The Darkest Time

Epilogue

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Slow down!" I yell at 3 kids running down a hall towards me. They see me and slow down, "What are you guy's doing?" 

"Playing tag. By the way," One of the kids pauses and pokes the kid next to him, "you're it." 

"I'm not gonna stop you from playing tag. You're kids and should be allowed to act like it. But, if you're gonna play, don't do it in a hallway. Someone could get hurt. Do it a few levels down, where there is room. Got it?" I sound like a mom. 

They nodded, paused they're game and headed towards the stairs. I watched them leave and smiled. 

After a minute, arms snaked around my waist. Ryan. 

"You're getting better with kids. After we're married, maybe we can have one of our own." Ryan says resting his head on my shoulder. I look at my ring finger with an engagement ring on it and smile. 

"Maybe. That is still way's away, though. Don't rush things." I feel Ryan nod his head on my shoulder. 

I see Gabriel come up the stairs, and Ryan lets go of me. Gabriel walks up to us with the phone Liam gave us 5 years ago. We've used it a lot in the past 3 years. Ruby and Liam do the same thing as us. Help kids. Liam and Ruby call us if there are kids near us who need our help. The security system we built around our bunker help us make sure people aren't snooping and to locate kids who've gone through the area. 

Gabriel walks up to me and hands me the phone. I look at him strangely since I don't usually answer the phone. He just nods so I put the phone to my ear. 

"What's up?" I ask. 

"Hi, Sasha." I recognize that voice.

"Zu? Thank goodness you're okay. I heard about what happened on the radio. Didn't buy it for a second. What's up?"

"Short answer. I was framed. Quick question. Are Ruby and Liam with you?" 

"No. Why would they be here and not at the haven. What happened?" I was getting worried. 

"They're missing. Now I need to go after them. I was hoping they were with you since you apparently had a base." That's not good. 

"I'm sorry but I wish you good luck. Stay safe, Suzume." 

"Ruby and Liam's community is called 'Haven'. What's yours called?" I smiled. 

"The 'forever psi oasis'. I'd love for you to visit." I smiled. 

"Me too. We need to catch up. But for now, I need to go. Bye Sasha." 

"Bye, Zu." Zu hung up. 

By now, Layla was standing next to Gabriel. Their fingers intertwined. Everyone looked at me, wanting to know what that was about. 

"That was Zu. She is going on another adventure to say the least." I handed the phone back to Gabriel. They nodded and I was left with Ryan. 

"Want to go watch the kids and keep them from destroying the place?" Ryan joked which made me laugh. 

"I'd love to." I intertwined my hand with Ryan's and we walked down the stairs to where majority of the kids were. 

Ryan and I sat on the sofa and some kids came up to us. One of the boy's named Jack handed me a book. 

"Could you read it to us?" I smiled and nodded. Ryan leaned his head on my shoulder as I opened the book to page 1 and started telling a story.