Tale of the Prophet Bearer: The Dark Queen's Reign

Chapter 39: The Aftermath

(A/N):

First of all, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL Y'ALL! I hope your day was filled with joy and chocolate fudge-- for course those are practically the same thing.

And second of all, this is THE last chapter. I know I know, I can just hear you all letting out breaths of relief, but there will be a sequel. It just won't be coming out for a while. I need a small break to plan and plot other stories floating around in my head. And eventually, when my writing talent hopefully matures some, I will be going back and editing this first train wreck to not look so horrid. I went back and read the first chapter and it's SOOOO much cringe. But I am only 15 and I still have a good bit of learning to do, so please bear with me :)

I know I say this like, every chapter, but I can't stress enough to everybody who leaves a nice comment and votes that you are awesome! You literally make my entire day and make me feel like I might be maybe doing something right. So thank you once more! You guys are my favorite people!

Okay, okay, I'm done rambling. I hope you've cried, I hope you've laughed, and I pray you haven't cringed as much as I have while reading this and where I'm going with this I'm not sure so I'm just going to stop talking now and let you read.

*Opens curtains dramatically with a finger snap and disappears into the darkness*

~

I don't remember falling asleep but my dream told me I did. Reil's empty stare gazes into mine, the glossed white orbs making me feel sick. After a moment, they start flickering back to a glare. She screams and her bloody fingers latch around my throat.

I gasp and open my eyes, staring up at the top of the bunk, painted with colorful abstract drawings Abby painted and was quite happy with. I look around the dim room and see Tucker in the lower bunk, knocked out as proved by his snoring. Cameron is a few bunks away and I see him shut his eyes. I get the subtle social cue of playing possum and leave him be, carefully rolling out of bed. My head still throbs but compared to how it felt before, I've improved. I don't remember getting back to the McAlister,  but I do remember crying. I couldn't get my tears under control and it took forever to change into a spare set of clothes, but I somehow managed and promptly wen to sleep.

I slip into the cockpit and the sunlight pouring through the window makes me want to go back to bed. I squint and walk forward until I land in the co-pilot's seat, staring out at the clouds drifting by us as we glide by them. Cody is leaning back in the pilot's seat, half asleep with his feet propped up on the dashboard. My presence stirs him and he looks over at me, forcing a small smile. I can see right past the exhaustion and strain to smile, knowing he wasn't in a happy mood, but I can't muster the strength to turn up the corners of my mouth either.

We're both silent, letting the stillness of the air remind us that we are going home. We won the war—the true king is on the throne, the accomplices of the Dark Queen are in jail or heading to their execution, and Reil is gone. All Lakarians are off Earth. We're going home. But what are we supposed to do when we're there?

I sigh and pull my knees to my chest, letting the oversized pajamas swallow me in its polyester fabric. "Cody," I say. "What happened when I blacked out at the castle?"

He watches his hands, thoughtful and looks like he's about to offer an excuse, but instead says, with some difficulty, "It was you."

I blink and furrow my brow. "What?"

He pauses a moment, stuttering as he tries to get his words out. "You—You took Reil out. I-I wasn't able to see much, but when she was about to kill me, your fire, like... exploded everywhere. I barely had time to look up and see Reil being completely pulverized and you stood there, watching her. She was flying around the room like she was in a pinball game and you were doing that. She didn't stand a chance. You were like... a god..." His voice trails off and he lowers his gaze.