INKWORLD

EPILOGUE

August 3, 2104

It's 2104, nine years since our return to earth. After Erik's death, things became easier.

The scientist had been working on an experiment for the ink while in Inkwell, it seemed they too constantly thought of earth, or perhaps they wanted to be ready if the ink returned to Inkwell. The leaf that Victoria's father discovered-that slowed down the effects of the ink in the body-helped a lot in enhancing the drugs they had created before.

Wunmi tried to explain the technicalities to me but it was all science jargon I didn't understand. I was just glad we could get back earth.

The scientists created a genetically engineered bacteria to eat up the ink on earth. It took three years before earth could be inhabited again. During that time, we transported the remaining survivors we could find on earth to Inkwell and gave them the cure. A lot of people reunited with their families and I cried so much that day that I fell sick the next day.

We never saw Victoria or her father again even when we were rounding up survivors to take to Inkwell. I constantly wondered what had happened to them.

Ben survived the gunshot wound but was badly injured. The ink seeping into the wound didn't help matters and soon, he became infected. We got the cure in time to him but he still has a scar on his chest as a result of the wound.

The people on Inkwell were both surprised and horrified about our experience on earth, when we told them stories of all that happened. Some people pitied Erik Coal, they seemed to understand what had pushed him to doing all he did, he was just trying to right his wrong but most people didn't care about him. They were glad he was gone.

After the ink all disappeared, some of us returned to earth to live in it. Some refused to return and decided to remain on Inkwell. People weren't sure of earth's safety and preferred to stay on Inkwell where they didn't have to fear the ink returning.

Mrs. Abimbola's husband was among those who refused to return to earth with us. He also refused to let me take Shewa, his daughter. It caused a fight between me and him. Shewa was like a sister to me but as much as I wanted to take her, I couldn't separate her from her father. So, despite my reluctance, I left her behind.

On earth, it was like starting again but unlike Inkwell, where everything was new for us, on earth, it was like threading on familiar grounds. Some of the buildings needed to be rebuilt but the structures gave us comfort. We started by gathering all RICCO CORP's inventions and destroying it.

Wunmi had another child and Philomena, Caleb's wife gave birth to twin boys. When we returned to Inkwell, Caleb had hovered around me for the first few days. From the worry lines around his eyes, I knew he had been worrying about me. His friendship was something I couldn't take for granted.

Our return to earth left a bittersweet feeling in our hearts. We had so many memories on this land, good and bad. We built a monument to honour all those we had lost. We couldn't inscribe all their names on it so everyone wrote the names of those they had lost on a piece of paper and the papers were buried underneath the monument.

It has taken years to rebuild earth and we are still rebuilding it. We are learning to grow plants. We planted some trees we had brought from Inkwell and surprisingly, a few years after the ink was gone, a few familiar crops had started growing.

A few of the animals we had before the ink had also returned, we didn't know how it happened or where they returned from, but we were all glad they did. Just last week Wunmi and I had seen a chicken and we had acted like children in a candy store. Caleb was laughing at us, even though he had been excited when he saw a dog a few weeks ago. The dog was now living with him and his family as a pet.

A year ago, I had stepped down as president of earth. Though we left Inkwell, the people had insisted I remained in leadership with my advisers. We led like it was on Inkwell, with different heads in each continent and each head answering to our leadership.

A year ago, after eight years of leadership on earth, I resigned for someone else to take over. Each continent had put forth a leader and we had voted for who would succeed me. John Lewis, from Europe, was now president of earth. He was a good man and was hardworking. He kept me as his adviser to advice him on certain issues.

I know what you are all wondering, did Tobi survive? Yes, he did. The effect of the leaf had worn off which was why the ink had affected him. Luckily, we got the cure to him before he died. He lost a lot of blood and had to rest for a while before he fully recovered.

When he recovered, he involved himself in the work of getting the ink off earth and after we returned to earth, he was actively involved in every available work. He had fought with his step father over taking Shewa, his only family left, but had to give in and leave Shewa behind in Inkwell. He now works in the presidency house. Two years ago, we got married and we are now living happily.

***
I stood on a mountain, gazing at the stretch of land in front of me. A lot had happened in the last 20 years, so much I could hardly believe it. I sniffed as a tear rolled down my cheeks.

"I've been looking for you," Tobi said as he wrapped his hands around my swollen stomach. "I somehow guessed you would be here."

I giggled as he buried his head in my neck, placing small kisses on my skin. It felt good to be back on earth. It felt good to be truly home.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Who else is wiping tears from their eyes? 😫😭 Everything is finally over. They conquered. They are fine. After everything, they came out victorious. 🎆🎊

Were you afraid Tobi was gone for good when Ivy didn't mention him in the beginning? Happy he is back or wishing he died?

What do you think of the whole series? Did you enjoy it. Don't forget to vote and comment. Share with your friends and follow my profile to get more updates on interesting stories.

©Jesutofunmi Fekoya