Of Demons and Darkness

Epilogue - A New Start

The sunshine, warm and golden, washed over the young girl's face as the ocean tickled her tiny feet.  A salty sea breeze played magically with her curly black hair as the briny air filled her nostrils.  Behind her, three of her closest friends busied themselves with building the biggest, grandest sand castle ever seen; laughter and child-giggles filling her ears.  

McKenzie Martina Derringer and her family enjoyed spending time here on the beach for summer vacation every year since her adoption.  How Kenzi became a member of this family remained ever the mystery to her.  It had been nearly three years since that amazing day when a small, imposing woman had taken her from the foster home she had stayed in shortly after her mother's death and her father's disappearance and introduced her to Paul and Melissa Derringer; the wonderful, amazing loving couple who had brought the hurting little waif of nine years into their home and made her part of the family.  She had never seen the small woman again, but was thankful she found the Derringers and helped them adopt her.  

"Kenzi!"  Her mother called out to the daydreaming young teenager.  "Can you give me a hand here, please?"

"Sure Mom!"  Kenzi replied cheerfully as she jogged over to where her mother struggled with a small, but heavy box.  

"Thanks, baby-girl."  Misty said.  "What were you thinking about over there, honey?  You looked like you were a million miles away."

"Oh nothing, Mom."  Kenzi replied.  "Just thinking about the day you found me, and the small, older woman who brought me home, that's all."

"You've been thinking about that day quite a bit of late."  Misty said as she secured the small box in the back of the SUV.  "You're father and I have told you all we know about her...and that wasn't much."

"I know Mom."  McKenzie stated.  "You can't tell something you don't know too much about, and I'm okay with that.  I just wish I knew more."

"In time, sweet-pea, you will."  Misty said.  "I promise.  Now grab your brothers and sister and come on.  We'll be late picking you father up from the airport."

"Time to herd the kids."  McKenzie crowed excitedly.  "Elijah...Chris...Sara!!!  Time to go!!  Daddy's coming home!!"

"YAY!!!"  Kenzi's three younger siblings hollered as they raced for their mother's awaiting vehicle.  Giggling and laughter filled the air as Misty gathered her young brood and secured them into their seats.

"McKenzie!!!"  Misty called out to her wandering daughter.  "Let's go!!!"

"Coming Mom!!"  Kenzi yelled back.  As she turned, the young girl nearly took out a man jogging on the boardwalk.  

"Whoa!!!"  He shouted as he adjusted his stride so as not to run the poor girl over.  "Where's the fire?"

"Sorry sir!!"  Kenzi called.  "My Mom's calling me! I'll pay closer attention next time!  Byeeee!"

The man, tall, lanky with shaggy blond hair and icy blue eyes smiled at the young, raven-haired girl as she took off at a dead run for her ride and waved his good-bye to her.  His equally scruffy dog wagged his tail delightedly at the girl as if he recognized her by scent.  

"I know, boy."  The man said.  "She can't know who we are, buddy.  As much as I want to hug the stuffings out of her, we can't.  It's the way it has to be.  Time to head home.  Fern's coming over for dinner tonight."

At the mention of his favorite female human's name, the scraggly canine started to bounce excitedly at his owner, eliciting a bark of laughter from the man he ran with in his pack.  

"Easy there, killer!"  He crowed.  "Don't break a hip there, old man!"  

The happy-go-lucky dog barked happily as he and his human began to jog again...perhaps a bit faster than previously paced.  Shifting his stride to run in reverse, the blond man watched sadly as the SUV carrying the young girl with long, curl black hair moved off in the opposite direction away from him.  A heavy sigh escaped as he realized that this might be the last time he'd see her again.  

You are finally safe, sweet-pea...In my heart forever and always, baby-girl!  In time, you will remember the truth and in that remembrance, you will find your freedom as I have found mine.    

But destiny has a way of changing the rules...