*Final chapter*

Jenn had, in fact, gotten the job done. See, while she was in the observation area opening all of the doors, she was also stealing all of their surveillance data. She had video and documents of everything they had been putting their prisoners through. She was able to put a ton of the footage together and broadcast it ALL OVER THE WORLD in one night. She set it on every channel on a continuous loop. No one could escape the torture these fledglings, vampyres and humans had been through. They couldn't deny it or claim ignorance anymore. It was out there. Every gory detail was being broadcast to every television in the world. I never really questioned how she did it. I never really got the chance to ask her. She left that night. There was a note in her room saying that she was sorry she didn't stay for Rosto's funeral but she couldn't watch them burn him. She wrote in the post scripture that she knew Kimmy and I would be able to understand. We did.

Unfortunately, Rosto wasn't the only one we were mourning. Colonel McKean had died and, in his last words, proclaimed Boudicca the heir to his city. Kamakura Bakufu was also slain, fighting alongside his men. He was the last true samurai and now he was gone. Marco died protecting the fledglings we had freed, he'd seen some soldiers following them and knew he had to do something. Several of our elders died, including Caltha, the only other person who knew about Lucas because she had read his past. It was distressing. About a third of our army had been taken out, but we'd taken out plenty of the opposition.

After the damage we'd done and the footage had been leaked, the government had very few options in terms of what they could do. The president released a statement claiming he had never known these "simple experiments" had progressed to such a level. A large number of scientists and military leaders were blamed as well as a couple of loud mouth politicians. They weren't fooling us. Something like this doesn't get hidden like that.

Regardless, technically we were all free. All calls to capture vamps and those on the watch list were no longer pursued. It didn't change the fear people felt when they saw vamps. No legal provisions were made to ensure that violence against vamps was illegal. After the first two days we had already heard of vigilante groups with KKK mentalities attacking and killing vamps and those seen fraternizing with them. Nyx was right, this wasn't over. But it was hard for me to keep moving.

"I don't understand," I sighed to Daydream one day, too tired to keep crying. "Why was Rosto killed if I had been meant to save him before?"

Daydream shook her head. "I really couldn't tell you hun." She stroked my hair. "We can't presume to know anything. It's out of our hands."

I sniffled and gave her a playful glare. "Can't you just tell me something supportive and pretend that it's true?"

"It's all very simple," Daydream sighed. "Rosto was kept alive in order to keep us together, to support you and to assist in bringing the knowledge of the facilities to our attention. He always knew that as soon as the mission was over he would be called back to Nyx's side."

I smiled. "That actually sounds pretty plausible."

Daydream nodded. "I thought so!" She sighed and held my face in her hands. "Mari, he's in a better place. He was brought to Nyx's land by Lucas so you know he got there in one piece. Now he gets to rest until he's needed again. You'll see him someday…just hopefully not soon."

She was right, I guessed. I knew I had to force myself out of this gloom and get out there. Many of my troops were going to stay in the underground city. I couldn't blame them. It was safe and they could live here happily. Many Sons of Erebus had grouped up as the city's militia. I envied them

I knew that I had to set out. My work wasn't done. Vampyres were still being hunted, just not technically by the government. Not that I believed the government had given up on experimenting on and harnessing vampyres. I also didn't believe that they'd let the PCs and Spies go so easy. They knew a lot, after all. But, what did I expect? Rome was not built in a day and a country could not be reshaped overnight. I had to get out there.

On about my fourth day in the medical building I decided to make a break for it. I decided that I was going to get to my room, pack my few belongings and get the hell out of there. I couldn't do goodbyes or argue with everyone. I was almost to my room when I ran into a tall man with grey eyes. "David, oh hi I…"I looked at the man more closely. He had scars in different places than David did and he had a mostly shaven head. David would never shave his auburn hair off…EVER. "You're not David," I chuckled, embarrassed.

"You're observant," he replied, grinning at me. He had the exact same smile as David even.

"So you must be Tyler."

"I am," he said, glancing down at my chest. "And you must be Mari. I've heard a lot about you. My brother has yet to shut up about you. Well…about anything really."

I smiled. I was still having trouble getting used to my beautiful mark across my chest. I had been staring at it in the mirror a lot. "Yes well, you and David have been apart a long time. He's got a lot to share." Tyler nodded. "Also…he's encountered some serious pain recently."

"So I've gathered," Tyler sighed, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jeans. "I mean…he won't talk about it but…I guess it's the twin thing. That and the whole thing where I've known him my whole life." He smiled at me. "You've been a big help to him. He seems…a lot stronger than when we were younger. He had leukemia at a young age so I got pretty used to taking care of him. Now he seems so…grown up. It's weird."

A wave of realization hit me. "He had leukemia? A blood disease?" Tyler nodded, giving me a knowing smile. "Which probably explains—"

"Why I was marked and he wasn't? Yeah, that was their thesis. Unfortunately for them, it was really hard to pinpoint exactly how that could have affected it but, between you and me, that's the only answer." Tyler chuckled. "Wacky twist of fate, huh? He wasn't marked but he was Bagged anyway. I guess some destinies are inescapable." He narrowed his eyes at me, pointedly.

"What's your ability? David never said," I demanded, getting the feeling he was getting at something.

Of course, he quickly managed to excuse himself saying that he'd take care of David and they'd be in touch with me. Those Norton boys were tricky characters. I had a feeling I'd like Tyler as much as I liked David.

I managed to make it to the door to my room without running into any of my friends. The other side of the door was another matter entirely. When I opened the door five faces stared back at me. Daydream sat in a chair in the back with Desmond standing behind her, his arms crossed. Gia was lounging on my bed, Connor sat on the edge of the bed and Erol was standing by the door.

"Going somewhere?" Daydream demanded coolly.

"What are you guys doing here?" I sputtered.

Erol crossed his arms and glared at me. "Gia told us you were planning on taking off without a goodbye let alone a companion or five."

I glared over at Gia. "What do you want from me?" Gia scoffed. "You know I'm psychic. Don't try to change who I am." She smiled playfully. That wouldn't stop me from feeling exasperated.

"Look, I need to go," I sighed to everyone. "And I can't take you guys with me. I don't want you guys to get into any trouble because of me."

Daydream grinned. "Remember what I told you the first night you were in the tunnels? We are trouble."

I rolled my eyes. "Nyx says there's still a lot that I need to do."

"Oh, look at her," Erol scoffed. "Marked for less than a week and suddenly she thinks she knows what Nyx wants." He smiled at me.

"I had a vision," Daydream sighed, answering my questioning stare. "You know, about what we're supposed to do now? Yeah, can't do much without me can you?"

"And Erol and I want to keep an eye on you," Gia added with a Cheshire grin. I opened my mouth to speak but I don't know why I bothered. "Yeah, yeah. I know. 'I won't be any good for either of you. I have to do all of this before I can even consider being with either of you. I couldn't put your hearts in danger.' I've heard this speech." I rolled my eyes. Frigging psychic.

Erol smiled. "Besides, we're not ready to stop fighting yet either. Gia and I have talked and…really you're going to need us." I glared at them both. Great, they were conspiring now. "Besides, you've got a long life ahead of you. There's time."

I moved my gaze to Desmond. Hoping he would be on my side. Don't know why I bothered. "Sorry kid. You're stuck with us."

"Fine," I growled, feeling seriously powerless. How did I go from respected leader to a powerless child so quickly? I looked over at Connor. "But you really shouldn't come. You should—"

"I should what?" Connor laughed. "I don't even know what my destiny is supposed to be. You're the only connection I have to whatever god governs me. Besides," he looked back at Daydream. "Apparently I had a vision about what we're going to do as well, so I'm already involved." He looked back to me. "Don't worry, they wrote down everything I said. Makes no sense to me but maybe you can take a crack at it."

I stared at the room full of people. People I apparently couldn't do without. Well crap, I thought. Everyone smiled as they saw me physically give in. "Well," I sighed. "I'm going to need to pack."

"Done," Daydream replied with a grin. "All of our stuff is already in Desmond's SUV."

I shook my head and laughed. It figured. "Fine! Let's get the hell out of here. We've got places to go, people to save."

Everyone stood and moved toward the door. "Wait!" Erol called. "C'mon Mari, we're starting an epic adventure. It deserves a line worthy of Whedon-dom."

I pursed my lips in thought then smiled up at my fellow geek. "I kinda want to slay the dragon."

Erol laughed. "Let's go to work!"

Gia rolled her eyes. "You two are idiots."

The End

*That's it. Bagged is over. If you want to keep going then read the sequel "Blessed". :-) Thanks for reading guys! You've been great!*