Me: So it's hard to believe that this is the end.

Dean: We had a lot of fun guys! :)

D'Anna: I can second that.

Brooke: And even though I have been lied to, kidnapped multiple times, and been in chains more than I ever wanted to be, it's been an adventure of a lifetime.

Kalyn: And I mean, c'mon, I'm here now so it makes everything better.

Solace: Psshhhhhh yea right.

Me: Solace...

Solace: Im sorry this is the last chapter I am bringing in the sarcasm until this is over.

Me: We want to thank everyone that takes time to read this. These people include Denow, Firefrostflare, Me Sees The Light, and many others you know who you are.

Solace: Now cut the sympathy Im dying here.

Dean: Once again, we do not own The Keeper of The Lost Cities or anything by Shannon Messenger.

D'Anna: Enjoy :)

Chapter 21: The Start of a New Beginning

I could begin with what happened when I arrived home in Havenfield that night. I could tell you there was a lot of hugging, crying, and joy. I could tell you that I was both relieved and sad that our little adventure had come to an end. But I will save you the drama. What you need to know is the aftermath: The start of a new beginning.

"Kalyn, generally you use a pencil to do your homework, not make holes in the desk," I said, as we sat in the library the week after exams.

School had started up again, and with midterms a week away I had had to really buckle down to pass. Kalyn was supposed to join after exams, however he insisted that he write the exams. I don't really think any of us were aware with how smart he was...but when he pulled out with the highest marks in the entire grade, well I guess we had a rude awakening. I tapped my fingers against the desk.

Brooke, Kalyn's voice sounded in my head, and I realized he was staring at me.

What is it? I asked turning back to my homework.

Meet me at Siren Rock after school. There's something I want to talk about.

Mmhmm sure. I said, poking the worksheet tediously.

"Can we go and eat lunch now?" Dean whined "I've had enough of this homework. Exams are over! Why can't we just relaxxxxx."

"We would all love to sit and lie on silk carpets and get fed like pigs, Dean- honey." Solace cooed "But there's a thing called reality?"

"That's not what I meant..."

Let's talk about things, then. D'Anna said.

"Like what?" Kalyn said.

Hmmm...what do you want to do when you grow up? Do you want a family?

"Psh, assuming we make it that far and don't get brutally dismembered on another Black Swan whoop-dee-doo mission. That would also assume the Black Swan wanted our extreme intelligence." Solace rolled her eyes.

"Ou ou ou I want to run a shop." Dean said "One that sells potions and contraptions. And I want a family. I want to have a boy named Bob, and I'll teach him tricks and fed him a-"

"Dean a kid is not a dog. And Im pretty sure you'll change your mind about the name thing." I chuckled. "Hmmm... I always wanted a sister, so maybe I'd want a daughter. Name wise... how about Sophie? That's a pretty cool name." I said. "And I mean I'm already a battle strategist mastermind."

"I want to make action figures." Kalyn said, eyes sparkling.

Solace laughed "I am not talking about my future. I don't want any kids, I mean Lite is a pain, and I have this baby cousin named Alden that is absolutley annoying...royal blood and what not. Psh I don't need royal blood. I'll be some rich lady with a mansion and five butlers." She snapped her fingers pretending to summon people.

D'Anna smiled I want to be a teacher.

And before we knew it, we had created intricate futures for ourselves, cracking up everytime we said something stupid. Before we knew it, lunch was already over, and Dean was complaining that he had eaten any food.

After school, I light leaped to Siren Rock to find that Kalyn was sitting alone in the tall grass.

Hey I said from behind and sat down beside him.

Hey He responded.

There was a silence, as we took in the setting sun.

It's finally over. I sighed No more secrets, no more lies, no more pain. And no more kidnapping.

Yeah... Kalyn sort of smiled, but he was hiding something, I knew it.

What is it? I asked Spit it out I know there's something on your mind.

Kalyn paused debating on whether or not to tell me or not. I'm going to join the Black Swan.

I think that was the point in time I fell over. YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT?! The thought shook both of our heads.

I'm going to enlist when we're 16. No matter how you see it Brooke, they saved us. They broke into a secure hideout, and they helped our parents. They would have saved me too-

-But they didn't...

That's not what Im trying to say...Our mission was a personal one. But there are more of them out there. People like the Mesmer?. And no matter how you see it, they aren't going to go away as we speak. That's the Black Swan's ultimate goal, to get rid of people like that. I don't want to just sit here and watch the world fall apart, Brooke. I want to be a part of something bigger than we could both ever imagine. If you could have a chance to change the world, would you?

I thought on this for a second. I don't know I said.

Well, think on it...but I've made up my mind. Kalyn said getting up I think you should join too. It would be a chance for something different.

Then with that, he light leaped away, leaving me alone speechless as night swallowed up the sky.

That night, I had a lot of thinking to do. My boneheaded brother actually wanted to join the very organization that I think I pretty much hated with my very existence. The fact that Kalyn was just willing to let go that they weren't going to come and save him was just unbelievable. The Black Swan organization was mean, cruel, selfish, and down right stupid.

Then the thought hit me: If the Black Swan was so stupid, then why did my parents join them?

The thought picked at me. Why did my parents join the Black Swan?

I couldn't sleep so I tip toed to my dad's office. I searched his office for anything that could give me a clue to anything. I found a small binder in the corner of his bookshelf almost swallowed up by the bigger books. It was engraved with a Black Swan. I flipped it open. It was a photo album.

The first page was a letter written by my mother. I only skimmed through it but I caught: I was malled by bears when I was 12. I thought I was going to die. But the Black Swan found me and saved me. They made me who I am today. I stiffened. I didn't know any of that. More secrets. I flipped again, only to find a letter from my dad. I didn't have a place to stay and The Black Swan offered me one. They offered me a chance to change the world, and I took it.

I stared at the binder. This binder was letters from Black Swan members about why they joined the Black Swan. I took the binder, and slipped out of the room. I had a feeling that once I uncovered what was in this binder, things were going to be a little different.

I was awakened with a big bucket of water dumped on my head. I think I screamed but I wasn't sure, because I was too busy lashing out to the person who had so rudely awakened me.

"Sweetheart," Solace said slyly "The next time you decide to sleep in and skip school, maybe you want to tell us first."

"I what?" I cried, sputtering.

Kalyn was sitting on my bed with his favourite action figure. "You did miss school Brooke, I didn't want to wake you though. Mom and Dad let you sleep too."

I stared from Solace to Kalyn in confusion. "Are...Dean and D'Anna here?"

"D'Anna's in your library." Solace said "And Dean is probably raiding your kitchen."

I laughed, before I heard my mother calling "Brooke, I made you and your friends mallowmelt!"

I eyed both my brother and my best friend. We were in the kitchen before you could say Firefox.

"This is the best!" Dean said

"I second that" Solace nodded

"Third." Kalyn laughed

Fourth.

I smiled at my friends as I looked across the table. This was what it was like to live a normal life. I had almost forgotten. But I liked it. I liked it a lot.

Some things in life are in your control. And some of them aren't. That's the thing, it's just the way life goes. I mean, you can't change how life decides it's going to work. There are things that you think you know, and things you can't even begin to imagine. And sometimes, it's okay to just accept it. Accept that no matter who you are or what you have, anything can be taken from you. You may not know it, or you may, but what you do about it will define you as a person. There are some things that are supposed to be kept secrets, and that's okay. There are some experiences that are embarrassing, some that are brave, some that are sad, and some that are amazing. And I think that no matter what happens, you just have to embrace the good memories. Because anything could happen at any time and take all those good things away from you. You just have to remember who you are, as a person, the good stuff, and I guess, for the time being the bad stuff will just slip out of our minds, still there, but at the same time, long forgotten.

The End.

Stay tuned~