Epilogue

Two Years Later

It was a sunny day in Arcadia Bay as the woman made her way to the top of the cliff. The way to the lighthouse was becoming easier with each journey, even though it still took her most of the day to get there and was gone nightfall by the time she returned home. Still, it gave her something to do each day, staring out over Arcadia Bay and enjoying the feeling of contentment it brought her. Sometimes she'd even stayed there the entire night and made her way back at daybreak. That had been her plan that particular day, but she noticed something different that changed everything. Someone else was already there.

As she got closer, she could see it was a girl maybe a couple of years younger than her. If she was older or younger, it was only by a couple of years. She had shoulder-length brown hair and was wearing a black dress. The woman couldn't see her too well since she was standing facing the sun, but as she made her way over she spotted something about her that was nothing short of alarming: how close she was standing to the edge of the cliff.

"Hey!" she called out to her, causing her to turn. "Are you okay?" The girl didn't respond, choosing instead to shift uncomfortably where she was. In response to her silence, the woman gripped the bars of her wheelchair, hauling herself shakily to her feet.

"Wait, what are you doing?" the girl yelled frantically. The woman tried to walk forwards, managing about a step and a half before her right leg gave out. She was sent sprawling forwards as she landed heavily, knocking the air from her.

"Ah, fuck. It's that right leg again!" she muttered as the girl ran over, wrapping her arms around her to haul her up and get her back in the wheelchair.

"Why the hell would you do that?" she demanded. "If you're unable to walk-"

"Well it got you away from that edge, didn't it?" The woman shrugged nonchalantly. "What were you doing that close anyway?" That one question caused the girl to burst into tears, dropping to her knees as the woman pulled her close as best she could. She let her carry on crying, just letting it all out until she was able to speak again. It took a while, but when she looked up again, her eyes were those of someone who was truly broken.

"My friend Chloe... She died recently. The funeral was today. I just... I loved her. I truly loved her. And I'll never get chance to tell her."

"Was this Chloe Price by any chance?" the woman asked. The girl nodded in response. "Yeah, I heard about that on the TV. It was awful. I know I wasn't on the best of terms with her when we met, but I wouldn't wish that on anyone. Still, I'm glad they brought down Jefferson over it. He's hurt too many people. I hope they strap him to a fucking gurney!" Subconsciously, her hand travelled to the place where her left eye used to be. The bone of her eye socket was still slightly deformed after the reconstruction, the permanent black void where vision on that side should have been was a constant and often migraine-inducing reminder of what had happened.

"But how do you keep on living when the biggest part of you dies?" the girl asked desperately. "What's left?" With that thought in her mind, the woman reached out and gripped the girl's hand. She stared ferociously into her eyes and spoke in a tone that left no room for argument.

"I'd feel the same way if I was you. Hell, I did. For the longest time. Jefferson is the reason I'm in this state now and it cost me everything! But the way out you were about to take is no longer open to us. Once this shit starts affecting those closest to us, costing us their love one way or another, we owe it to those people who can't be near us anymore. We have to carry on. We have to survive. We have to be strong and we have to outlast the bastards that did this in whatever capacity we can! Even if that means living the rest of our lives without the use of our limbs." Abby's hand came up, gently brushing some of the hair from the girl's eyes where it hung like a curtain, covering her falling tears. "That is my answer, and your answer... Max."

End!

Author's Note: Well here it finally is. This is the ending to Enemy Within. It's been a hell of a journey writing my first ever OC fanfic for this fandom and I can't thank you all enough for your support. Now, I bet this ending has left you with a few questions and/or comments about loose ends that are left behind. Hold off on those and let's see if the sequel that's coming soon can wrap up any of them. Thanks again to everyone who's inspired me to keep going on this and just keep writing. Your support means the world to me and it's literally the reason I write these stories at all. You're all amazing and I wouldn't be here now, doing what I love, without all of you behind me.