.T.E.'s wanted list, so that's a big plus. Blynk, Mimic and the other "supervillains" weren't quite as lucky, but they were allowed to leave the city after helping out. They're still wanted men, but they were given a head-start.

Elizabeth Stokes and Drake Weston did not get off so easily. They were both immediately taken into custody and held without bail. Elizabeth was convicted in short order, especially since Weston wasn't bankrolling her defense team.

Popular opinion seems to be that even Weston's army of astronomically priced lawyers won't get him off this time. There was too much premeditation in designing and utilizing his device, and there were too many victims left in his wake. Count me among the many who hope he rots in a prison cell for the rest of his natural life.

Unfortunately, I lost track of Olive during the restoration. There was so much to do and so many people who needed help; it was just hard to stick by any particular person. When it finally occurred to me that I hadn't seen her for a few days, I was unable to find her.

I figure she went to check on her own family, but not knowing where they live or getting so much as an email address from Olive, I wouldn't know where to start looking. Maybe it's better this way. I mean, she's an amazing girl, and I'm just damaged goods.

Still, though, I've got a bit of a selfish streak in me. Or maybe a hopelessly romantic one. Hell, they may be the same thing, if you think about it. Either way, I find myself going there again.

Every evening since my part in the rebuilding process ended, I fly to the top of the Empire State Building at sunset. I wait there for a couple hours, give or take, but I haven't seen her yet.

I should probably give it up; after a couple dozen dusks, it may be time to accept that it's just not meant to be.

But I don't want to give up this time. If I find myself floating alone up here at sunset for the rest of my days, at least I could say that I never lost hope.

I start brainstorming some more practical means of finding her when she finds me.

"So this is where you've been hiding," she says from behind me.

I smile to myself and feel all the blood rushing to my face before composing myself and turning around.

"I hardly think this qualifies as hiding," I state. "In fact, I'd say it's the farthest thing from it. If anyone's been hiding, it's you."

"What?!" she says aghast. "I've been up here every day at noon for weeks waiting for you!"

I can't help but explode with laughter. Olive seems confused for a few moments, but soon the contagious giggle fits get the better of her.

"What's so funny?" she finally asks, fighting her smile back.

"I'll tell you on the way to dinner," I reply. "What are you in the mood for?"

"I dunno," she shrugs. "Italian?"

"Hmm," I check my watch. "A leisurely flight will get us to Florence right around breakfast time. But I could go for some pastries and cappuccino. How about you?"

"I'm always up for a tasty pastry," she chuckles.

I pull off my mask and float toward her.

"I'm Tom," I say, offering my hand. "Tom Reynolds."

"Olive Malloy," she replies, taking off her mask and wig and shaking my hand. "Pleased to meet you, Tom Reynolds."

"Shall we?" I ask, not releasing her hand -- and not intending to for a long while.

"We shall," she replies, making no effort to let my hand go, either.

We align side by side and take off away from the sunset. Sure, it might be more classic to fly into the sunset, but the quicker route to Europe is east from here.

So what's the difference between a hero and a villain? I don't know, and I don't care.

Right now, I'm flying high above the Earth, hand in hand with the girl I love. And right now, that's all that matters.

Well, that and delicious Italian pastries.