Epilogue: Six Months Later
I tossed the shopping bags into the trunk of my car and closed it. The sun shone brightly as I looked around the mall parking lot. It was crowded, which did not surprise me as it was a beautiful sunny Saturday. It had been six months since I had done my part in retrieving the Piece of Eden from New Orleans and much had changed. I had learned to actually drive and gotten my license and a car. It had given me a freedom that I never knew I really desired.
I jumped in my car and cranked the engine. Backing out of the spot and pulling onto the main road, I looked at the beach and the gulf. I was not that far from the group home I had spent several years in before. But I tried not to think about those bad times, instead I thought to my house which felt more like home than any place before it. I also thought of how Rebecca would not be there when I got home.
Two months ago, Rebecca had been called away by William. All I knew was that she was in the upper Midwest somewhere, deep undercover in a new Abstergo facility. I missed her a lot. In the four months that we spent together before she got called away, we had grown very close. It had started to feel like we were becoming more than just friends or allies, and it felt good. But that also meant that I was hurt when she had to leave. I, of course, knew it would happen eventually and I knew she would be back, but I just didn't know when. I got a call from her about once a week, but the conversations were always vague as Rebecca didn't want to risk anything being overheard if her phone line ever got tapped.
I had the top down on my car as I cruised down the road, the wind whipping through my hair, and the music cranked up. It had been a while since I treated myself to any kind of shopping other than food and it felt kind of good to just blow some money on new clothes.
I got back to my house about an hour later and tossed the clothes on my bed before flopping down on the sofa to watch television. I did that a lot since Rebecca had to leave, always missing her any time I would put a movie on as late night movies had been our thing. She was supposed to call me later on tonight. It gave me something to look forward to, even though I already knew much of the conversation would be like every other time she called since she left. It would be good just to hear her voice again though.
The house felt empty and I felt lonely. I think that was why I treated myself to the shopping trip, to try to alleviate that feeling and it had worked…for a moment, but now that I was back home that feeling crept back. I guess I was just not good at being alone after having someone here so long.
My phone rang late at night as I knew it would. It was Rebecca and as I knew it would, just talking to her made me feel better, no matter how vague the conversation was. That was just something I was going to have to get used to until she was able to come back. After all, I was an Assassin, and that meant I would be alone sometimes, but it was my life. I was born into this without even knowing it, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I had met wonderful people and risked my life for something worth fighting for. I did not know what the future would hold for me, but I would continue to train and hone my skills so that when I was next called to action, I would be ready for whatever was thrown at me.
Witchy's notes.
Well here it is. The final part of this tale. This was one of the more difficult fics for me to write. Between the pandemic that this whole world is currently dealing with, to me having gone on a many month hiatus from writing this. Even though this did not get the traction that some of my others did, I am still so happy and so thankful to those that did read and enjoy this story. As I said at the end of the last chapter, I feel both happy and sad that this story is over. I feel that after every completed story. Happy that people enjoyed reading it, but saddened that that tale has come to an end…but is it really over? The answer to that is no, it is not. I am not finished with Madison Gratton, not at all. I have plans for a sequel to this story. A sequel that will take us out the gulf coast and to the place that I called home for 30 years, a place that I dearly miss. I cannot give a timeline on when I will start writing it, as I am still in the beginning stages of outlining it, but I cannot wait to get started. Until that time comes, I want to thank every single person who read this tale. You all mean the world to me and I love all of you.