The Comeback

Epilogue - Jake Wood

Epilogue - Jake Wood

The light fades away and I expect to be standing on some other white empty place, but we’re not and I’m quite surprised because this looks so normal. All the colours, the landscape, the people walking by. This doesn’t look any different from the world I belonged to.

“Is this the Next Dimension?” I ask turning to stare at Louis, confused. “No offence, man, but I thought it would look more… you know, holy or something. I’m not complaining.”

Louis chuckles whilst still holding my shoulder with his hand.

“No, we’re not yet in the Next Dimension. I just… I just thought you’d like to see this. You know time is meaningless for carriers, so I just brought you here for you to see something.”

“Why? What?” I ask, frowning a bit. It’s weird to see Louis being just nice and smiley. Did I break him or something?

“I don’t really know but I think saying goodbye was important so I’m just thanking you, Jake Wood,” he explains with a small smile.

I part my lips forming a big O as I understand, maybe more than he does. I said goodbye for Emily and it’s likely that he never got to say goodbye before he became a carrier, same reason why Emily asked Liam to do that. That door was left open and was holding them back at different levels. Maybe that’s why he is always so grumpy. Maybe I didn’t break him but fixed him. He still doesn’t remember but he got to say goodbye and maybe for a second he did remember. I know it meant something to him saying goodbye. I understand that.

“And what am I supposed to see?” I ask next, taking my eyes off of Louis and looking around.

“Just wait,” is Louis’ answer and I roll my eyes. Maybe he’s not that grumpy and rude but he’s still cryptic. Is that a requirement to be a carrier?

I don’t mind him and I look around more carefully. I haven’t been here but it’s a nice place and it’s a lovely summer day. It’s a park, large and with grass and trees everywhere, even a little pond where some ducks are swimming happily. There are some kids playing with dogs or their parents. Some couples walking hand in hand and I don’t pay them much attention, until I see a particular couple.

They are with their backs on the grass, looking at the sky, pointing at clouds as they laugh out loud. I recognise her laughter immediately, as it’s the most lovely sound you could ever hear and I smile immediately as I approach to where they are resting.

I still remember how much Cass liked to see shapes in the clouds and come up with stories. She always saw more than just an object, she saw a life in everything. We could spend hours watching the clouds, laughing and arguing. Now she’s doing that with Liam but there’s a big difference because whereas Cass and I would only lie next to each other as friends, Cass and Liam are holding hands, closer than I ever was to her.

Both are laughing, both look so happy and although it still hurts that I’m not the one next to her, seeing her so happy is enough.

“Don’t you think it looks like a bowtie?” She asks Liam as she points to certain cloud. I look up and I only see a cloud, but once again, I don’t have Cass’ imagination.

“Although that would be cool, I think it looks like a heart. Look more carefully,” he protests and Cass rolls her eyes, snorting which makes me chuckle.

“Of course not. It would be a very twisted heart. I mean, poor heart!” She laughs and Liam pretends to be offended.

“Oi! Don’t laugh at the poor heart. Maybe it had a fight and it’s all sad now and you’re laughing at it!” He jokes along, coming up with his own story and I smile, knowing exactly how much Cass must love that. “Look, give me your other hand. I’ll show you it’s a heart,” he requests and even I frown at his words.