Hello, readers!
This is it! The final passage in Phantasm! Of course, that's not the end of Nichole and Wolf's tale. If you're new to the series, please know that there IS a finished sequel (Nightmare) and an on-going collection of one-shots (Noctuary) so you're not without something to read! If you're feeling really froggy, you could read my FNAF fanfic which stars Nichole. It's not really canon, so don't take it too seriously.
Please let me know what you thought about it! As well, if there are any specific scenes or scenarios that would work well for a one-shot featuring any character within the Noctivagant series, feel free to request it! I'm also looking for stuff to fill out Noctuary with. Be sure to check out my profile for playlists, fun facts, fan art, and anything else that might interest you.
Thanks for all your support and I hope I continue to entertain you with the story of Nichole and Wolf!
This chapter has been updated as of 11/1/2017.
*9/10/18 EDIT - I slipped and edited the first chapter, splitting it into two parts. WHOOPS.*
~ Crayola
Epilogue
Tomorrow Came
I had to look the part. I had to act the part. I couldn't give them any reason to be suspicious of my motives. I had been careful, meticulous even. What did they have to be suspicious of, anyway?
"There's a lot of rigorous training involved. Do you think you can handle it?"
Uncomfortable dark-gray slacks: check. Itchy white blouse: check. Slightly too-tight flats: check. A jacket that was tough to move in: check. It was my official "first day on the job, dress to impress" outfit. Once I took a saw what everyone else wore on a day to day basis, I could adjust.
"You're already qualified, really. Not many people know of the existence of alien life outside our solar system."
My fingers wove strands of my ashy-brown hair into a single braid; it lay flat at the center of my back, barely reaching the bottom of my shoulder blades. They plucked short bangs into position in front of my face. Every lock in place. I smoothed back strays and tamed them with hairspray.
"Whatever position you think would fit, you can be schooled or take training for it."
The last addition of makeup concealed the visible scars peeking out from under the v-line of my shirt: gnarled burn scars that wrapped from shoulder blade to clavicle. An alien symbol denoting that I was more than human. That there was someone waiting for my call.
But it didn't feel like me if I couldn't see them. I stared at my reflection a while, then washed the makeup away. If people started to complain, I would cover them up but I wasn't ashamed.
They were a badge of honor.
"We'll be in touch when you finish high school."
Even now, years after the accident, I found it difficult to stand in one place for too long. Moving was easier, and regular jogs kept me active. I'd had two more surgeries to help lessen the limp.
I stood back from the mirror, straightened my clothes one last time, and took a few deep breaths. Hanging from the corner of my vanity was a talisman made of leather and fangs. I ran my fingertips over the line of digit-sized teeth, then turned away to my dresser.
"There's a series of background checks. You'll need a certain level of security clearance to work with us. It could take a while, on top of all the training. . . ."
As was becoming a habit, I pulled open the third drawer from the bottom and shoved aside my shirts, revealing the computer Wolf had loaned me. I flipped the top back to show the strange symbols, and, with a finger, pantomimed the sequence that would call him to me.
All I could do for now was hope that he hadn't forgotten about me. The last thing I needed was to wait for one of his kind to show up for a hunting trip, then have to convince them to take me along for the ride.
Though, wasn't that was his mark was for?
With the code now committed not only to memory, but to my mind, body, and soul, I buried the piece of technology once more before heading out the door. The government had paid for my move and provided rent vouchers until I started receiving paychecks.
Twenty years old and I already had a career, no matter how temporary. I couldn't help the shit-eating grin that pulled at my lips. Here I come, motherfuckers.
I had a job to do.
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