chronometer

epilogue - rebirth (2)

um, hi, it's been a while. i did promise an alternate ending, so here you go.

//

Mitch leaves me by the door and disappears briefly. The fire hasn't reached this side of the house yet. When he comes back, he holds a different capsule in his hands. I read the screen, and close my eyes with a sincere smile. One million years are about to be returned to the people. He sits next to me, shuffling the device around in his hands. "My birthdate unlocked the vault. He's so vacant." We both laugh, and the atmosphere returns to as normal as it can be.

The next few minutes are spent discussing the future. I tune out the sirens that are slowly increasing in volume, decreasing in distance. Mitch rests his head on my shoulder as we talk, and it isn't long before we've reached a mutual understanding about ourselves and what's ahead.

When Avi pulls up, I meet him at the door. He looks shocked at the state of the house, of Mitch and I, but I see the pride hidden behind his gaze.

Sirens are blaring in the distance. It's a grim reminder that there's no doubt our criminal record will continue to soar to unimaginable heights, but it's not like we haven't been able to make it this far with blood on our names. Mitch and I quickly take a few years from the capsule taken from the vault, and leave the rest on there for where we're planning on taking it.

We're eerily calm. Mitch is well aware of the fact that he just killed his own father, and I may not know him well enough, but I know somehow being able to finally put the trauma that he suffered as an adolescent to rest by eliminating the source has given him hope for the future. I know he doesn't care about being a criminal.

He cares about being free.

We climb into Avi's car and take off in the opposite direction of the sirens. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have to; he wants to get us to safety first. Mitch is staring at the top of his knees -- or the floor, maybe -- and I debate on disturbing him. All I do in the moment is reach over to gently rest my hand on his leg. His lips quirk again just like they did before we left to take care of Mike.

"We'll be okay, Mitchy."

"I know."

//

We pack the next morning to leave Avi's house because we can't risk him being thrown into the mess of our lives in which we created. And he is so, so proud of us because he know that in our crimes shines victory. I've always focused on the fact that this whole time we've been doing bad for good. For mom. For Mitch.

We hop in Avi's spare, beaten down car. It's enough to get us to where we're going. We plan on going far from any city limits, somewhere in the far suburbs of a city where no cops would think to find us. If they did, we'd run. And we'll continue to run until our time runs out. Strangely enough, I'm not afraid of dying. It's cliche, but I was afraid of dying before being able to save other deserving lives.

Before we make our subtle escape into non-existence, I drop off the capsule holding well over a million years at the bank in town. A million years being distributed back to the poor. Lives being saved.

I make sure to make one more visit with an extra capsule in my hand. I place the little black box holding twenty extra years on a small, flowery grave in a tiny backyard. I hope she uses it on the other side.

Mitch and I make an abandoned cabin in a small forest our home. We use the supplies we have to fit it up over the course of two weeks, to furnish it with the help of Avi bringing us the items, and to make it our refuge.

The first night it's completed, we make love. With the windows seeping light onto Mitch's dewy skin, I decide that I would give my life up for someone as treasurable as him to fly free. It's almost too easy to make that choice. If I could spend every waking moment of my life holding this man in my arms, I would be more than content.

After the fact he has his head resting on my crossed legs, staring up at the moon with curious eyes.

"Scott?" He whispers, rubbing the fabric of my sweatpants between his fingers.

"Yes, angel?"

"If there's some kind of ultimate being above, do you think they'll like us once we go see them?"

I can't help but laugh a little, "Maybe, Mitchy. They might be troubled at first."

The next thing he says changes the subject completely; he takes me by surprise.

"Have I ever told you how much your mother must be proud of you, Scott?"

"No," I whisper, "you haven't."

"She gave birth to such a brave human man. She is so proud of you, I know it."

I'm shocked because Mitch has never been someone great with speaking. He's always been actions, and I can feel my eyes getting misty at the weight of his words. I thank him so many times I lose count, and I only stop when I think he's beginning to grow a mix between annoyed and amused with me.

We both grow tired, and it isn't long before we're nestled under a comforter and watching the stars appear in the black sky.

"Scott?"

"Yes, Mitch?"

"Do you know who has the key?"

I smile.

"I do, Mitch."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. So much."

I wouldn't be upset if time ran out. As long as I got to keep this beaming ray of sun in my hands, all time would cease to matter.

With him, time never exists.

END.

//

i hope you guys liked this little alternate ending, i felt liked i owed it to y'all to come through even though i don't write much anymore. xoxo quinn