The Chamber [Sequel to Silence]

Epilogue

 Raven’s eyes darted around the courtyard, only to find it deserted. In the dark, her eyes failed to spot the bodies of her friends swaying softly in the wind. Face hard as stone, she emerged from the shadows and began to walk to the podium. Karissa snuffled softly against her chest in her leather baby carrier, but Elliot remained silent. Raven allowed her fingers to brush their heads lightly as she approached the podium, her heart sinking as she saw the two swinging bodies. Her face crumpled and Karissa began to cry. Raven made no attempt to quieten her, too distraught to car for her own safety. She climbed onto the scaffolding and ripped the sacks from her friend’s heads, caressing their faces mournfully. She knew she didn’t have much time before someone figured out she was there, but she couldn’t believe she was too late. Too late to save them.

 Acting fast, she removed the knife from her pocket, and through the tears, she cut the ropes that held her friends in a deathly grasp. Pandora and Arrian fell limp to her feet. She wanted to take the bodies with her, but she knew she was not strong enough, still recovering from the difficult birth and having to carry the children too. She had no choice, but to say goodbye right there. Bending down, she kissed the heads of her friends softly and closed their eyes. She joined their hands together, knowing that’s what they’d want her to do. She stepped back.

 She remembered Clementia then, as she struck a match and watched the flame flicker close to her fingers. Then she let the match drop, watching as the grey garb her friends wore caught fire. Beside her, she thought she saw Logan smiling in sympathy at her. But she blinked and he was gone. Just a trick of the light. Just a mirage through her eyes, burning with tears and the heat.

 She could practically hear what Eddie would say to her when she told him she’d get revenge. It’s too dangerous. Don’t be a fool. Why would you risk everything now?

 Because, dear Eddie, revenge is sweet as honey. Something needs to give. This can’t be a stalemate. I will have retribution. With time.

 She gazed skyward and watched the flames rise and flicker as they consumed Pandora and Arrian. She breathed in deeply as she walked away, allowing no more tears to stain her face.

 This isn’t over she promised President Snow silently not until you’re dead and buried. This isn’t over.

                                                                                      ***

To be continued...the final instalment in the Silence series Battleborn...Coming January 2014!