Underlying Truths

Underlying Truths - Epilogue

This epilogue deviated from my original plan xS

Oh well. I still like it.

HAPPY ENDINGS :D

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Underlying Truths - Epilogue

"Mmmmm," I moaned in content as I sunk further down into the bright, yellow beach chair placed near the lakeshore.

Large, dark brown sunglasses covered my eyes though, at the moment, my eyes were closed shut as my muscles unwound and I breathed in the clean, fresh air. Soon, the sun would set and my glasses would serve no purpose. For now, I soaked up what was left of the sun in my plain teal tank top and white shorts. My hand held a covered plastic cup of homemade lemon iced tea, its cool temperature feeling just right with the moment, a straw sticking out of its top.

The bungalows by the lake were still a family-favorite spot for summer outings. I held no bad memories about the place and probably never will. Despite what had happened at this very same place last summer, I couldn't hold a single occurrence against over more than a lifetime's worth of amazing and unforgettable memories. I loved this place as much as I had when I was a kid. Hopefully, with time, that love will only grow stronger.

"Enjoying the barbecue?" I hear a voice ask as someone sat down on the sand next to my beach chair.

"Mhmm," I mumbled out as I took a sip of my drink. I loved the icy feeling of my drink as it slid down my throat, the heat around me causing me shiver as the

tingle of the cool drink spread throughout my chest. "What brings you away from the unlit bonfire and to my side, dear Will?"

I leaned on the right arm of my chair to look at him with a grin. I slid my sunglasses onto my head as I saw him smiling up at me.

"Just wanted to let you know that he'll be arriving soon," Will said casually with a shrug.

His gaze was then diverted to the lake in front of us as I mimicked his actions. I leaned back into my chair and stared out to the wide expanse of water, not bothering to lower my sunglasses back over my eyes. The water was a dark blue with a tinge of green, glimmering in the sunlight. Occasionally, it would catch a ray of light just right and the surface would sparkle.

I sighed after a few seconds, not exactly knowing what to expect. I hadn't seen Spencer in what was nearing a year. After the incident last summer, Spencer was sentenced to a stint in a mental facility (it's classification much harsher than its reality) until he was declared mentally stable. Following his admission into the facility, I was swept away in work and had no time to visit him while he was still within reasonable driving distance. But before I knew it, Greg was on his way back home and Spencer was transferring to a facility nearer to where his brother lived so that Greg could keep an eye on him. Their house across the street from my parents' was locked up and left abandoned for the time being. More than once, I was tempted to go and visit Spencer, but, at the time, I was told he wasn't ready to face me yet. When I finally got the call from Greg saying that I could finally come and visit Spencer, I was already moving back onto my college campus that was states away, translating into hundreds of miles.

"Have you talked to him yet?" I asked Will.

I tilted my face to the side, staring intently on his face. His head didn't turn to acknowledge me.

Squinting at what was before him, he answered, "A couple of times. Over the phone."

"Does he still hate me?" I asked in a whisper.

Those five words were all it took for Will's head to snap towards me and meet my gaze with his own.

"Of course not. He doesn't hate you, Carina. Its just..." Will paused to rethink his words.