We're finally at the end! Well, epilogue. :D I can't believe I started this fanfic nearly a year ago! Can you? Aw man, with every chapter I posted, I've waited for this day, for the day I roll out my big red carpet and show off my glamour and give my big speech.
First of all, I'd like to thank darkgirl11 for being there, giving me advice and listening to my ideas. You're always a true friend. :3 Second, I'd like to thank my reviewers and followers for joining me on this journey. You're all amazing, and I wouldn't be here without all of you.
Lastly, as I end this fanfic, this isn't goodbye. This fanfic has helped me find out things I didn't know about. I never would've made it if I had just tried. As I look back, I see how far I've grown as a writer and a person. And I hope this helps any future readers someday.
For every night spent writing each chapter. For every hope and dream, I'm glad to have everyone with me in this new adventure.
Eleven Years Later...
The bookstore was full to capacity. People meandered in and out, eyes scanning the shelves for certain titles. Murmurs traveled through the air like miniature fires hissing to life. Employees came in with a shipment of books, figurines and the like. A rack with calendars stood near the entrance; every calendar a different theme ranging from birds to pathways. The children's section was moderately quiet with the exception of the lively chatter amongst the children playing with the train set, or the parents conversing with each other.
A girl, not quite yet an adult, with ash-blonde hair and a book in her hands, ambled towards the growing line of customers that was headed straight for the table in the main center. Sitting in the chair was a man, almost thirty, with dark brown hair and dressed in a smoky gray suit. Right now he was almost through with a phone call.
"Yeah, I know," said Wirt, "I'll be home for dinner tonight, after this book signing gig is up."
"I'm so proud of you, honey," said his mother through the phone, "I love you."
"Love you, too, Mom," he replied. "Bye." He clicked his cellphone off and set it back down on the table. Clicking his pen, he turned his attention back to his fans.
"Hi!," piped a brunette girl, who looked to be about sixteen. She held out a copy of the graphic novel When Angels Fall.
"Who should I make this out to?," asked Wirt.
"Christine," she said, handing him her copy. Wirt opened it to the flyleaf page and scribbled in his signature.
"There you go," he said after he finished, holding out her signed copy.
Christine held the book to her heart, squealing in excitement, and trotted off, still in a crazed state.
"Talk about fangirl crazy," retorted the man next to him. He was almost forty, dressed in a black suit and had a little stubble. Blue eyes scanned the line intermittently while stealing a glance at Wirt.
"They're not so bad," remarked Wirt.
"Still." The man glanced down at the copies of graphic novels. The covers showed the main protagonist holding an artifact, behind him his friends, a dark-skinned girl and a pasty-skinned boy with mousy hair; next to them was a breathtaking angel with blood red hair with matching wings and striking blue eyes. The characters were standing against a starry night sky with the full moon taking up most of the sky. And the title in silver letters. When Angels Fall by Wirt Garner.
"So," said his agent, "what...inspired the idea for this story?"
"You wouldn't believe me even if you did," replied Wirt, handing out a signed copy to the next customer.
"Try me," declared the man.
"Nah, seriously, Dan," repeated Wirt, "you wouldn't believe me."
Dan quirked a brow. Wirt gave him a smile.
"I'd better catch a break," said Wirt, standing up. "Could you take over?"
"Yea, no problem."
Dan sat in the chair after Wirt got up. As soon as he grabbed the pen, Wirt quickly ambled away, disappearing into the endlessness of bookcases.
He mostly strolled aimlessly, eyes scanning through titles in no particular order. Most of the fans who recognized him asked to take pictures with him. Wirt obliged and made small talk. When it was finished, he continued with his walk.
I really did it. A smile crossed his lips as he walked into the historical-fiction section. As he continued with his stroll he made a mental list of things to do.
Greg's finishing his first semester of college. Dinner at home at 7. Tomorrow, meet Sara and the gang at the coffee shop. I hear she just got engaged. She and Connor deserve each other. That's the least I could say about myself.
Through his college years Wirt dated, but they never lasted long. It was mostly just a fling here, a one-night stand there. His last date was three years ago. Wirt was fine the way he was. The way things were going with his graphic novel, he figured he was okay with living a nonexistent love life. Everything was fine.
"Excuse me."
Wirt turned around. A boy, about seventeen, with blonde hair and green eyes, gazed at him. In his hands was a copy of his graphic novel, When Angels Fall.
"Hi," said Wirt. "You a fan?"
"Yeah!," he piped. "Can you...?"
"Autograph it?," he finished for him, searching his pocket for a pen.
"Yeah." The boy blushed sheepishly. He handed Wirt the book and Wirt opened it to the blank page.
"To...?"
"'To my biggest fan, Trent,'" said the boy.
Wirt scribbled in his requested message and handed it back to the boy.
"Thanks," said Trent, eyes alight with excitement.
"You're welcome," retorted Wirt.
"Hey," piped Trent, nervously.
"Yeah?"
"I really like your work."
"Aww thanks," said Wirt.
"I really like the angels in this story," said Trent. "You make them seem human. Especially him." Trent pointed to the angel on the cover. The redheaded one.
"Oh, Enyhrye?," offered Wirt, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, him." Trent couldn't figure which words to use or which sounded more eloquent. Speaking to an author was making the experience more thrilling. "What inspired him?"
"That," began Wirt, reflectively, "that is a long story."
"Will it take long?"
"Well, the short answer is, the angel was inspired by a friend of mine I met years ago."
"Cool."
"Yeah." Wirt's eyes misted up. "I miss him a lot."
Trent felt he had to change the subject. "Well," he said, "thank you for autographing my book. You're my hero."
"Aw, it was nothing," uttered Wirt, feeling sheepish himself.
"Really," retorted Trent, "and the tagline—"he turned the book over to the back and pointed to the top. "—'When angels fall, you'd better believe it.' That's so awesome."
"Thank you," chuckled Wirt.
"No problem," cheeped Trent. "See ya." He ambled away, waving to him. Wirt waved back. He checked his watch.
"I should probably get back to the book signing," he said to himself.
On his way he passed the graphic novel section, and his was on the podium for new releases. While Wirt first wanted to use a pen name, he decided to give the name to his main character. Chase Brooks, a boy who encounters an angel in the forest. The plot line was basically related to that summer years ago when he met Ereyon. Ever since then, he dedicated his college years writing this novel. Such were his art skills, he elaborated a gripping storyline. After over ten years of hard work and dedication, he finally published his graphic novel. Although he made a few changes to his novel. Such as names and making up dimensions and mythical creatures to join the plot line.
The reason for publishing it under his real name was to show everyone who he really was. He was no longer that sad child with a broken past. He was Wirt Garner, graphic novelist, poet and clarinetist. He made a website where he could publish short comics and soundtracks to songs he wrote. There was a song from When Angels Fall published on his website. It was very popular as of now.
Wirt almost reached his destination when something caught his eye. It was a flash of red. Red hair. His eyes widened. He recognized that red hair. He'd seen other redheads, but that was one shade of red he never forgot.
Wirt followed him down an aisle. Past the vinyl record collection. Through the other side of the bookstore. And finally to the CD section. Wirt followed the redhead through the collection of new age CD collections. The redhead ran his hand across the CDs, unaware of Wirt's presence.
He couldn't be. He looked the same as he did the last time he saw him. Only he was dressed in black. And his red hair was the same shade of red and just the same length. If you put wings on him, he'd look like the angel character in his graphic novel. He'd even look like...
"Ereyon?"
The man looked over his shoulder. The man's blue eyes were bluer than any blue he'd ever seen. They reminded him of the sea. Of blue sapphires. The man spun around, letting Wirt see his whole face. He was as Wirt remembered. He hadn't aged a day. He was just as he remembered. Except now that Wirt was three inches taller, he and Ereyon were almost the same height.
"Hello, Wirt," spoke Ereyon plainly. His voice was as clear as a bell. The same pitch as he remembered.
Wirt's heart leaped in place. It might've even skipped three beats. This was no dream or illusion. This was real. Ereyon was real. He was here. Wirt never expected to see him again in his lifetime, but he was proven wrong. And he was glad.
All was well.
Wasn't that sweet? *squeals* But really, having Wirt write this into a graphic novel was all part of the plot line. XD And anyways, there's one question that's been floating around and I don't want to keep you in suspense. Was Wirt in love with Ereyon? *bursts into giggles* That was pretty obvious, but I don't really do that. I thought it was better to have Ereyon leave to go through his sentence. You see, Wirt had to let him go in order to let go of his past.
As I'm ending this story, I'd happy with the ending the way it is. It's how I planned to end it. I thought about discontinuing this story, but I didn't. It was the hope of finishing this fanfic that kept me going. And finishing it for darkgirl11. (Plus, myself). ^_^
Another magnum opus completed and ready to join the rest of my great works.
Until next time.