Felt inspired to add some PTSD fun, and I haven't written anything in ages. So here's a little addition to this big conclusive story. An epilogue to the epilogue!
Odd, Ulrich and Aelita sat quietly around their kitchen table, in their cozy row home in Bolougne-Billancourt, as the night sky hosted a fury of fireworks over a rebuilt, metropolitan downtown Paris in the distance.
Aelita's eyes watched the reflections of the explosions dance off of the shiny top trussing of the distant Eiffel Tower, repainted, and revitalized as the surviving jewel of France's crown.
It had been exactly one year since the ultimate liberation of Europe, and as the glass and steel and concrete and brick was steadily rebuilt and put back into place, and life was breathed back into the country, the memories of a mysterious, formidable terror still remained. Haunting those who fought, fled, and survived it, and relentlessly plaguing the very individuals who brought about its demise in every shadow, and every restless dark night.
Odd, head on his arm, eyed Aelita as she sat in silence, her face held in a slight grimace.
"Aelita." He whispered.
Her eyes flicked over to his face, and her expression softened slightly as Ulrich turned his head, both of them watching her.
"You okay?"
She leaned her head back, lips parting for a moment.
"Thinking."
Their attentions perked to the shrill whistling of several rockets shooting upwards outside, and for a moment, the three of them eyed the ceiling.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
Jumping out of her skin, Aelita exhaled from the sudden loud concussions of local fireworks, and stood from her chair as several expletives left both of the men's mouths.
Odd's eyebrows rose as she turned and walked from the kitchen and disappeared into the dark hallway behind, and then he traded a glance with Ulrich.
*BANG*
*BANG*
Aelita grew uneasy as several more explosions ensued through the open windows in the house, creating eerie flashes of light ahead and behind.
Pausing, and touching the wall with her outstretched hand, her fingers ran down the drywall, before dropping to her side again.
Taking several steps forward into the darkness, she collided with a previously unseen hallway table, and her foot, having found its way around one if its legs, jerked out from under her and brought her and the table both into a tumble, sending several objects flying as a yelp burst out of her mouth.
Her head jerked upward from bouncing onto the wood floor, and the table landed onto her backside, temporarily pinning her down as she lay stunned from the impact.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
The impacts of several high explosive bombs outside brought Aelita's eyes wide open as the concussions rocked her ears, and then a procession of machine gun fire began, forcing her to push herself up off the floor, looking around from the flashes in genuine terror as the crunch of furniture, probably from flying debris, cascaded behind her.
"Oh shit, ohhhh shit we're under ATTACK!"
Scrambling up to her feet, Aelita stumbled down the dark hallway, recoiling from the continued shelling of bombs and artillery.
"Odd! Ulrich! They're fucking BOMBING the area! They're bombing the monsters but they don't even know WE ARE DOWN HERE!"
Screeching around the corner into the dimly lit family room, her eyes swiftly found the glass display case of their firearms, and she stomped towards it, lifting the glass front open, and hoisting her gigantic scoped rifle off of its mounts.
Heart racing, and breathing heavily, she sunk to her knees and laid the rifle upon her legs, jerking the magazine out of it, only to stare at the empty container in her hand in shock.
"Oh no."
Her finger shakily pushed the sprung plate deeper into the empty magazine, confirming the complete lack of bullets within.
"Ohhhh noooo."
Her spine grew cold, and her hands sank down in front of her.
I don't have anything... I can't do anything...
Pushing the magazine back into the rifle, she clutched the useless firearm, bringing it up against her chest, and shivering as she held onto it, flinching from explosions of destruction still ringing out outside of her home.
I haven't run out of bullets since...
Flashback:
A younger, weary Aelita limped along a now-quiet street, blood drying around a laser wound on her lower leg.
The AS50 rifle, officially depleted of its .50BMG ammunition supply, was now an empty 30lb hunk of steel that could no longer protect her, strapped over her shoulder.
What do I do...?
Looking over her shoulder at the muzzle brake on the barrel, her heart sank along with a heavy sigh.
All it took was one deadly skirmish, and the last twelve bullets, gone.
Should I leave it behind?
Staring tiredly into the distance, she then shook her head.
Maybe i'll find more... Its helped me this far.
"Fuck..." She whispered, choking up from the utter desperation.
Crawling over to the nearby corner by the armchair, she leaned back against the wall, shutting her eyes, and holding the weapon tightly, waiting for the inevitable explosion to level the house around her.
"Aelita!"
Producing a whimper, she looked up through blurry, frightened eyes as Odd crouched down in front of her, putting his arms on her shoulders.
"Aelita, hey! Its alright. Its just fireworks."
Staring at Odd's face, she shook her head in denial.
"They're launching fireworks, sweetheart. There's no bombs or rockets or lasers or anything."
"But..." She began, only to watch as Odd put his finger to her lips.
"There's nothing to be afraid of. There's no more war."
Curling his fingers around her rifle, he sighed as her head sank.
"I'm going to put this back, okay?"
With a slight tug, her hands released the firearm, and Odd swiftly put it back into the case, shutting the glass door in front of it.
Returning to her, his arms then surrounded her in a hug, and they embraced tightly.
"Odd..." She breathed.
He rubbed his hand along her back.
"...I haven't been this scared in so long. I really thought we were going to die."
"Nobody's dying while I'm around." He whispered.
Nuzzling him, she then watched as Ulrich appeared by the corner of the hallway, looking distraught.
"Have either of you seen Yumi? I heard her scream. Where is she? Is she alright?"
Odd turned his head, exhaling sadly.
"I don't know where she is."
The brunette's expression grew pained, and he looked at Aelita, but she simply shook her head.
"I wish I knew where Yumi was. I'm so sorry Ulrich..."
He nodded silently, tears drifting down his face.
"Its okay... Someday we'll find her again."
He slowly slid down along the wall, slumping onto the floor.
"I know we will."
Three heavy sighs filled the room, and Odd helped Aelita over next to Ulrich, sitting between them, and bringing both of them into an embrace with each arm.
"Don't worry good buddy. She'll turn up someday."
Leaning his head upon Aelita's shoulder, and feeling her lean her head onto him to match, his eyes rose to the nearby window, joining them both in watching the night sky beyond.
"In the meantime, we're all going to be alright... Okay?"
"Yes."
"Yeah." Ulrich whispered.
"I mean, we survived Xana. I think we can make it through anything now."
All three of them nodded.
"I sure hope so."
End. :)