A/N
One book left. The book I planned years ago, forgot about, and now completely rewrote in my head. The ending. To anyone still here, look for the eventual posting of the final book: The Story of Jane.
Epilogue
The night was deep, leaving darkness all around. The security feeds twitched, cameras tilting and watching the empty halls. Silence. I wish it had been brighter, something warm and comforting, and yet, it was after midnight when I awoke from yet another nightmare. This one was far too real and close, I could still feel the heat on my skin. Things were starting to make sense, and I had to make a difficult choice. I wanted to wake Ashley, but decided not to. I wish I had. Maybe she could've talked me out of it.
I stepped through the halls, footsteps echoing in the nothingness. I had my backpack, packed with spare clothes and my personal blade slung across my waist. I took the elevator down to the floor, watching the doors open into vast darkness. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Why did this feel so wrong?
"I didn't expect you to leave so soon…"
I knew the voice and somehow wasn't surprised to see the shadows part around Seto's purple frame. He looked down on me, eyes glittering with magic. I wanted to yell at him, hit him, fight him for leaving us when we needed him most, point out all the graves, the lives that could've been saved if he had been there, but then again, I didn't know if he's presence would've make any difference.
"Do I have a choice?" I whispered.
"You always have a choice."
"In this, I don't think I do…"
He nodded.
"I'm sorry to not have told you sooner."
"I don't think I would've taken it well…"
"I could not distract you or them."
Them. I thought about each person I was leaving behind, lingering on Ashley, Mitch and Jerome. It hurt. Seto offered his hand. This was my choice. I knew what was going to happen, but how I entered and exited was dependent on this point. I could go back to bed and pretend nothing had happened, but I knew that wasn't a real option. There was no going back.
I took Seto's hand, and we disappeared into the night, as if we'd never been there.