"Daughters of Isis"
By: Heikou and JanimeLee
Epilogue
Tea Gardner pulled out the cardboard box from the back of her closet. "What the heck is in here?" she muttered then coughed as the dust flew into the air. She carried the box out of her closet and set it on her bed. She took the lid off and peered inside.
"Oh God!" the twelve-year-old girl laughed at the childhood drawings. She grabbed a handful and pulled them out. I can't believe I drew these, Tea thought as she went through the pictures.
"Tea, lunch is ready," her mother said as she walked into the room. "What are you looking at?"
"I found these in my closet," Tea showed her a picture of a girl standing next to a horse. "I was still in kindergarten when I drew these."
"You were rather artistic at that age," her mother smiled.
Tea shook her head and picked up another picture. It had a large silver-colored circle with three girls outlined in blue, red, and gold. Tea looked on the back. "I was five when I drew this…"
"That was one of your favorite pictures," Kate said. "It must have stayed on the refrigerator for over a year, and you still made a fuss about taking it down and putting it away for safe keeping." She chuckled at the memory. "You said that they were sisters and they danced around the moon."
The young girl frowned but she remember it. Even now she didn't want to put it back in the box.
Kate noticed the look on her daughter's face and smiled. "Why don't you hang it and this weekend we can get a frame for it," she said.
Tea looked at her and smiled happily. "Thanks mom!" Setting the drawing on her desk they headed downstairs to eat some lunch.
--
"Cheri, be careful."
"Yes, mom," the eleven-year-old girl answered as she climbed higher on the jungle-gym. There were very few children playing today and Cheri considered it a good thing. Plus her mom had taken today off especially for her so that they could spend some time together.
Cheri paused near the top of the gym and enjoyed the view of the park from her perch. Things always looked different when you were looking at them from a higher point.
She smiled as she reached the top and carefully sat on the bar. She felt on top of the world! "Mom look at me!" she called out to her.
Rose smiled and waved but watched carefully. What was it about her daughter and high places? "Remember, be careful!" she called to her.
"I am being careful!" She continued to sit there, looking at everyone and everything. As she idly kicked her legs she saw a car park, and two people got out. Then the backdoor opened and a little girl (well everyone looker smaller) came out. The new girl seemed scared and stuck close with the adults. I wonder if she moved here, the brunette thought.
The adults pointed to the other kid and went to sit on a bench close by. The new girl just stood there, unsure before very slowly heading towards the park equipment but instead of joining the others she just stood there. Cheri frowned but began climbing down. If no one was going to play with her then she would!
Keriam watched the few other children go about the park playground. Her step-father's voice started in her head again and she quickly went over to her aunt and uncle, and sat between them on the bench.
"Honey, aren't you going to play?" Zack asked. A shaking head was his answer.
"Just take your time, sweetie, it's alright," Terry said and patted her niece's arm, noticing how Keriam tried not to flinch.
Zack and Terry looked at each other. It had been a few grueling months getting Keriam out of foster care and finalizing the adoption papers. But whatever happened the day Keriam's mother and step-father died in the tragic fire (not tragic to Russell in Zack's opinion after what the bastard had done to his sister and niece), remained locked away as did the girl's spirit.
They were both so happy to have her with them but they were cautious as well. They would let her set the pace. They looked up when they noticed a young girl coming towards them. She wore jeans with a purple t-shirt, brown curls framing her face and dark brown eyes. She smiled at them happily with her hands behind her back. "Hello," terry smiled.
"Hi! Are you new in town?" she asked.
"You can say that," Zack smiled. "I'm Zack, my wife Terry, and my niece Keriam."
"I'm Cheri. Can Keriam come play with me?"
"If she wants to, then yes."
"Great!" She fairly hopped over and held her hand out to the other girl. "It'll be fun."
Keriam timidly put her hand into the Cheri's, allowing the other girl to pull her up from the bench and lead her to the jungle-gym.
"Will you look at that," Zach whispered as he watched Keriam begin climbing.
"Sometimes it takes more than caring adults and therapy to help someone," Terry smiled at her husband.
Keriam climbed up the metal bars beside Cheri, Russell's voice fading away and she no longer heard it. All that she could feel was the warmth of the sun and the beginning of a new friendship and life.
--
Isis watched the two misty mirrors--one portraying Tea and the other one held Keriam and Cheri. Her Daughters went about their lives but the goddess knew that deep inside each of them, they still felt incomplete. Even with the two stars beside the moon to comfort Tea, the Daughter of Osiris still needed her Sisters.
She reached out and gently touched the smooth glass. One day you three will be reunited but for now... take comfort in those around you, she said softly. Keriam and Cheri reached the top and sat there, looking down at their beloved relatives and waved, smiling. Tea opened the door and smiled as she greeted her best friend, a young boy with deep crimson and blonde highlights in his black hair and large violet eyes.
Authors' Notes:
Heikou: And here is the epilogue.
Janime: Even separated Isis continued to watch over them.
Heikou: Hmm I actually was a loud little girl in my time. Only way to make friends I suppose
Janime: I scared everybody.
Heikou: How so?
Janime: In Return to Oz, I was the only one who thought that the lady switching heads was cool. Then again I was in a parochial school so that was basically a no-no to like.
Heikou: Really? I think I hid behind the sofa when they showed that.
Janime: Well this story is now complete.
Heikou: It was fun but I'm glad it's over.
Janime: Ditto. Now we can focus on our other fics.
Heikou: No kidding. Well we want to thank you all who've stuck with us this long.
Janime: This means you Thomas, our No. 1 fan.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed our YGO trilogy: Adelianna, Asevela, -Bleeding Midnight-, Bluespiderman57, Chaosknight, Clever Kitty, Computerfreak101, Daine3, DarkMgcnGirl, Deadlyroses14, Desert Club, Destiny's Dragon, Double0Agent23, Dragon Dagger, Egyptian Warrior, Erica, Ethena, Hope of Stars, Krista, Laura, LoneHowl, Lotosu, Lotus re-incarnate, MarikzAngel, Mechwarrior21, Nekhbet Uto, Pack Raht, Petite, Phoenix Lumen, QueenDragonGoddess, Retaw, Shadowsage Hopesong, Songwind, Tina, Tira's Host, Unita Vis Fortior, Unknown reviewer for chapter 22, xXxNinjitsuXxX, yamione284
Janime: Did we get everyone?
Heikou: I think so.
Both: Thanks for reviewing!
JanimeLee: Heikou: We done?
Janime: We done.
Heikou: Party!
Janime: I'll bring the hot guys!
Joey: We're here!
Bakura: She said "hot guys" not "hot dogs."
Heikou03: Joey: Aah shut up!
Seto: Heel mutt.
Marik: Anyone order a stripper? smirks
Heikou: I call dibs on the Tomb Raider and ole blue eyes! winks
JanimeLee: Janime: looks at Joey and Marik How would you two feel about dressing in Naruto-style outfits (http // w w w . deviantart . com / deviation / 6172203 /) and then stripping?